THE PUBLIC-HOUSE PROBLEM.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5517, 20 September 1892, Page 4

THE PUBLIC-HOUSE PROBLEM.

Dr Jayne, Bishop of Chester, has written s letter to the London Times, of August 2cd,oc the drink question, whioh has attracted much attention. Tho need of stimulants he considers a natural human craving, corresponding almost to a natural healthy instinct ; to endeavour to eradicate this as those " who taVe the darker view of alcohol do " he considers a hopeless undertaking. He recognises, however, the evils of the abuse of stimulants, and as a remedy, proposes that the State, acting throngh the county connoils, should take over and reorganise the publio houses. This is his sketch of the publio bouse of the future :— " The State, through its local authorities and instrumentalities, must with a firm and liberal hand undertake the provision of houses of refreshment for the people, m whioh alcoholic beverages, though frankly recognised, will be deposed from the aggressive supremacy and supplied under less seductive conditions. These conditions would, for eismple, be comfortable, spacious, well ventilated accommodation, temperance drinks of every kind brought well to the front, invested with prestige and supplied m the moßt convenient, attractive, and igexpensive way; tbe pecuniary interest of the managers (e.g., m the form of boDus) made to depend entirely on the sale of eatables and non-alcoholic beverages ; alcoholio liquors scoured against adulteration j newspapers, indoor games, and where practicable, outdoor games and mueia provided ; while tbe mere drink shop, tbe gin palace, and ' the bar ' — that pernioioua incentive to drinking (or drinking' « sake — woald be utterly abolished." The Times, criticising the scheme said that ie would exoite no small commotion among the fanatical opponents of the use of BtrODg drinks.