TEMPERANCE.
FRENCH METHODS. The only temperance societies one hears much about in Franco are the anti-alcoholic group in the Chamber of Deputies and a similar society in the Senate. They are not well-known to the general public, but are none the less important in view of the general opinion that they have a very good raison d'etre. The plan of campaign of these groups is different from that of the average temperance society in other countries. Instead of proceeding in an omnibus manner against every kind of drink which contains any alcohol, the reformers are concentrating their efforts against absinthe. The right, which thus far, it must be admitted, is not forcibly impressed upc-n the public conscience, is against alcohol. Thy cry, which is faint, except in the mouths of the loaders, is "Down with alcohol." One phase of the crusade which must appear curious to the x\nglo-Saxon temperance reformer i« that in this French form of fighting the term " alcohol " is not mad-e to comprise wines, beens, cordials, cognacs and the other thousand and one kinds of alcoholic beverages. All of these seem to be overlooked or complacently ignored as health beverages. FIGHT CENTRES ON ABSINTHE. Absinthe,, however, is singled out as a sort of hydra or mixi-otanv which is devouring the nations population, _ and, therefore, absinthe must bo banished, or at least its sale must bo restricted . If criticism were permitted, one might call nttcntio-n. to the opinion held my many obeervero that in the average French cafe the .bourgeois asks much 'move frequently for such fiery concoctioriis rg cheap cognac, or rum, or cr.lvndoes than for the supposedly terrible absinthe. The present war, however, is beino; waged strictly against absinthe. _ It i« reasonable to suppose that this I is duo to the example recently set by the Federal and cantonal action in Switzerland, which promises to banish absinthe entirely from the little mountain, republic. SCOFFERS HINT AT "SHAKEDOWN." The common understanding is that the best quality of absinthe is made in Franco at- Pontarlier, and the cheap grades in other parts of France and Switzerland. Accordingly the anti-alco-holic group in Parliament professes to avoid waging war on cheap absinthe to the advantage -of ono particular brand, which is said to be the best ; but fcvtxiffor« are prone to- insinuate that tne ■ alleged reformers aro only seeking to nhako down the rich absinthe distillers. But the na.rn.es of the men engaged in the movement would argue against any such supposition. For instance, Ribot. the former Pros-ident of tiio Chamber of Deputies, lends the anti-r.lcoholic group in tho Chamber, and Charles Dupuy, ■also a form pi- President of tho Chamber, is the lender of the .<rrt>up in the Sor'nto. Statistics say that 3-iO.OOO hocbolitres. or in voun dnumbers about 9,000.000 p-Jlon* -nf absinthe were drunk in France in 1000. Alarm if raised now beevms-p, while formerly absinthewas drunk only in the better class of enfes in tho cities, now it is common o-n tin' counter.--; cf the ordinary wineskop'j thrcudiont tho country.
TEMPERANCE.
Star (Christchurch), Issue 8953, 12 June 1907, Page 2
Log in