DRINKING IN BRITAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11593, 11 January 1916, Page 4

DRINKING IN BRITAIN.

STRINGENT WAR BOARD RULES

LONDON, November 20.

How thoroughly temperance- is being enforced in Great Britain is shown by the first report published by the Central Control Board for the liquor traffic, a. sub-depari:moi;t of }lr Lloyd George's Ministry or. Munitions. Tliis department was created at- the end of May, 1010, ostensibly for the purpose of suppressing extensive drinking in the munition areas, but its powers have proved such as to onabkle- it to control drink in all classes of communities, without- exception. Tbe report, which will be placed in the hands of. Parliament next week, and has not. yet been published in London, shows drunkenness is decidedly on the decrease in the United Kingdom. The limitation of hours when intoxicants may be sold, the' abolition of treating, the restricting of the amount of liquor which may be taken from saloons for consumption in private, and ther regulations, have resulted, according tp the board, in conditions thoroughly justifying the rigid measures.

There has been, considerable diminution, both in prosecutions aixl convictions, for drunkenness. Prosecutions formerly amounting in English and Welsh areas to 7:1-1 per week have fallen to 417, or over 40 per ceciu. Corresponding figures for Scooiaud are 695 and 585. The ■bo.-rrd says it has boon shewr* that no .amount of regulations can affect chronic inebriates, as in certain areas some of the convicted persons had been punished more than one hundred times previously, many more than fifty times, and a considerable portion inoru than tweuty times. Reports from ports say that there has been great improvement in labour conditions. Drunkenness among the sailors, firemen and deckers has diminished. Crews signed are more sober and ships are able to get away with, much less delay. This refers especially to transport crews taking troops to Franco aud the Dardanelles.