Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] MONDAY, JULY 6, 1903. THE LIQUOR QUESTION AT HOME.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7504, 6 July 1903, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] MONDAY, JULY 6, 1903. THE LIQUOR QUESTION AT HOME.

It is gratifying to observe that the abuses of the Liquor Traffic, at Homo, are engaging tho serious attention of politicians, and the more thoughtful sections of the public. It seems certain that in a very short time the evil consequences of intamperance will be much lessened, and that liquor will no longer be permitted to be the nation's curse. For this progressive movement the English-speaking world will experience a feeling of gratitude, and will readily join in acknowledging the persistent and praiseworthy object of the reformers. There is a remarkable feature about the movement of amelioration in England which distinguishes it from the campaign in New Zealand; and that is the greater popularity of the theory of regulation of tho traffic than of Prohibition. Tho teetotal mind in New Zealand is ardently favourable to Prohibition. In England there seems to be a consensus of opinion in favour of regulating tho trade ; and tho Gothenburg system is proving more acceptable as a basis of reform. " State control of the liquor traffic " is what' it is increasingly sought to carry into effect, Messrs Joseph Bowntree and Arthur Sberwell who represented the best and most earnest, as well as the most intelligent, of the reforming agencies, have come for ward with a pamphlet, which is regarded in England as the most notable contribution to the literature of the subject that has yet been made in the way of indicating tho lines of legislation. Their proposal is, in brief, a system of local option on the subject of Prohibition, and Municipal or State control of thetraffic in localites where Prohibition ia not adopted. By these means, the Prohibitionists are conciliated ; and the Hj/uofcj consumer certainly cannot grumble if, in future, he buys his beer or |rom tho State, instead of from the monopolist. He will', probably, get better alcoholic stuff, and he yvilj assuredly keep.better hours, and his morals will'run less risk of injury ; for the supplementary'attractions of the licensed house of the present regime will be abolished. It will,'under State eon.trol, become a house of reasonable refreshment and social intercourse.