Public House Reform.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXII, 31 May 1902, Page 1094

Public House Reform.

Oui readers are doubtless aware that there is being formed in Dunedin an organisation called the Public House Re form ami Prevention of Intemperance Association, having for its object the buying up of licensed hotels, paying the present occupants full value, ami then working them by means of siliri d managers and employees, under st r ot sii|»erintemlv!ice. It will he evident th .t worked in this manner, the managers ami employees will have no inducement

to encourage the sale of intoxicants; nor to sell to men partially intoxicated; nor to break the law by sly grog selling at unlawful hours; as they would gain no profit by so doing, whilst, if discovered. they would immediately lose their billets. It may lie said, that if the managers do not profit by enhanced sa'es, yet the Association and its share holders would so profit, and thus private cupidity is not eliminated, but simply transferred from the manager to the shareholder. To prevent this an I absolutely eliminate the profit mad • from the sale of drink, from both man

ager and shareholder, a maximum dividend will be fixed, beyond which the shareholders will receive no benefit from the sales of drink, all other profit that may be made being expended in the purchase of other hotels, and thus further the principle under which the Association has been started, viz., public house reform, and the prevention of publie drunkenness. The formation of a company for the objects set forth above is not a novelty. Such companies have been formed with great success in many large towns and villages in both England and Scotland.

THE PROMOTERS OF THE PUBLIC HOUSE REFORM ASSOCIATION.