SECBET DRINKING IN CANADA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 668, 24 December 1902, Page 31

SECBET DRINKING IN CANADA.

Some interesting notes on the drinking habits of Canadians are furnished in a letter published by the “ Daily News ” for its special correspondent now touring the Dominion in company with several other London journalists. “It is a rare thing,” he says, “ to see any wine, malt liquor, or Other intoxicant on a dinner - table in Canada. A good deal of drinking takes place, but not in the open. In England, to drink intoxicants is social orthodox ; in Canada, not to drink intoxicants is social orthodoxy.” In England, he thinks, temperance legislation lags behind public opinion, in Canada it has got ahead, and in most of the provinces the law is so stringent that it is disregarded with only a pretence cf disgitise. “ One Sunday morning we ai - rived at a large hotel in an eastern city, and, after a night of much travelling and little sleep, there were those in the party who wished for milk 1 and brandy. We were smilingly informed that to serve liquor on that day, even to persons staying at the hotel, was illegal : and straightway were we conducted to a bedroom, where the sta-tute-book was defied.” In another city the writer and a friend wanted a drink on Sunday, and on asking a policeman where it could be got, he directed them to a place where twenty or thirty men were drinking. One opinion on the liquor question in Canada which was given to the correspondent, was of especial interest, as the speaker was an Anglican clergyman, the Rev. H. A. Gray, of Edmonton, Alberta, who from his work in promoting a most successful Young Men’s Institute, seems to be a, person of some influfence’ and activity in social and religious circles? “ I sometimes feel,”*-j he said, “ that, drunkenness would be preferable to prevailing Hypocrisy. Things are not as bad as they were in this province when total prohibition prevailed. Temperance is a fine thing,, but truth is finer ; and I was glad whm bur . Provincial Parliament substituapft*.#nesJicehsing system for total prohibition.’? ?: • • ;