THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 675, 12 February 1903, Page 20

THE NEW LICENSING ACT.

The new Licensing Act, which came into operation in England on January 17, promises to work a small social revolution in England. Drunkenness, which for some time has been a social misdemeanour, punishable only if accompanied by disorder, is now a legal offence of itself. Moreover, the habitual drunkard becomes a fully labelled outcast of society. The police are drawing up a blacK list in each district of all persons who have been convicted thrice of drunkenness during the year. The list and photographs will be supplied to all publicans, who will be heavily fined, and, on repeated offence, will lose their license if they sell drink to those blacklisted. Persons treating habitual drunkards 1 will be heavily fined, as also will intoxicated persons in charge of infants. The police have received instructions to apply . the law with common sense, lest excessivs stringency in carrying out the law beyond the limits of public approval should make it a dead letter. One London magistrate, evidently fears this result, for he says : “We are becoming a soberer people every year without the ai'd of legislation. Coercion is rather a reflection upon English self-esteem. Speaking off the Bench, I think the new Act a trifle -superfluous.”