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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 815, 19 October 1905, Page 24

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“ L.V. Gazette,” September 8)

Many questions of importance to the rade will be discussed at the half-yearly leeting of the General Council of the icensed Victuallers’ National Defence eague, which will be opened at the ngel Hotel, Peterborough, on Wednesay, October 11, and continued on the blowing day. A special meeting of the arliamentary Committee will precede ie council meetings. The first, question n the agenda is that of beer hawking, nd a resolution will be proposed for its ippression. Another subject will he ie sale of beei - and stout by weight, and be inquiries which have been made by

the .secretary and manager—Mr. H. Geo. Robinson—in reference to this proposed change will be embodied in a report to the council.

But perhaps the most important question of all in view of the coming general election is the direct representation of the Trade in Parliament. This has been dropped for the time being by the Central Board, but is likely to be tackled with some amount of vigour by the Defence League. The council propose to formulate a scheme for the acceptance of the affiliated associations. Two points stand out prominently in connection with this matter. The first is to nominate the candidate, the next is to find a constituency in which he would have a good chance of being returned. If Aiderman Morrall, who has done such good work as president of the League, would consent to stand, there is little doubt that he would have the united support oi the Trade, and that a constituency in the Midlands could be found for him. The discussion on the subject by the council will be awaited with interest.

Members of the Trade know how very difficult it is to combat the charge of permitting drunkenness on licensed premises. The “ drunk” may have slipped in unawares, and the license-holder may be perfectly ignorant of his presence, yet when he is seen to leave the premises “ tottering to a fall” the police consider they have no alternative but to ask for a summons. Again, the “drunk” may have entered the house and been refused drink. In all such prosecutions the magistrates usually take into consideration the manner in which the house has been conducted. This was the case in connection with the prosecution of Mrs. Wilkes, the licensee of the Three Horse Shoe Inn, Darlaston, who stoutly denied that the “drunk” was served in her house. It came out in evidence that the landlady had not only owned the inn for seventeen years—during which time there had not been a single case against her—but that

the house had been in her family for fifty years, and, as counsel for the defendant said, “it was indeed something to be proud of that it had not the slightest stain upon it.” And so evidently thought the magistrate, who dismissed the charge. There was no doubt, he said, that the man was drunk on the premises, but it was not proved that it was with the knowledge or consent of the license-holder.

Compare this decision with that which was given the other day by the Tividale Bench in a somewhat similar case. Two brothers were found in the Brickmaker's Arms Inn, and the landlord was summoned for permitting drunkenness. He admitted that the men were drunk, and stated what every publican only knows to be too true, “ It takes one all one’s time to look after them. They pull themselves together when they come in, and then afterwards they are drunk.” It was admitted that the house was in a very rough neighbourhood, and that the defendant had done his best to manage thejiouse properly. It was also pointed out that he was leaving the house, and that he was hopeful of taking another without a conviction being recorded against him. The magistrates, however, said the defendant knew his obligation, and fined him £5, including costs; yet they admitted that the man “ had the reputation of having well conducted his house.” In view of the increasing prosecutions for permitting drunkenness on licensed premises license-holders cannot be too careful, and as soon as a drunken man is observed he should be got off the premises with the least possible delay. The police may be called upon to eject him. At the same time one could wish that the police would hasten to warn the landlord or his servant as soon as an intoxicated person is seen to enter licensed premises. Many a prosecution would thus be obviated.

Restaurant life in Paris is to possess many charms to those engaged in it, but it may be hoped that the extraordinary custom which is said to obtain in a certain cafe in the suburbs of the Gay City will not be introduced into restaurants on this side of the channel Every customer, it appears, whose bill amounts to a shilling or oyer is entitled to receive a kiss from the very attractive young lady who acts as cashier to the establishment, and so used has she become to the osculatory routine that she goes

through it without reticence, looking upon it merely as a matter of business. It is reported that the proprietor of the restaurant is more than satisfied with the result of his curious device for attracting patrons. This may be, but a day’s kissing from promiscuous customers would be more than sufficient for any English waitress or barmaid. Adventitious aids to business of this kind are certainly to be deprecated.

What is whisky? Mr. Fordham, who tried the celebrated brandy case, is, it appears, to be called upon to decide this point, and the case which is creating so much interest among the Trade—both wholesale and retail—is now finally set down for October 2 at the North London Police Court, the prosecution having been instituted by the Islington Borough Council. One may expect quite an array of counsel. The Scotch and Irish distillers will be represented, and the Central Board, it is understood, will look after the interests of the retail Trade. The “ Daily Mail” claims to have done much to stir up the authorities who are charged with the administration .of the Food and Drugs Act by the publication of the correspondence on “Frauds on the Label” which recently created so much intere t. Indeed these letters may possibly have led to the prosecution.

The United States Government, itsaid, has already decided to take action in regard to the matter by prohibiting the importation of all whiskies unless labelled describing the contents of each bottle. Blended and unblended whiskies are to be clearly notified. This action is calculated to seriously interfere with theexport trade, and at a time when the distillers of the United Kingdom have been counting on the United States as one of the best markets. The British Consul at Boston, in his last report, says: — “The increase in the use of Scotch whisky is very marked, and it is to some extent displacing wine in clubs and restaurants where formerly wine was ordered. Scotch whisky sells better and is more advertised than Irish whisky.” The Board of Trade returns —which are analysed in this column every month—show how greatly the trade has improved. The value of the British and Irish spirits imported by the United States from this country last year was £400,000, as compared ' with ’ £245,000 in 1900. There has been an annual increase, the quantity last year being 780,267 gallons.

“ Pony and food, please.’’ This, we are assured, is the almost general request by customers entering a certain publichouse at the corner of a narrow street in the City Road, London. What is meant is a small glass of ale and a sandwich, and a halfpenny for each is the price paid. A large and profitable trade, it is said, is being carried on with a complete absence of drunkenness. This is not the first halfpenny licensed house that has been started in London. There is -another on the Surrey side of the water near the Elephant and Castle which, it is understood, is doing good business, not to say a roaring trade. The City Road establishment was formerly known as the Britannia, and the owners, a firm of brewers, claim to have solved the temperance problem. “No drink without food” is the motto, though food can be had without drink, and it is estimated that 11.000 patrons bought sandwiches during the first six days. There was a profit on the food of 26 per cent. The success of this experiment by the Colchester Brewery Company will doubtless lead to similar methods being adopted by other owners of public-houses in the poorer parts of London.