THE PERMISSIVE BILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 8, 21 June 1873, Page 5

THE PERMISSIVE BILL.

How is drunkenness to be prevented, or at least abated? Enthusiasts tell us by means of the Permissive Bill, if passed into law. There are many who would be glad to be able to' agree in this opinion. But, unfortunately, the past history, of this terrible vice affords but slander grounds for thinking that legislation can effect a cure. Maine Liquor Liws have failed, and so have all laws hitherto made for this end. Drunkenness can only be prevented by an universal and deeply-seated conviction that it is an infamous viee — degrading, demoralizing, and contemptible. This, however, legislation cannot create. Moral means alone, such as teaching, example, and the usages of society, can implant such a conviction in the minds of the mass of mankind.

How do men commonly regard drunkenness 1 Not as a vice, but rather as a weakness ; and what is the usual excuse for the other grievous crimes of drunkards 1 Oh, well, you know, he was drunk when he did so and so. Public opinion is more responsible for the spread and continuance of this horrid vice than men are willing to admit. According to the legislation of some countries — Holland, for example, — drunkenness, instead of being an excuse, is an aggravation of crimes committed in it. Let Colonial legislation embody such a principle, and more, by a great deal, will be clone t© put down this vice than a Permissive Bill will be ever able to effect.

How is it that, on the Continent of Europe drunkenness is so little known 1 ? There the people have wine, brandy, beer, and other similar drinks in abundance, and yet a drunken man is hardly ever seen, and a drunken woman never. This is a curious and very important problem. Many reasons can be assigned, with some of which it is not our intention to dial to-day. But it often struck us that two things have largely contributed to this happy state of society. One is, the way in which the people have been brought up, and the ideas that have been instilled into them as to the propriety and necessity ot moderation in eating and drinking, as not only becoming in a Christian and civilized man, but also as highly conducive to health of mind and body ; the other is, the abundant means of innocent recreation provided for the masses.

Whilst speculating on this subject, it often struck us that the Reformation, as it is called, of the 16th century, is a good deal to blame in this matter, and one thing, at all events, is certain, that wherever it gained the ascendant, there drunkenness prevailed. The contrast between " the Protestant and Catholic States of Europe in this p irtic ular is most striking Whilst the Reformation on the one hand, abolished the ridiculed the Catholic practice of fast and abstinence on and other it abolished popular holidays, and converted! Sunday into what everybody knows as the dismal Sabbarh of Puritanism. The people, deprived of rational amusemowt and

recreation, not unnaturally sought compensation in the Reformation virtues of eating and drinking, till the excitement of ardent spirits became a national amusement and degenerated into a national vice j and, in the case of unfortunate Ireland the desolation caused by thepenal laws became an additional stimulant to such indulgence. If the vice of drunkenness can be cured, it will not be by such legislation as the Permissive BUI, but by judicious training of the young, and affording the masses sufficient means of rational enjoyment. As for" ourselves, we must say we are totally opposed to this Permissive BUI, because we entertain no doubt whatever that it would not have the slightest effect in diminishing drunkenness, and because we are convinced it would be used as an instrument of injustice and oppression, of conspiracy and cabal, and would become a means of rousing national antipathies. There is one thing, however, which legislation might do, and ought to do. Inspectors might be appointed, who would examine all drinks sold, in order to ascertain whether or not they contained ingredients injurious to health. Were this done, and the vendor of adulterated liquors to be deprived of his license and heavUy fined, a very great deal of good would be effected. 6