THE DRINK QUESTION
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR; Lord Balfour of Burleigh, in his allusion under the above heading to my letter, which you were good enough to print in your issue of July 11th, hardly displays his usual accuracy. I did not desire to put forward my own opinion as to the Oxford Bill, but to remind Lord Dunmore of the opinions of his fellow Peers as recorded by the majority vote on the division on that measure. It is impossible for me to state exactly what financial terms the Trade would consider fair in the event of Parliament deciding to acquire their business and properties. Much must depend upon time and circumstance.
But the proposals in the Oxford Bill and those of the Sumner Committee rest upon two entirely different and incom- patible bases. In the Oxford Bill the underlying principle is that the State shall acquire millions of pounds' worth of pro- perty practically without any outlay on its own part, which approximates to confiscation. That of the Sumner Committee was to the effect that the State as purchaser should find the purchase money—a practice for which precedent can be called in aid.
Meanwhile I conceive that it is not part of my duty to prove helpful to Lord Balfour of Burleigh and his friends in the promotion of a scheme which, in my opinion, will be neither of advantage to the community nor of benefit to the State.-1
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