(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:9
Sin,—As one for very many years past deeply interested in the legal enactments relating to the sale of alcohol, may I add my voice in approval and support of the articles which the Spectator has been publishing in favour of the nationalization of the drink traffic. I am (unfortunately) old enough to know that Prohibition will not come to pass during my lifetime, even if Lwere to live for another thirty years. Meantime all agree that there is a great present evil to be remedied. I believe frankly in Democracy, and I have no fear that the people of this country (including those who are now brewers or brewery shareholders) will neglect to do away with the evils of the drink traffic which they see and recognize if once they find themselves unhampered by any feeling that their action will destroy the property or the livelihood of a number of citizens. I have no doubt of success when an appeal is made to people to forgo some pleasure, or even some cherished habit, in order that the bulk of the community may be great gainers. But it is of little avail to appeal for a reform which the public know will inflict damage upon a number of individuals. The deep sense of " Let live " has a great moral backing. The nocompromise Prohibitionist has not even learnt the lesson which is so clear to all who are acquainted with the proceedings of Licensing Tribunals before and after the passing of the Licensing Act, 1904. Before the passing of that Act the argument that succeeded in obtaining the renewal of countless licences was an appeal to the hardship upon individuals which would result from their extinction. Since then it has been almost impossible to obtain the renewal of licences when there is sufficient money in the Compensation Fund to pay for their extinction. I am no lover of the Act of 1904, but there is a lesson to be learned from it. Once the voters in this country know that the trade in alcoholic drink belongs to them, they will deal with it as they wish; and he must indeed be a pessimist who believes that they will not prune away its evils, and continue the pruning until no great evil remains obvious. Whether or not that will eventually result in the death of the traffic in alcoholic drink it is really not necessary to decide.—
I am, Sir, &c., R. M. MONTGOMERY. Temple.
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