25 JANUARY 1930, Page 18

LORD D'ABERNON'S TEMPERANCE POLICY

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sia,—Lord Astor says that he is- " intrigued." He cannot understand why, if Lord D'Abernon has "a new epoch-making policy " he does not produce it in the House of Lords or before the Licensing Commission. He says that " up to now " the scheme has " only been expounded in Lord D'Abernon's•name by Pruden Futuri." This is not . so. • Lord D'Abernon explained his scheme in a remarkable introduction to a remark- able book. I mean The Alcohol Problem by Dr. Vernon. Is it possible that some copies of Dr. Vernon's admirable -work did not contain the Introduction ? Only a few days ago I was reading a review of the book in Monthly Notes, the organ of the Temperance Legislation League, and was surprised to notice that the enthusiastic reviewer did not mention the Introduc- tion.

But, after all, why should not Lord D'Abenaon use the Spectator for the expression of his views ? Is not a newspaper a very proper place for discussion ? As, however, Lord Astor disapproves of this method I think it only right to say—and I am sure that you, Sir, will confirm my statement—that it was at your special invitation that Lord D'Abernon consented to state his policy in collaboration with me.—I am, Sir, &c., PRUDENS FUTURI. [Our correspondent correctly states that Lord D'Abernon expressed his views in the columns of the Spectator at our request.—En. Spectator.]