Mr. Bright, on Saturday, made a very striking speech
to a deputation of licensed victuallers. He told them that they were a thousand times more frightened than lurt by the local-option agitation ; that the end sought -would benefit the publicans, by shutting up the low houses, of which they themselves were ashamed ; and that if they sustained any injury from restrictive legislation, the Liberals would give them compensation. He was himself, and had always been, in favour of transferring the licensing power to the Municipal Councils. He maintained that except during the last two years, when all trade had been bad, public- house property, under a Government generally Liberal, had im- mensely increased in value ; and declared that the publicans 'had, pecuniarily, as little to fear from Liberals, as the landlords found they had from the Free-traders. He was strongly in favour of Sunday closing, but held that publicans would be far 'wiser to consult with all parties, than by their present attitude 'to create an impression that they were fixedly hostile to a great party which must rule the country some day. The deputation thanked him, and listened most attentively, but declared that the matter for them was one of life and death, the very exist- ence of their trade being concerned.
Previous page
