[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—The objection to State Purchase is not confined to Temper- ance extremists. If the food position be as serious as the Govern- meet represents, the nation has the right to expect the immediate prohibition of the use of foodstuffs, including malt and Philippine sugar, for beer or potable spirit, and that the vast hoard of potable spirit in bond—the amount on January 31st was 157,067,009 gallons—shall be drawn upon to satisfy munition and industrial requirements. Whether such action be called the Prohibition of Alcohol or the Conservation of Food is immaterial; but if the war lasts much longer, it is inevitable. State Purchase could be raised later. It would be a very complex measure, especially in Scotland, where the fixing of a fair price would be difficult owing to the advent of Local Option in 1920. If State Purchase be rushed through in time to affect this season's food question, the price paid would probably be extravagant. The measure requires careful preparation and full discussion. A majority of
the Labour Party would probably support State Purchase owing to the votes of the Socialists, delighted with this opportunity to nationalize a big industry, and of those anxious to give every tax- payer a financial interest in the maintenance of the liquor trade, in the hope that this would render Local Option ineffective.—I am,
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