THE DRINK QUESTION
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—Mr. Whitbread has made the reply to my letter which was to be anticipated. It is impossible to draw the moral without being somewhat personal, but fortunately, Mr. Whit- bread's own reputation as a philanthropist and citizen stands so high as to prevent my personality being offensive, at all events in his case. For what is the gist of Mr. Whitbread's reply ? It is impossible for him to commit himself on the question of compensation even to the extent of admitting the fairness of the Sumner Committee's Report. It is not part of his duty, either as an individual brewer or as chairman of the National Trade Defence Association, to be helpful in solving the drink problem. No better illustration is required of the difficulty which must always exist so long as the Liquor Trade is in private hands. The interest of the Trade, which is to increase consumption, is directly opposed to the interest of the nation, which is to diminish it, and when it comes to legislation, so far as the Trade is concerned, business is business and must come first to those engaged in it. Hence the Trade's extensive political organization.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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