Mr. Cross has at last endeavoured to fulfil the promises
made by his party to the Publicans. He brought in his Bill on Monday, and as the teetollers pronounce it disgraceful, and the publicans unsatisfactory, there is a strong presumption that it is pretty fair. The hours are extended to 12.30 p.m. in town, 11.30 in towns above 10,000 inhabitants, and 11 in the country, and might just as well have been made half an hour later. The special provision against adulteration is abolished, and the liquor-sellers left to the ordinary law, which would be quite severe enough, if. the Alliance would only prosecute ; but they, we imagine, think .sound liquor might pro tanto spoil their case. The magistrates' are to use their discretion in endorsing a licence for the first offence, and persons building public-houses may obtain licences before they are built. These rules seem fair, but we are a little doubtful about the return to the old system of police in- terference only when order is to be maintained, as that generally involves a summons of the police by people who do not want to Summon them. The great thing, however, is to confine the irade to respectable people who do not want disorder, or to capitalists who are afraid Wit, and security for the licence tends directly that way. If a licence is to be held, as it were, at the will of the police, none but desperate men will become publicans, which would be an evil to everybody. The measure seems to have been received very quietly everywhere, and, let us hope, will set the dispute at rest, at least till the people are ready for better plans.
