TEMPERANCE REFORM IN THE NEW PARLIA- MENT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
SIR,—Mr. Hughes's letter has struck the right note. It is time for a "United Temperance party" to be formed. As one who was closely connected with the Local Option move- ment in Bristol, and since that time with the Manchester Committee and the Church of England Temperance Society, I have learned the hopelessness of the attempt to unite all opinion in favour of any one reform taken by itself. The only thing to aim at, in my judgment, is to recognise that the liquor retail traffic in any district must be placed under local and popular control, and to permit or require the local authorities to deal with it in one of several specified ways. I can scarcely imagine that the advocates of any one scheme would resist a proposal to permit a locality to adopt a rival scheme, if that locality had equal power to adopt their own. Legislation must be experimental, and it is only by experi- ment that we shall find out which system works best. The preliminary condition is to secure an equitable settlement of the compensation of the present license-holders. Nothing can be done while this blocks the way. This question can only be settled when the leaders of reform schemes agree on some compromise, such as the giving notice of the termination of licenses, with the option of sale previous to the termination.
It is certain that the whole force of the Church of England will be thrown on the side of reform. It could not generally support Sir William Harcourt's Bill ; but it will support one that is more just and workable and durable and hopeful, and is not so purely negative. We want better public refresh- ment and meeting rooms for the people, real dining and drawing rooms for them, and not only less drink sold. Among the alternative systems which any Town Council ought to be permitted to adopt is that which is best described as the "Popular Control." It is understood that Aberdeen and Dundee are ready to adopt this system as soon as it is sanctioned by Parliament. Birmingham has experi- mented successfully on these lines in the Waterworks village. It is, of course, an adaptation of the Scandinavian plan. Will Mr. Hughes go on with his work, and invite a conference of the leaders of the Temperance Reform, and initiate some common-sense policy P It is an unequalled opportunity. Or will the Bishop of Chester take the initiative P—I am, Sir, &c.,
Rochdale Vicarage, August 5th.
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