Im the last thirty years the number of public-houses in
the country has been reduced by twenty thousand, while the population has steadily grown. The legislation which has brought this about may, therefore, be counted as successful so far as its purpose has been to lessen temptation to drinkers and incitement to drink-sellers to compete in attracting
custom. The purpose was good but within narrow limits. It certainly does not satisfy Mr. Williams who waves the banner of the True Temperance Association and begs us to trutst the brewers. All would then be well, so enlightened is theiir self- interest. This is as near as he comes to persuading us to follow his flag. We do believe that in countless directions
more progress has been due to the free play of enlightened self-interest than to anything else, and it might produce many ",New Public Houses," the refined and cheerful houses of entertainment for the traveller by road in the country or the seeker after. harmless recreation and refreshment in the towns. Mr. Williams gives some attractive photographs of already "improved ". houses. But this is by no means the whole problem, and Mr. Williams only plays upon the surface of a very deep matter. For instanee, though he gives in full the Bill of the True Temperance Association for dis- tinguishing with favours "improved" public-houses, the Bishop of Oxford's Bill is not mentioned except in a footnote.
Mr. Williams condemns State purchase on the obvious ground that State-trading is as a rule bad for the State; the' trade
and the public (and we also agree that instances of "dis- interested management" may already be found here and there), but he does not attempt to deal with the arguments that we have often stated in favour of State purchase in this Particular trade.
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