THE CHURCHES AND THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. (To THE EDITOR or
THE " SPECTATOR.") Sui,—Your readers who are interested in the Temperance cause will recollect the agreement on various points of reform, including Local Option (covering exclusion, reduction, and no change), which was reached by the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Free Churches of England and Wales some years ago, when Councils were formed in London and elsewhere for furthering the agreed reforms. Unfortunately, these proposals still remain on paper only—not by a step has their accomplishment since been advanced. Impressed by this fact the Executive of the Liverpool Council recently adopted unanimously the following resolution:— " The Liverpool Executive of the Temperance Council of the Christian Churches, unable to see any prospect of obtaining the principal reforms specified in the Nine Points,' especially that of Local Option, until the question of compensation is dealt with in a way to remove it as a barrier to progress, feel constrained to express their conviction as to the necessity of this fact being recognized. The Executive further believe that so long as the common sale of intoxicating drink remains in private hands no material remedy will be found for the dangers and mischiefs of the traffic, and they are therefore of opinion that the additional option of 'Public Control' should be included in any Local Option arrangements."
Amongst the members of the Council who have given their support to this resolution are the Lord Bishop of Liverpool, the Catholic Archbishop, the Rector of Liverpool, the Archdeacons of Liverpool and Warrington, the Director of Education, and other influential clergymen and laymen.
The significance of the resolution will, I think, be recognized, coming from the quarter it does, in that (a) acknowledgment is made of the necessity of facing the compensation problem if any early and real progress is to be secured, whilst (b) the view is definitely expressed that there should be included in any local Option scheme the option of " Public Control " (under State Purchase) as an alternative to the present system of interested sale in all localities where the people vote for the continuance of the liquor traffic.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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