We notice with no little satisfaction the announcements which 'have
appeared in the newspapers that the Government-have adopted State 'Purchase for .the Liquor Trade in principle, and that a-Com- .rnittee of the Cabinet is now at work considering the necessary financial, arrangements. It is our sincere hope that:State Purchase will carry the day, for in that measure we see the only chance of-solving the liquor problem satisfactorily. We do not diegnisefrom ourselves, however, that the extreme teetotalers in the House of Commons and the country are so blinded by prejudice that they will probably stick at nothing, not even common action with the Trade, to defeat the Government proposals. If the Trade were wise, they would of course do - everything to facilitate Purchase on any reasonable terms ; and-no unreasonable terms aro in the least likely to be asked of them by the-Government. If, however, we are to judge by the tone (Asensio of their publithed utterancesethey moan if they can to defeat 'Purchase.
Previous page
