Mr. Bruce on Thursday brought his Licensing Bill into the
House of Commons. Sir Wilfrid Lawson denounced it, of course, as a very weak Bill, but the licensed victuallers, who are tired of 'being all on one side, have accepted it as a compromise, and it will, we imagine, be passed. It establishes a much better system ,of supervision, reduces the hours of sale, and strengthens the hands of the magistrates to refuse new licences, but that is pretty nearly all it professes to accomplish. On the other hand, it -secures to the well-conducted publican the renewal of his licence -almost as a matter of course, and checks the practice of levying blackmail on him, the opponent being required to give evidence on -oath, and to pay all expenses if he fails to prove his ease. This is a great concession to the trade, but it is not unjust, and by making licences more valuable, tends to make publicans more careful to preserve the character of their houses. The Bill, of course, will -satisfy nobody ; but unless the Ballot breaks the power of the ;publicans, it is the best that can be obtained for the present.
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