A deputation headed by Sir Algernon West waited on the
Home Secretary on Wednesday to urge the need of a reform in the licensing laws in the direction especially (1) of a reduction of licenses according to the needs of districts, on equitable lines of compensation to be provided by the trade ; (2) of the bringing of all licenses within the jurisdiction of the licensing authority ; (3) of legislation in regard to clubs; and (4) of reconstituting the licensing authority and the Court of Appeal. Mr. Ritchie in reply admitted fully the evils of intemperance, but insisted, and we think rightly, that there was no sort of agreement at present among the various persons who were interested in the question and claimed a share in its settlement. Especially was this the case in regard to compensation. After recalling the previous difficulties experienced by the Government in handling the licensing question, he asked whether, in fact, a redaction of licenses would decrease drinking. Though the population had increased and the total number of licenses had been con- siderably reduced in late years, the consumption of alcohol per head had increased. In conclusion, he expressed his belief that we must look to agencies other than an alteration in the licensing laws, such as improving the housing of the poor, and the providing them with healthier forms of recrea- tion. This, of course, means that the Government does not mean to touch the thorny question cf licensing. We yield to none in our desire that the cause of true temperance should be furthered, but we cannot help sympathising with Mr. Ritchie's doubts as to any adequate effect being produced by the decrease of licenses. We have far greater hopes from the public-house reform movement.
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