[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
Sre,—In your admirable articleon the.Nationalization of Liquor in the Spectator of the 13th inst. you refer to the anxiety which some objector may feel on the score of loss of revenue which might result from control of the amount of liquor consumed. Those who are troubled about this may take comfort by study- ing the Report issued by the Central Control Board for Carlisle and the surrounding district. In this locality, as we know, State purchase is an accomplished fact. We have, there- fore, an object-lesson which it is well worth while to study. The profits shown to have been earned during eighteen months sufficed (1) to meet all ordinary current expenditure and depre- ciation charged on a severe scale; (2) to defray extraordinary charges for preliminary expenses and reconstruction of premises; (3) to pay interest on the net sums issued from the Exchequer; and (3) to replace upwards of one-fifth of the aver- age capital employed in the scheme. Financially, the Carlisle and district undertaking has been a success. The reduction of retail houses from one hundred and fifteen to sixty-five, and of breweries from four to one, and the suppression of advertise- ments have effected a considerable economy; and the opening of taverns for meals has been another factor in this financial success. Even were it otherwise you say, quite rightly, that the nation as a whole would benefit immensely physically, morally, and industrially by becoming more sober. It is, how- ever, desirable to strengthen the argument for State Purchase, as it may fairly be strengthened, by pointing out the immediate financial success achieved in the Carlisle area. Any one who wishes for further information concerning this most interesting experiment in purchase should send for a pamphlet, " The -Truth About Direct Control in Carlisle," by the Rev. G. Bram- well Evens, to be obtained from the Temperance Legislation League, Parliament Mansions, Victoria Street, S.W. 1, for three half-pence post free.—I am, Sir, &c., H. A. Doris.
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