[TO THE Eorros OF THE " SPECTATOR. "] Sic., Whatever may
be thought of other parts of the new Licensing Bill, there is one section of it to which special attention should be given by any who are keen on increasing national temperance. All who know what is really going on now are aware that it is the registered clubs which are our danger and weakest spot. Not every one knows the facilities which, in default of proper control, they offer for excessive drinking. In the town of which I am a Magistrate there are several such clubs. The mere annual registration. carries the right to supply intoxicating liquors. They are free from the supervision of the Licensing Justices. They fix their own hours, and can, if they please, keep open all night, Drink may be supplied to members and their guests at any hour. Short of actual disorder, the police have no right of entry. I need not dwell upon the opportunity given by this lack of supervision for excessive drinking : there is reason to fear that the opportunity is taken. Do the provisions of the new Bill deal with this abuse effectually ? It leaves to the Licensing Justices the final decision as to upholding or dismissing " objections," subject to appeal; it gives them power for a proved offence to strike a club off the register; it allows to a police inspector or superintendent authorised by the Chief Constable the right of entry and inspection, but he must not be in uniform. So far so good. But supposing no " objector " appears, and the police inspection is casual and infrequent, or, as some- times happens, is "squared," we shall be much where we were before, with the number of clubs increasing in proportion to the number of public-houses closed. They will still have the registration rights ; the hours will still be unlimited ; members and guests may still drink all night if they please. The difficulty of placing clubs on precisely the same footing as public-houses may be acknowledged ; but I doubt if anything short of that will 'do much towards checking the evil of
intemperance.—I am, Sir, &c., J.P.
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