[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,--Such a rapid and
general improvement in the social condition of the community havingtaken place, some revision of the Licensing Laws cannot long be delayed. The system of Licensing Justices, many of whom are hopelessly prejudiced against the Trade, entirely blocks the way to any improve- ment, at the present time. As no one with an interest in the Trade is allowed to act, a biassed person has no business on the Bench.
Lord D'Abernon's idea of the appointment by the GoYern- ment of a Supervisory Board, restricted to supervision, is an excellent one.- I presume that we should be 'told what kind of houses would be tolerated, and of course the very low type of public house would have to be scrapped or re- habilitated. Owners could be compensated by permission to transfer the licence, or sell the licence for transference to another locality, or, with the consent of the Supervisory Board, to transfer the licence to a restaurant or confectioner who supplied food, which is the kind of house it is desired to encourage. ' In this way there would be'no difficulty -in getting rid of all the low-class houses.
I would like to make one or two suggestions : that all complaints be dealt with by Stipendiaries, and that altalaplica- tions for new licences be made to Quarter Sessions. I am,
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