The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-02 00:00:00

BEER TR4DB PROTECTION SOCIETY.

Yesterday afternoon, the twenty-first anniversary
dame et the Boumllers' Proteetiaa Society took plain at
Ike Idgbkeg Ikea Tamen, Idiegtsa. It was very nume-
ral* alleatled; not mak Isle tkaa a thousand persons,
pevbaely, were present. A greet•peedea or the company
Maud together in the large roam; Kr. WILL., brewer, of
Chelsea, occupied the chair, being supported by many re-
spectable members of the trade, es well as by 'arena
iteammina

_
Atter the customary loyal and patriotic toasts had been
duly honoured,
Mr. Jelin BISHOP, the secretary of the society, made a
statement, for the twenty-first time, as he observed, of its
proceedings mid actual position. He said the only object
which the beersellere sought wee, that they should be
allowed to conduct their business upon fair and equal terms,
like the raemben:of every other trade, with credit to them-
selves and advantage to the public. He congratulated them,
therefore, that not •single act of parliament had been passed
during the last ten or twelve year., in which, so far as the
sale of beer was concerned, they were not recognised as hay-
leg equal privileges with others who sold the same article.
The principle which they desired to enforce wee just this—
out whatever re,ulations parliament might think fit to im-
pose upon the sale of beer, the beereefien' trade should be
eableet only to the same regulations as the !teemed victu-
allers. This principle had obtained the approbation of almost
every member of parliament who had attended to the
subject. In the year 1838, it was true, Lord
An Brougham, who had beam himself instrumental in
ttls leaikelelertlism theta change wee coming for
them, sad that they had embarked in • sinking ship; but
at that time the committee of this society exerted themselves
so effectually that, instead of a shipwreck, the trade gained
some little additional privileges. In 1840, a bill we, passed
by which they wen released from magisterial control in
fixing the hours, and also from the interference of the
mum informer, and from some restrictions of licensing.
That, toe, was owing to tae persevering efforts of the coos-
mines of this society, and since that year until 1856, the
general interests of the trade had been going on pretty well.
There had been much for its advocates to do, never-
theism because every new member of the legisla-
tors ;mooed to think this subject was a fit one to
try experiments noon, Two parliamentary inquiries had
taken place lately, end there was now a prevailing
opinion, in which he (Mr. Bishop) quite shared, that it was
likely a fall and complete alteration of the existing
system of licensing would shortly be effected. Of course the
mer turas taken in that direction required to be very care-
t ully watched on behalf of the trade, and the committee had
taken care to have them watched. Having read to the com-
pany the recommendations of the committe, of the House
of Commons laat session upon the licensing of public-house',
Mr. Bishop then referred to the act of last session for the
cluing of public-houses on the Sunday, which had been
found so inconvenient in its operation that already steps
were being taken to remedy the error the legislature in that
instance had committed. He explained the effect of the
alteration to be made in the law of the Sunday sole
of liquor', by the bill which had just pared
through the House of Commons. Those engaged to the
beer trade, he said, were anxious that they should be
enabled to give the publics whatever accommodation was
needed, but they did not arrogate to themselves the right
to dictate the precise regulations it might be expedient to
adopt. He next mentioned the asylum established by this
society at Peckham, where a refuge was provided for
thirteen aged end Infirm retired members of the trade. It
wet a very pretty structure, upon the society's own free-
hold
ground, in which a neat bedroom and sitting-room
were provided for each of the occupants, with kitchen and
every domestic accommodation. The society had bus
enabled, likewise, to supply its aged residents with eosin
se well as household furniture, but it was necessary M go
somewhat farther, and afford them something to eat. This
might be done if every member of the trade, in additionlito the
ten shillings which he subscribed to the society, would sob-
scribe five shillings to the asylum fund ; end he appealed to
the benevolence of the company not to let the inmates of
their asylum starve there. In conclusion, be proposed as a
tout, "The Beer Trade Protection Society, and Simon to
the Licensed Beersellers' Asylum Fund. ' He then read a
list of subscriptions and donations.
The " Health of Lurd Monteagle and other parliamentary
friends of the beereellere trade," was proposed, with a tea-
happy to the courtesy and attentive hearing which they
had always obtained from his lordship.
The next nest was that of the brewers who had aided
this society • but it was romarked that the society had never
7et received mach encouragement from the twelve great
London arms, and that some brewers seemed to hold back
from it on account of the rival interest of the licensed
victuallen.

The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the toast, said that
he could not admit the truth of this last observation, for he
had brought two licensed victuallers, in his own carriage,
to the present dinner. _ _

Mr. BT•LLwoon then proposed as a toast " The Liberal
Public Press," and acknowledged especially the merits of
those free•teede journsla who advr,^ated the principle of
free trade in beer, as in all other commodities.
The evening was agreeably spent i■ listening to music,
or in strolling through the garden, and was ended with •
dna.