The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-13 00:00:00

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' METROPOLITAN
AND !RITUAL DEFENCE ASSOCIATION.

Last evenizs a wiry large meeting of the licensed
T;otooners of yillicton and its vicinity took place at the
Pied Dull, lipplr-strb^t, Iblington, to consider VA interests

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of the trade generally.
Mr. THORNTON, proprietor of the bogie, took the chair.
lie stated that he was note member of either the Protection
or the Defence Association. Having read the circular call-
ing the meeting, to said their object wag to take the best
method to get rid of the law regarding early closing.
Mr. POCITInt observed that the feelings of the meeting
would be host shown by the resolution he had to propose.
Ile felt there never was a time when the interests of
the trade more required attention than at present.
The resolution he would propose was, " That this meeting
has every reason to believe the erections made by the New
Defence Association have been and are likely to be of great
advantage to the trade; and for this reason it does determine
to increase its power by giving it its confidence and sup-
port." The only justification he could offer for bringing
this society into eaistence was the neglect of another society
which bad existed for 21 years, and of that journal (the
Morning Advertiser) which ought to be their organ. Things
had gone on quietly for some years ; but during the last si s-
alon of parliament there Lad been tears excited by the ,
recent closing act. There bad been a compromise,
which was wrong, because it involved a want of
principle. lie thought the existing laws against
licensed •ictuallers sufficiently stringent, without the
Beer Bill, for which there was no necessity. It was in•
jurious to the trade, end annoying to the public. The Pro-
tection eel the Morning Advertiser having ne-
glected the trade, this society sprang into existence. Its
objects are, To procure au immediate relaretion of the
Act intituled An Act (Jr further regulatiug the Sale of
Beer and other Liquors on the Lord's-day.' To obtain, as
early as possible, a total repeal of such act. To take such
steps for upholding and defending the interests of the trade
as its exigencies may require, consistently with the neces-
sities ant convenience of the public. To raise a fund, by
subscriptions and donations to carry out the foregoing
objects. And, so soon es the trade shall be fairly
represented by that journal, which belongs to many
of its members, end protection afforded by societies
established for that purpose, then to c•nsider
the propriety of *mit d action for the future."
The society had the good common sense of the trade with
thi m, end be thought they would da a co:.eiderable amount
of good. They had tried in work with the manuzers of the
. .

Priateetion Seilety and the newspaper, but they had an
objection to that society, as havieg compriunised the interests
of the trail.) without consulting the whole body. It was
ridiculous and contemptible to talk cf compromising with
members of parliament. He did not think the trade were
is a position to part with any hours of their time ; and
although some might wish to else, they could have closed
without an act of parliament. He would allude to the Blue
Book, particularly to the evidence of Mr. Maber—he did
nut know whether that gentlensen was in toe room—but
would show that they ought to have opposed the Beer Bill. I
Mr. Metier acid cheieg CH Sundays would be beneficial •
and not iejurious to the trade, and that a large propertion
bad signed in favour of closing on Sundays; but it bad been ,
fauna that only six had signed instead of nineteen, as
stated. He (Sir. Maher) gave sac a reason far closing his
house on Sundays fourteen year' ago, that " a feeling came
over me I cannot describe." (•• Meer," and laughter )
Then, with regard to the evidence of Mr. Weyland, one en
the City missionaries, who had come to the conclusion that
there were mare persons in the public-houses and beer-
shops of Marylebone between 7 end 9 en Sunday evenings
than in all the churches and chapels iu the parish, he would
say that his statement was perfectly monstrous, par-
ticularly when he said there were sixty-one men
and fifteen women at the bar of a gin-shop at one
time. Now, he thought the Protection Society ought
to have sifted the matter. The Defence Society had
held meetings throughout the metropolis, and bad waited
on the members of p irliament, only eshieg that the trade
might remain as it was prev,ously to the passing
of the late act. They were told that there might he
alterations in the licensing system, but he hoped before
any alterations were made that at leaet some better elite en
might be adopted. The trade wished to oe as they were,
but they would accept a moiety, er all they could get. Ile
must, however, say they had just grounds of compleint
against the Psotectien Society end the Morning Adeertiser
' for neglecting their interests, but for which this Defence
8 iciety would never have existed. This society was de-
termined to persevere until the objects it sought acre ac-
complished. (Cheers.)
Mr. Tomsk, in seconding the resolution, said that the
bill, as they ail knew, woo missed wry hastily by the Saba-
tartan party, assisted by the Protection ti.xiety. Three
who prised the bill objected to the poor man taking a trip
on a Sunday, but bad no objection to enjoy a ride in the
narks en Sundeva. They objeccd to the poor mitt Writ.,
his beer on Sundays, while they took wine at their clubs.
It was shown that 15,157 passengers visited the li,,w
station on Sunday', from May to Augues ; and from the
railway report it was shown that there was but one wise of
drunk. mien. Ho regretted that in compiaing of the
~.kritang Adeeettrer, there might be doing injury to the
eearizies contiectel with it ; but their complaints arms from
its not being conducted for the benefit of the trade, and ti i
respeosihdity the re fore re t it with those who mismanaged
it. (" Hear, hem," and cheers.)
Mr. GURNEY contended that Mr. Foster was not serving
the trade by creating this disseesion. it was impossible to
prevent the bill from immix. They ',rivet to get unity
of ammo, and tl.e bill would not be repealed by the
Licensed Victuallers wince unless the public complained.
lie would recommend unanimity.

Mr. HARRIS said probably it would be desirable to be al
as one, but the Protection Society bad refused to take his
money and that of several others. They bad evidently been
afraid that there was something " looming in the future."
Now he (Mr. Harris) would be happy to receive the sub.
mription of every eentleman connected with the Protection
Society, who could then come to any meeting, to complain
if th. y could discover any ground.
Mr. GUleoltY moved as an amendment "That a depute.
n of the Protection Society meet the Defence Association
with a view to amalgamation."
Mr. Daxsts imoonilkd.
Mr. WATTS said he had been 21 year, in the trade, and
was decidedly in favour of the Protection Society. He had
taken more money on Sundays since the bill had Fused than
he did before.
Mt. Ctattx. regretted the difference, when all should be
as united as possible. That the paper had not pleased the
trade he would 'omit. He would say if not well served by
the paper let the committee discharge these who did not
manage it properly, and get better servants.
Mr. FOSTER in reply said he could fully appreciate unity
of action, arid would show that the Defence Society had
taken steps to promote it He then read the folowieg
letter from the Secretary of the Defence Assocation to the
Secretory of the Incorporated Society :
" Metropolitan and Provincial Licensed Victual] rs'
Mutual Defence Association, 101, Fleet-street,
let November, 1834.
" Sir,—l am instructed by my committee to plate myself
in communication with you as the accredited officer of the
incorporated Society of Licensed Victuallers, respecting the
recent decision of the quarterly court of that society, having
reference to the Morning Advertiser, and to request you
will place my letter before your board for its consideration.
From the absence of information to the corgrary, my corn- ,
mates is naturally led to presume that it is not intended to I
net u; on the resolution wised at such court, until after the
confirmation of the minutes of proceedings which then took
place ; and I am therefore directed to inquire whether, if
such to the Casa, it is props ed by your beard to leave the
turner consideration of the matter until the qualerly
meeting in January next, or to convene a special court for
the purpose, or as to what other course your board de•
termines to adopt in regard thereto. I am at the,
same time further directed to observe, that my
committee, whilst taking those measures which it bite con-
sidered the interests of thu trade imperatively demanded,
and being pledged as it is 11 a large body of subscribers
energetically to carry out the objects set forth, would gladly
recognise the occurrence of soy opportunity for the union of
opposing sections of the trade on a basis that should secure
mutual interests in the present, and safety from legislative
aggressions in the future. To evidence this, this committee
would suggest the arrangement of an interview between a
certain number of its body and a corresponding number of
your board, whereat the various matters in question might
be dispassionately discussed, and their several influences on
the position and prospects of the trade fairly considered.
My committee, it is right I should inform you, make this
propositme without prejudice, but with eke earnest desire
impartially to regard the points at issue ; and that while it
considers the vote of your proprietary body as binding on
your board, it would wish to avoid any act that might ap-
peal to evidence a desire to carry out that determination
with inconvenient haste. Awaiting your acknowledgment
of the receipt of this letter, I am, yours respectfully,
" T. C. BARHAM, Secretory.
" To Mr. W. Sinn:lay, Secretary to the Incorporated
Society of Licensed Victuallers."
He contended that they had steadily endeavoured to pro-
mote union. Many of the greatest public measures—Roman
Catholic Emancipation, the Reform Bill, the Repeal of the
Corn Laws, drc.—had been passed by out of door" agitation.
There were many parties who were connected with the
committee of the Morning Advertiser who were thriving
patsonkl advantage (rem the present state of things. At
the meetings of the Incorporated Society matters were met
with personalities insteadof fair argument. Whenever the
Protection Society, or the Incorporated Society, chose to
throw down the olive branch, the Defence Association would
be glad to take it up; but the Defence Association had
thrown down the olive branch, and it had been refused.
The man who was an lab tual drunkard he would
Madly condemn, but he did not consider that such parties
should be the MUM of annoyance to the community at
large, and he knew that licensed victuallers as a body repu-
diated the habitual drunkard. (Hear. hear.) So long as
they had such men as Alderman Wire and Alderman
Challis to represent them, so long would the Manworm
s irit exist ; but no doubt it would ultimately be followed
by a heoltby reaction. (Cheers.)
The ottestien having been put, there appeared—
For the amendment 3
Against it 26
For the original motion 34
Against it
Thanks having been accorded to the Chairmen, which
nag seemded by Mr. Clark, a member of the Protection
Society, and carried unanimously, seem' gentlemen jointd,
bt Difeuce A.,,aciatiot, and the Meeting broke nr,

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