The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-12-29

lSsY1I1 EYUlIlEy
EzIE2S&
So3RIETY IN GREAT BRITAIN
United Kingdom More Temperate
Now Than Ever Before, Says
Alliance Secretary.

The amount OF beer and spirits con
sumed IN the United Kingdom during
1909 Is very much hess than the
amount recorded for all preceding
years. In fact. Great Britain Is more
temperate now than she has ever
been. declares Secretary George b.
Wilson of the United Kingdom Tenn
perance Alliance In his report. re
Gently issued In the London press, he
estimates that the total expenditure on
all alcoholic liquor consumed In tho
three kingdoms last year amonD,ed TO
G155. 1862. ass. as compared With Elol'-
O6O 4S2 in 1908.
There has therefore been a material
decrease Of e5.S97.997 during the past
twelvemonth.
on spirits the decrease was Gi.sO0.-
OOO with a decrease In consumption
of 7.O22,775 gallons on beer the de-
crease was G1.1S6.O00 with decrease
in consumption OF Gf5.396 barrels on
wines. on the other hand. there has
been an Increase of E93.00e. with an
increase in consumption Of iO5,744 gal
Ions.
But. as the secretary's report points
out. the amount spent on drink as
comparison fails to pictsre the true
! decrease In drinking Owing TO the
! increased taxes OF 1909. the retail
price OF all liquors advanced. and
hence II the prices OF 1909 were tho
same as the prices OF 1908, the de-
hfs
/ double what Il is. II there had been
no increase in prices the actual reduc-
/ ton on the total expenditure would
/ have been E1l.l47.997
London press reports state unhesi-
/ tatingly that the British people havo
been growing more temperate of late
/ years. and claim that the experience
OF last year leaves no doubt that tax
/ alton Is one great influence In reduc-
ing the consumption Of liquor. Il IN
/ further added that 81 this reduction
we're TO be progressively maintained
We would soon have no drink bill 10
pay at all"
The increased taxes applied on hq-
uors by the budget have been fac
tor Of the recorded decrease IN con-
sumption. but it Is probably not tho
only potent factor. and Il is contcndcd
that a marked change In the social
habits Of the people Is a feature since
the masses are being given opportuni-
ties for developing other tastes. In
this education Is the great agent and
Il Is confidently stated that the turn
OF the tide synchrouiEos with the com
ing OF a full generation which has
been TO school The book is one OF
the enemies Of the bar. There arc
others. Every park Is an alternative.
every tram or cheap train, that takes
the worker out 20 the country In his
spare time. every slum that disap-
pears. and every livable house that
takes its place The empire OF alec
hol rests not so much on its own In
herent attractivcness as upon the alb
sence OF rival attractions. These
rivals are growing and before them
alcohol is slowly perhaps. but surely
retiring from public favor"
In a country which has so long
been burdencd by the drink evil the
progress 81 reform Is slow. but there
is progress recorded In Great Britain
rs the above figures show. Tho drink
question Is stiI one OF the most i'm
portant social problems The nation has
50 face. yet the recent constant de
cline In the consumption ie regarded
As extremely hopeful.