The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-01-12
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49,
SOBRlETY 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 less 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 the
three kingdoms last year amounted to
Gl65, 162, ass. as compared with G161,-
060,4S2 in 1908.
There has therefore been a material
decrease OF G5.S97997 during the past
twelvemonth.
On spirits the decrease was G4,S00,-
600, with a decrease in consumption
Of 7,022,775 gallons. On beer the de-
crease was G1,1S6,000 with decrease
in consumption of 645, 1896 barrels. On
wines, on the other hand, there has
been an increase of $4,000, with an
increase in consumption of 1903, 744 gal
Ions
But. as the secretary's report points
out, the amount spent on drink as a
comparison, fails TO picture the true
decrease in drinking. Owing to the
increased taxes Of 1909. the retail
price of all liquors advanced, and
hence If the prices of 1909 were the
same as the prices Of 1908, the de-
crease in the amount spent would be
double what il is. If there had been
no increase in prices the actual reduc-
ton on the total expenditure would
have been &11,147997.
London press reports state unhesi,
tatingly that the British people have
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. 1t is
further added that "if this reduction
were to be progressively maintained
we would soon have no drink bill to
pay at all"
The increased taxes applied on liq
| uors by the budget have been a fac
tor Of the recorded decrease in con.
sumption, but 1t is probably not the
only potent factor, and it is contended
that marked change in the social
habits of the people ss a feature since
the masses are being given opportuni
ties for developing other tastes. In
this education is the great agent and
! 1t is confidently stated that the turn
of the tide synchronises with the com
ing of a full generation which has
been to school. The book Is one OF
| the enemies of the bar. There are
others. Every park is an alternative
| every tram or cheap train, that takes
! the worker out to the country in his
| spare time, every slum that disap
pears, and every livable house that
| takes its place. The empire Of alco
hol rests not so much on its own in
| herent attractiveness 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 burdened by the drink evil the
| progress of reform is slow, but there
is progress recorded in Great Britain
as the above figures show. The drink
question is still one of the most i'm
portant social problems the nation has
to face, yet the recent constant de
cline in the consumption is regarded
as extremely hopeful,