The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-06

\ )NDoN, July 5.--tspeciaL)- OF
the biggest Campaigns of educa-
A-A ton on record in this country
is being carried on at present by the
United Kingdom alliance, the official
temperance organization which cores
Ionds to the 1snti-Saloon league in the
United States It's object is to get re-
introduced into parliament, at the earliest
moment practicable, the famous Liscen-
cling bill of 1908. which was brought into
the House of Commons by the present
prime minister w. II. Asquith, then
chancellor of the exchequer in the Camp
bell Bannerman ministry, and was ulti-
mately thrown out by the House of
Lords, as representing the colossal and
practically omnipotent brewing interests
In Great Britain.
The bill, which, had it passed into law.
would have resulted in a compulsory and
systematic reduction of the number of
saloons, or public houses in this country
numbering $4,000 and averaging, in the
congested districts. one to every ia Of
the population--and which would have
made the creation of new licences parlia-
mentry fights in the history of this
country.
The fate of the measurc-which had
passed the House of Commons, then over
whelmingly LIBERAL by heavy majority
was sealed. however, at gathering of
Unicnists peers at the house of Lord
Landsdowne, leader of the tories in the
upper house before thebill even came
before that assembly, and it was ulti
IL, M
The rejection OF the licensing bill which
its advocates claims, by limiting the num-
ber of saloons throughout the country
would have reduced to reasonable dmen-
sions the nations colossal drink bill of
over $500. 100000. was one of the most po-
tent of the factors that led to the pass
ing of the famous parliament act which
deprived the house of lords of it's veto
and Limited the power of that assembly
to delaying bill Tor three years. Ever
since its rejection the United kingdom
alliance, representing over 100000 temper
ence reformers in this country. has been
working tirelessly to bring it before par
lament once more and in the last year
has redoubled it's efforts. In November
last huge convention, representing every
rellSlOuS sect ana pOHtlcdl party, was
held in London, and sent deputaton to
Premier Asquith, who replied, in effect,
that he had his hands full with home
rule for ireland, Welsh disestablishment
and national insurance, but that he hoped
to re-introduce the measure during the
life of the present parliament, or in other
words, before 1915.
This assurance only partially satisfied
the temperance folk, who, during the
present summer Will hold over 800 open
air meetings in London alone, and many
more throughout the country to empha-
size the need for licensing reform and
meanwhile are collecting signatures for
a gigantic memorial to Premier Asquith,
who is by no means lukewarm on the
| subject of temperance. urging him to lose
no time in getting the licensing bill of
1908 on to the statute books
How great a service the passage of
the licensing bill would render to the
cause of temperance 1t is scarcely possi-
bic to estimate" said Alexander Thorn
son, the parliamentary agent of the
United Kingdom alliance, when seen AT
the London headquarters of that organi-
zation few days ago. Its primary re-
suit would be the compulsory reduction
I of the number of saloons in this country
by something like 10000. The adoption of
local option throughout the country, too,
unQuestionably will result In further lm-