New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-05
.DEWAR PREDICTS
RUIN OF FARMERS
Liquor Trade in Britain
Bound Up with Others,
He Shows.
BARLEY AND HOP
CROPS UNSTABLE
Lloyd George to Confer with
Brewers and Distillers on
New Taxation.
IRr C,hl. 20 The Trlhune. ]

London, MAY Sir Thomas DeWar
has lust returned here from discussing
the governments liquor restrictions
with all the Scottish distillers. 10
day he said to The Tribune CORE
spondent: II,
81 don't believe the proposals VIII
90 through II they do il means that
more than half the Scottish distillers
must close down Immediately. II is es-
timated that the turnover Of the sa-
loonkeepers will drop 40 per cent at
once. which means that the great ma
ioritv of them will close down. only
the biggest concerns can possibly hang
on.
"And all this. too, without compen.-
sation, go that the scheme will amount
to virtual confiscation. The livelihood
directly or indirectly, of 2,OOO,OOO peo-
ple will be affected. and the net benent
will be nothing. Apart from this the
banks and insurance companies VINO
have financed the brewers and saloon
keepers will be terribly hit. Farmers,
too. have sown their barley this year
and hops have been planted, but none
will be bought This means the semi
ruin of agriculture. =.
Moreover, 2O,OO0.O00 gallons Of
spirits will have to be distilled to pro-
vide Great Britain's yeast when brew
ing stops. Then bread, as we under
stand 1t. will no longer be made. The
proposed taxes have aroused an I'M
heard of feeling of resentment among
all classes, particularly among work
men, but they'll effect nothing. I'm
Indifferent, because 10 per cent OF my
money is made abroad, and the inevita-
bic elimination of the smaller people
will mean that | shall have virtual
monopoly in few years time. but I'm
deeply sorry for those people who will
lose their livelihoods."
A leading member of the Opposition
said TO The Tribune correspondent to-
day:
81 have no doubt the proposed taxes
will be dropped. The information we
have is that the only cure for excessive
drinking among munition workers IS
restricted hours for the saloons, with
a prohibition of the bottle trade, so that
men can't get drunk either at home or
outside before starting to work eatly
in the morning. The Opposition leao-
ers would be prepared TO supper. en-
Enthusiastically any proposed legislation
on these lines, but at present any 5uch
suggestions seem futile "
David Lloyd George, in the course OF
his budget speech in the House of Com
mons to-day, said that in December
there was a decrease of 38 per cent in
the production of beer, in January and
February a decrease of % per cent
each, and in March a decrease Of IT
per cent.
On the other hand, said the Chancel-
lor Of the Exchequer, there was an in
crease in the consumption of spirits az
follows: December, 3 per cent; Janu-
airy, per cent; February, Is per cent,
and March, % per cent. The plan adopt
ed by the Chancellor for the regulation
of the liquor traffic, however, is not en-
trely satisfactory, as the Minister him
self admitted. He announced that he
was to have conference tomorrow
with brewers and distillers in regard
to his new taxes on spirits, wines and
beer, and that he was very anxious to
come to an agreement with the trade.
The Chancellor said he was not welded
to his own proposals, and if any one
had better ones to offer he would &C
cept them. He did ask, however, that
the House give the government at once
control of the liquor trade in areas in
which munitions of war are produced
Austen Chamberlain described the
proposals of Mr.. Lloyd George as mot
taxation, but humiliation"