De Ism EDITOR 0/P rue "SPECTATOR.") Snt,—I sincerely hope that
the Spectator will renew and continue to press its sound arguments in favour of the purchase by the Government of the drink traffic, the whisky distilleries (its sources of supply), and the licensed houses (its distributing agents). I have recently been for some months in somewhat close contact with the question in Scotland in connexion with the general life of the people. The purchase of this vast property by the State would certainly require an amount of capital that may deter some economists, but I believe that public opinion is ripening for the acceptance of the necessary legislation and outlay, in the confident hope that ownership would prove an investment profitable in the long run, especially if coupled with the management of the public-houses which the Public-House Trust Company, Ltd., can supply, and that may prove the saving of the Scottish people from their besetting temptation. If prohibition during the war should follow on purchase, the way will have been effectively prepared.—I am, Sir, &o.,
CHARLES STEWART.
[The Trade would, during the war, be taken over as the railways have been;—no money passes, but dividends are paid as in the last year of peace. At the end of the war the financial position could be regularized.—En. Spectator.]
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