Lord Kimberley introduced the Licensing Bill on Tuesday in a
speech purposely tame, his first object being to show that no one would be much hurt by the Bill. We have analysed the Govern- ment proposal elsewhere, but must add here that the measure is repudiated by the Teetotallers as meaningless, that it is accepted by the organs of the Trade, who see that the provisions about renewals give them a sort of tenant-right, and that the House of Commons seems half afraid of the Bill, as not likely to satisfy con- stituents. At least, that is the meaning we attach to its re,adi- nese to waste time in discussing alternative Bills brought in by private members. We should imagine that in the present condi- tion of parties, both sides being horribly afraid of the liquor-dealers, the Bill would pass without much alteration, except as to hours of sale. There is a consensus of evidence that the country labourer wants to buy his can of beer or cider before seven o'clock in the morning. The liquor will not keep good in a tin vessel all night, and we must not fight him upon a point upon which he will hear no reason.
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