NBWTA Report 1904-056
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they have This result was achieved by who had committed may the energy, this reform almost within sight of success, B.W.T.A. women will doubtless continue to support it till the end. Their success hitherto has been because they appealed for help to worthy people, whether Temperance or not, of every creed and party— nights, standing S. R. PERKINS. attempt was TO The Act passed in rgot has lost some of its effectiveness, owing to the ruling of the Lord Chief Justice on May 20th, 1903. In this case of Emery v. Nollett, it was held that the licensee, though present when his barman sold drink to a child contrary to the Act, was not to blame because he had not ‘‘ Axowingly” allowed such sale. In March, 1904, Lord Dunboyne, in the House of Lords, introduced a Bill to make the licensee responsible for his servants’ acts. The Bill was, however, revised during its passage, so that it makes the servant liable to penalty instead of making the licensee responsible. Its chief clause runs:—“ That every agent or servant of any licensed person who knowingly sells or delivers any intoxicating liquor to any person contrary to the provisions of the Act of 1go1, shall be liable to the same penalties as are provided in the case of a similar offence committed by such licensed person.” It has to go to the House of Commons next. There is little goodin this Bill, however, for servants in licensed houses are easily dismissed in case of difficulty. What is needed is to delete the word “ knowingly.” During last year 840 offences under the Act were recorded in the volume of criminal statistics. Owing to the complaints by the London School Board, the applicant for renewal of the licence of Queen’s Music Hall, Poplar, was warned to be very careful in future. Through Mr. Stead’s investigations, the awful fact was revealed that in Paddington on Sunday, Dec. 27th, 10,646 children under 15 went to public-houses, and only 6,957 to Church. Probably observations in other towns would show similar results, except in Liverpool, Birkenhead, and a few places, where the magistrates for seven years past have not allowed any sale of drink to children, even in closed vessels. A publican in Northampton said, in his defence, that he had used between 5,600 and 7,000 labels in less than two years, which shows how prevalent the sending of children stillis. Children have been taken up during the past year for drunkenness at ages varying from 7 to 16, while one girl of 15, he pata OF THE SALE OF INTOXICANTS CHILDREN DEPARTMENT. drinks and taking supplies home with them, Alas! that our law allows girls and boys to drink beer in public-houses at 14, and at 16 to drink spirits. Last July, during the third reading of the Scotch Licensing Bill, an and received it. PREVENTION often late at night. It is appalling to look into public-houses and see babies and tiny children in that vitiated atmosphere up to closing hours at night. A glance at the vacant and stupid expression on little faces tells of sips given by the parents to keep them quiet. And this not only among working-class women. Instead of discouraging such habits, some licensees are now providing accommodation for their perambulators. Factory girls of a superior type also meet at public-houses on Friday comparatively few, who succeeded in a few weeks hopeless cause almost to the level of a national how organized women can influence the world. have been greater still if all had imitated them the same opportunity of expressing itself. Now brought suicide, was described by her mother as a habitual frequenter of public-houses, pare ee ee nated { tact, and devotion of a in raising a seemingly movement, and showed Great as it is, it might and given each locality that in all classes and parties, on which we reckon in the future. als i hope to ee ; \ against the calling existing 109 —e } 108 made to raise the age for sale to children from 14 to 16, but it was unsuccessful. Until we change the laws and customs governing child-life, we shall continue to hear statements like Dr. Forbes Winslow’s—that 36,000 of the certified lunatics shut up are there through the drink. We rejoiced to note that last year the British Medical Association resolved to represent to the Board of Education the urgent importance that scientific instruction in health subjects, including the nature of alcohol, should be provided in all primary schools by the local education authorities in order that the conditions which lead to deterioration of the national physique may be understood, and, as tar as possible, prevented ; 15,000 doctors have signed this already. The liquor trade has made two important statements this year ae to the act of rgor :—One that their Central Board “ could not prevent” the passing of this Act, owing to public opinion. The other statement was by the Chairman of the City of London Brewing Co., who mentioned the Child Messenger Act as one of the causes which had reduced the value of their shares. The /iguor trades wish the Act amended to improve their sales and share values. The British Women wish it amended to improve the lives of the children—physically, morally, and spiritually. _ Let us take heart from the knowledge that even this wealthy liquor trade confesses it was unable to prevent the passage of this Act, and speaks of “the absolute necessity of proceeding with the formidable task of inducing the legislature to amend it.” Let us be vigilant. Let us investigate, educate, and agitate till our nation’s children are safeguarded. Harriet M. JoHNnson. WORLD’S WHITE RIBBON MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT. Last year our devoted worker, Miss Bleby, resigned the Superin- tendency of this Department owing to her ill health. Miss Bleby’s efforts for this Department have aroused interest not only in a large number of our own members, but also workers in distant lands have written me repeatedly expressing their gratitude for the cheer given to 4 |