NBWTA Report 1903-072
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139 138 Ripley branch reports the formation of a Vigilance Council, to watch applications for new, and renewals of old licences; and that nine beerhouse applications for bagatelle boards were refused. Newport (Pembrokeshire) reports that they drew the attention of the magistrates to the need for stricter supervision of certain houses. The result has been satisfactory. Basingstoke reports the discontinuance of six licences, and the refusal of one new application. Leek, assisted by the Y’s and others, successfully opposed an application by the People’s Refreshment Company for a provisional licence. Hanley presented a petition with over two thousand signatures. Consett presented a petition 12ft. long. Morley branch obtained signatures against the granting of two licenses. ‘Twenty-one members attended court. Doncaster branch reports that, after the provisional grant of a full licence, handbills were distributed in the neighbourhood, asking house- holders to say whether the need of the house was felt. The result was that in one road the noes were seventeen to one, and in another It is satisfactory to learn that the licence was (the lowest) four to one. not confirmed. Leigh-on-Sea successfully opposed application for new grocer’s licence. The work done in all these localities and by all these different methods cannot be stated in a report like the present. Facts must have been presented to magistrates, and seed sown that cannot fail to bring forth fruit in years to come, when the magistrates shall have realized more fully than at present many of them seem to have done, the extent of the powers they possess, both in regard to the granting of new licences and the refusal to renew such as are shown to be beyond the needs of the district in which they have been previously granted. Mary E. PHILLIPS, Superintendent. REPORD® OF “POLITICAL DEPARTMENT, If my report had been written in February, it would have been one full of hope that the Bill passed last session would be a really effective one, but Mr. Balfour’s Speech and Mr. Butcher’s Bill have very much changed the face of affairs, and at no time in the last twenty years has the cause of Temperance seemed in such danger. In consequence of this I issued an urgent appeal to all the branches to hold meetings and pass resolutions against Mr. Butcher’s and Sir W. Hart Dyke’s Bills, and I am glad to report that I got clear and business-like answers from about seventy of our branches, showing that they were alive to the gravity of the situation, and were up and doing, and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking those who, from press of work, I was not able to answer by letter. We have many hundreds of branches, and I would urge those who have not answered by letter to set to work at once to organize meet- ings on the lines laid down so ably in Lady Carlisle’s leaflet just sent out, as it is only by a long pull, and a strong pull, and a pull all together that we can hope to avert the passing of Sir W. Hart Dyke’s Bill into law. E. F. TomMxkInson, Political Superintendent. WORK AMONG INEBRIATE WOMEN. It is with a sad satisfaction that we view the increased provision made for the reception of women inebriates in all parts of the country, and we are glad to note that the methods inaugurated at Duxhurst, namely, out-door work, have been largely followed in almost all the modern retreats. I have in my mind to say that I think it will require much care on the part of the authorities of the various County Councils to carefully safeguard the inspections of Homes licensed under the Act, and to keep the supervision of such Homes as much as possible on the lines of those adopted in lunatic asylums, otherwise of course the amount of power placed in the hands of individuals might become dangerous, and some of the evils which surrounded the care of lunatics in past times might occur again in the Homes licensed for the care of inebriates. But no doubt the zeal and interest shown by such men as Dr. Braithwaite, of the Home Office, will obviate this menace. _ _ I think it becomes more and more apparent that the treatment of inebriate women, indeed of all inebriates, is far more dependent upon their surroundings and the general care that is given to them, than any specific drugs, and that the numerous remedies which are now being advertized should be looked upon with caution, for the disease drunkenness is not easily dealt with by any so-called “cure,” but conditions produced by inebriety have to be treated with patient rather than by the adminstration of any drug. Nor can I honestly that I have ever received any reliable proof that any of these cures of real or permanent value. of the care say are REPORT OF THE ANTI-OPIUM DEPARTMENT. We are very glad of the help and sympathy which we continue to receive from some Branches of this Association, especially those in the Durham and Northumberland County Union, but we wish that more Branches would see their way to bring this very important subject before their members, at least once during every season. We cannot help feeling surprised and sorrowful at the indifference and apathy which allow this sin against China in our Indian Opium trade to be carried on year after year without protest. |