We do not suggest that this is a book that can be safely disregarded by anyone who wishes to form a sound judgment on the supremely important question, what positive and constructive policy have the Temperance party to put before the country? It appears to us madness to denounce all forms of public management of the liquor trade as being equally pernicious, as it also does to cry out for the total prohibition of that which a vast majority of our people, unfortunately, still desire to have. The plea for direct municipalisation of the drink trade should be carefully considered on its merits, and it is well to have it put before us by an able and clear-headed enthusiast for the municipalisation of things in general. His work should be read side by side with those in which Rowntree and Sherwell have pointed out the perils that lurk in the public management of such a dangerous business as the liquor trade, and the urgent need that whatever steps are taken to secure it shall be most carefully considered, in the light of all the experience gained in Sweden, Norway, and elsewhere. That it is widely different from other forms of industry, and needs quite special treatment, the author allows, when he writes (p. 141): - "The somewhat unsavoury character of the occupation makes it the resort of persons unfitted for posts where training, knowledge, or high character is required."