From ‘The Objections to State Control’, The Spectator, 17 April 1915:
As our readers know, we hate State ownership of industries, because in our opinion it is inefficient, and tends to low product; but in this particular case we cannot be expected to regard this as a disadvantage. The “Government stroke” in the matter of selling beer and other light intoxicants will suit us exactly. A witty Frenchman declared that it was the ideal of every State functionary to get at the top of a narrow passage and shout out : “On ne passe pas!” We should not break our hearts if that were to be the attitude adopted in front of the beer-barrel.
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