Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - V. Social Movements - 3. Temperance Question. By Einar J:son Thulin
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74 (i
v. social movements.
ccipts from the intoxicants, and the compulsory detention of habitual
drunkards.
So far as the first point is concerned, the gist of the Riksdag’s resolution is
that all profits derived from the sale of spirits (by the "system companies")
shall accrue to the State. The towns receive instead annual subsidies, which
decrease in amount and cease in 1935. County Councils and agricultural
societies are compensated by certain annual payments, and all communes obtain
increased contributions to the salaries of the teachers in elementary schools.
With the purpose of limiting the dependence of the State, the Riksdag decided
to establish a certain payment, 41’9 millions of kronor to be used on behalf of
the Government out of the amount devolving to the Treasury from all
intoxicating liquor revenue (except customs). Any excess beyond this must be sunk
in a special fund (cf. State Finances), intended chiefly to be used for the
ordering of the economic conditions which result from the more stringent
safeguards taken towards limiting or reducing traffic in intoxicants. The
maximum payment just named shall be automatically reduced from time to time,
if during three successive years it exceeds the average revenue from intoxicants
to the Treasury.
It has long been a purpose aimed at in Sweden to introduce the compulsory
detention, of persons addicted to drink, in establishments set apart for the care
of such cases. This question was solved in the Act passed in 1913. In
accordance with the new legislation, which first comes into operation when a
suitable number of such establishments are ready, the governor of the län may,
on the representation of the Temperance Board of a commune, order the
admission into an inebriates’ home of such persons as are addicted to drink
and therefore set their own lives or the personal safety of others in danger
or else expose their wives and children — for whose maintenance they are
responsible — to poverty or open neglect, or fall a burden on the poor rates,
or on their families. Such a person, however, cannot be admitted to an
institution before he has obtained a hearing in the matter of the application, nor
before the governor’s order for his admittance has obtained legal sanction.
Nevertheless, if an occasion arises to show that the applicant is dangerous to
the safety of others or to his own life, he can be dealt with till further notice
without a hearing. Public institutions for the care of inebriates shall be either
furnished by the State, or by the county council, commune, society, foundation,
or some other authority controlling homes founded for the said purpose, and
acknowledged by government to be public institutions. A person admitted to
such an institution may be detained for one year, and, if he has previously
been an inmate of a home for 6 months at least, he may be detained for two
years. Discharge may, however, be granted sooner, if there is reason to expect
that he will afterwards behave with sobriety and decency.
As will be realized from the above sketch, Sweden has achieved a
considerable contribution to temperance work. To mention by name the
individuals who have done good service in the movement would carry us too
far; we may, however, recall the fact that, since 1905, the position of
International Chief Templar has been filled by the Swede, Edvard
Wawrinsky.
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