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284
III. CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SWEDEN.
Table 44. Consumption of spirits 1 in Sweden during 185611900.
(A liter = 0’22 imp. gallon or 0 264 winch, gallon. An hectoliter = 22 imp. gallons).
Average for the years Mean population. Consumption, in hectoliters. Liters per inhabitant.
Spirits, s Beer.’ Wine. Spirit*.1 Beer.» Wine. Pure
alcohol. *
1856/60 ....... 3,726.587 354,000 390,000 15,860 9’50 10-6 0-43 5-21
1861/65........ 3.992,560 426,357 446,105 16,543 10-68 11-2 0 41 5-83
1866/70........ 4,165,906 370,057 446,933 17,740 888 10-7 0-43 4-91
1871/75........ 4.274,006 505,562 702,867 34,670 11-88 16-4 0-81 6-65
1876/80........ 4,499,900 454,515 767,108 32,608 10-10 17-0 0-72 , 5-80
1881/85........ 4,604,724 369,364 885,968 31,231 802 19-2 0-68 4-85
1886/90........ 4,741,726 338.308 1,151,538 25,824 713 24-3 0-54 1 459
1891/95........ 4.831.814 322,405 1,331,442 29,892 667 27-6 0-62 4 50
1896/00........ 5,032,074 404,349 1,682,262 33,999 804 334 0-68 5-42
tion of spirits during 1881/95 is in the main due to the new societies. In the
domain of legislation their success has, on the other hand, been less significant,
partly from the reason that the new radical proclivities do not easily combine with
the regard for individual liberty. At the side of this feature, there has not
seldom been conspicuous a more than necessary disregard of the work for smaller,
practical reforms that might easily have been carried out. Among the results achieved
must, however, be named the above-mentioned law of 1895 respecting the sale
of spirits, and the order of 1892 about compulsory instruction in the common
schools on the nature and effects of spirits.
A review of the fluctuations in the consumption of spirituous drinks in
Sweden is afforded by Table 44 and the diagram on page 277; cf. also Table 29,
page 154, and the diagram page 283. It ought to be mentioned that during låte
years the consumption of spirits has again considerably increased (in 1900 to 8’7
liters per inh.), which partly at least must be ascribed to the uncommonly
favourable economical conjunctures. As to the evident and since long prevailing increase
with regard to the consumption of beer, it must be börne in mind that the use of
this drink is, nevertheless, smaller in Sweden than in most countries of Europe
(see Table 29, p. 154). Beer, however, is very often used in Sweden as an
intoxicating drink, and is, therefore, violently assailed by the new total abstinence
societies, which, among other objects, are working to bring about an alcoholic
limit between weaker and stronger malt-drinks, a close control on the latter, and
separation of the beer and wine-trades from other business. A strong opinion
exists for introducing the Gothenburg system also into the sale of malt-drinks.
One peculiarity for Sweden is that no special duties are imposed, as yet, either
on the manufacture or on the sale of beer.
In 1889, the old Swedish Temperance Society (see p. 277) was again
reorganized. It is now working on moderate lines, chiefly through the
dissemination of tracts, for which purpose a State subvention is granted, and addresses
itself particularly to the educated classes. In 1902, the Society has got a great
donation, and is directing its work to a great extent to promote higher culture
among the lower classes. Its name is now changed into the Swedish Society for
promoting temperance and culture (Svenska sällskapet för nykterhet och
folkuppfostran).
1 Spirits (>Brännvin>) comprise according to Swedish law all liquors containing 25 £
alcohol and above. — s Reduced to 50 % alcohol. — a Including porter and small-beer
(Is-källardricka) but not »white becr» (Svagdricka). — 4 The beer estimated at 4 and the wine
at 10 % of alcohol.
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