Scottish Permissive Bill and Temperance Association

Scottish Permissive Bill and Temperance Association was a British citizen organisation entirely outside of political parties.

Up to that time the temperance movement in Scotland had been conducted largely on moral suasion lines, but the founders of this Association, while fully recognising the principle of Total Abstinence carried out into consistent practice, as the only certain remedy for intemperance, were convinced by long and painful experience that it was next to impossible to secure anything like a general reception of and fidelity to its principles while the licensed temptations of the Drink Traffic existed, and that its suppression was only possible through the united efforts of moral reformers, whether abstainers or not.

They resolved, therefore, to endeavour to unite the power and influence of the Scottish abstainers with that of all who saw the necessity for the suppression of the Liquor Traffic in the best interests of the Commonwealth.

[2] The Scottish Permissive Bill and Temperance Association worked in full harmony with the United Kingdom Alliance, especially in promoting the Permissive Bill of Sir Wilfrid Lawson, Bart., M. P. It was for a number of years cooperated with Peter McLagan, Esq., M.P., who introduced into the House of Commons the Local Veto (Scotland) Bill, which provided that the ratepayers, in any area or district, may, by their direct votes, suppress all licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors in such area or district, should they desire to do so.

[4] While the Association gave its best help to every measure brought forward in the interests of true Temperance, it never swerved from its belief in the inherent evil of the Drink Traffic.