whenever, for diplomatic reasons, the licence would come more
gracefully from an authority unconnected with the court. These
considerations, added to the general objection to the principle
of censorship, seem sufficient to put the arbitration expedient
quite out of the question.

END OF THE FIRST PART OF THE REJECTED STATEMENT.


THE REJECTED STATEMENT: PART TWO

THE LICENSING OF THEATRES

THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN LICENSING AND CENSORSHIP

It must not be concluded that the uncompromising abolition of all
censorship involves the abandonment of all control and regulation
of theatres. Factories are regulated in the public interest; but
there is no censorship of factories. For example, many persons
are sincerely convinced that cotton clothing is unhealthy; that
alcoholic drinks are demoralizing; and that playing-cards are the
devil's picture-books. But though the factories in which cotton,
whiskey, and cards are manufactured are stringently regulated
under the factory code and the Public Health and Building Acts,
the inspectors appointed to carry out these Acts never go to a
manufacturer and inform him that unless he manufactures woollens
instead of cottons, ginger-beer instead of whiskey, Bibles
instead of playing-cards, he will be forbidden to place his
products on the market. In the case of premises licensed for the
sale of spirits the authorities go a step further. A public-house