THE LIMITS OF PROHIBITION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1109, 24 April 1911, Page 4

THE LIMITS OF PROHIBITION.

A POINT OF LAW. The Kev. K. Walker, a prominent member of the No-License party, has been investigating :i somewhat fine point of law, and lias communicated the result to it (Jhrittcliurch paper. At present if is quite lawful for any person to make home-made fermented beverages for home consumption, but not for sale. The question is whether, under absolute prohibition provided for by the new Licensing Act, a person will still be able to mako liquor for home consumption. The Act slate.-; that under prohibition there must be no manufacture at liquor. The inference i>; that liquor must not lw made in any way. Mr. Walker, after guing into the subject, however, is convinced that, if the question is brought before the Courts, the word "nr.inulactiiro" will 1» taken to mean "make for sale." In that case national prohibition will not interfere with present practices in regard to home-made fermented beverages. "The housewife who makes scones, tarts, and other delicacies for the family," is. Mr. Walker's contention, "does not stylo herself a manufacturer, but us soon as sho doas the same kind of work on a large scale for gain sue becomes a manufacturer of the goods." As another illustration, he says, "I may make a wheelbarrow for myself, and I am not a manufacturer; but, like the housewife and her cookery, as soon as I make wheelbarrows in 'large numbers sell them, I become a manufacturer." He has conferred with two influential members of the House of Representatives, both of whom are supporters of the KoI.icense movement, and both of them agree with him. He adds that if the contention is correct it completely undermines statements in regard to compelling people to be teetotallers and interfering with their liberty, as set out in Professor Salmond's pamphlet.