A GREAT OBJECT LESSON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 27, 26 October 1918, Page 8

A GREAT OBJECT LESSON

PEOGRESS OF PROHIBITION IN U.S:A. '■ GOOD EFFECTS OF ADVERTISING. Tho New Zealand Alliance says it is gratifying to note that Prohibition as a principle has 'been accepted in the United States, and that nearly two-thirds of the area is now nnder prohibitory or partially prohibitory law. It is matter for surprise and consternation to tho Alliance,' however, that while Prohibition in America has beeii going ahead by leaps and bounds, there has been ho diminution—but an actual increase—in the quantities of alcoholic liquors consumed. ' ' •

Mr. AV.'B. Wheeler, in the .."American Issue" (the Prohibition organ), say's that the' United'--Stntes 'manufactured sixty-one million barrels 'if beer in 1916 —which .was nearly as much as nil the rest'of the world put together produced in that year; and/in sevon years (1909191G) the increased duty paid on 'boor and spirits in the United fc'tates in 191 C exceeded that paid in 1909 by over eleven million pounds sterling. r 'he exccitivc of the Alliance has come to the conclusion that the spread of Prohibition in America has in no way lessened consumption—but it does not publish tliis fact. Prohibition has been a good advertising medium for the liquor business in the U.S.A. State after State, we are told, has been captured,, and the following table gives the official returns of alcoholic consumption in the States-.— Consumption of Alcoholic Liquors in U.S.A. Qua.nt.ily Tear, Areas Dry. in Gallons. . 1904 ...'. 18 1.G(i3,77C,82!) 1916 2-t 2,252,272,765 America is nofy therefore, a good example to New Zealand, because (according to the N.Z. Year Book, p. 228) tho United States per inhabitant consumed nearly double the quantity of beer consumed in New Zealand—7s per cent. s more wine and 25 per cent, more whisky. Surely tho Alliance cannot, honestly nrge (he people of this country (o follow Hie example of the United States. And Hip Executive was filled with (oiieern and sadness when it read the cable _ messages in the iiewsjinnors at tho beginning of September of this year, slating that (the Bill for National Prohibition in tho United States was only for the period of the war, and that it. was not lo be put into operation until July 1, 1919; for the Alliance cannot hope thai: the war will continue until Hint date, however they may wish it. so that National Prohibition in America might be jHveti a chance! Is it not high, time the prohibitionists destroyed the brazen imago of their worship?" Theirs is certainly a violation of the First Commandment.—(By Arrangement.)