WHEN THE HOTELS WERE CLOSED

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 6

WHEN THE HOTELS WERE CLOSED

. Sir,—l notice your correspondent "Watchman" lias not answered the charge that sly-grog establishments opened immediately the hotels were closed. A watchman's duty is to parade the particular block that he watches, but it has been my function to notice a large quuu•lily of liquor being delivered lo certain places immediately it was suggested that the licensed premises shonUvbe closed for the epidemic. And I know what. lam talking about. It is a pity, of course, that "Watchman" could walk round with two policemen, but surely ono policeman would have been suiiicient with a watchman to see what was going on in the particular block "Watchman" had to watch. And the other watchman might very well) have been detached to discover and explain the sly grog-shops, which arc—as has been said—the firstfruit? of enforced Prohibition. It is an injustice to the hote'kecpers of this city lo infer that when once their bars were sealed up the seals were broken in a promiscuous manner. No, Sir, even Prohibition of a moderate character, moderate, I. mean, in poiiil of time, proves the sly grog-sliop, amFsix drunks in ono morning; while the hotels were closed, is a great tribute to Prohibition effort, and a splendid indication of what is likely to take place if we should be so unfortunate in this country. to carry Prohibition. . The sly grug-siiop' and-the illicit trading are the twin offspring of Prohibition, and they are likely to grow and flourish in the future if what we hear is likely to be true.—l am, etc., MODERATE.