Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1922, Page 2

Tub accumulating evidence against the evils of prohibition in the United States and the fact that the law is being defied to such a serious extent, gives point to the attitude gene* ally assumed by the press of the Dominion, that New Zealand would be well advised indeed not to countenance the proposal on polling day. Tt is admitted over and over again that the press of this country is a “clean” press, and that there is not any suggestion of “graft” (as the term is known in America), why the press should advocate a course of action for private gains. When it is realised that the leading Dominion newspapers in every centre are voicing their views in the editorial columns agoinst the adoption of prohibition, it may he accepted that the opinions expressed are genuine and given forth solely in the public interest, In any case the present time of stringency and depression is not the occasion to take something of a leap in the dark. The adoption of prohibition—if it should he carried—would become enforceable on the Ist .Tuly , n( ,xt. There would not be any brea- ' thing time to set the financial house in order, even though Mir Massey has said that in extremities he will call . Parliament together earlier. That ao--1 tion alone suggests the financial difficulties ahead for they will become more and more accentuated under prohibition. The present is not the time to dislocate finance and trade, and for that reason the country will he well advised to vote our prohibition very decisively at this grave juncture in the country’s position.

SINCK writing the foregoing, the cable from America lias been published giving the progress report in regard to the Congressional elections proceeding throughout the United States. An earlier message stated the prohibition issue was not coming prominently into the issues, hut it would appear from the way in which the subject is featured in the progress report, that it was one of the domestic points of issue, which has had a material effect on the general results. Sufficient seems to be indicated that if the people of America had a straight out poll on liquor or no liquor, prohibition would go by the hoard! Hitherto the subject has been a side issue at the polls and there has not been the opportunity for a direct vote. What is happening in America under so-called prohibition seems to be wnrrimtry enough for a vote to lie taken directly on the matter. The present abuse of prohibition and the efiecls it is carrying in its train, might well account for the indirect verdict now given at the Congressional elections. The author of the prohibition clause is in danger of losing his seat, while his principal opponent is returned to Congress! In that instance America seems to give a verdict on the prohibition question which New Zealad might well con over when early next month it will vote on the main question of license or no license in this Dominion. The American decision seems to he of timely use and service to New Zealand.

Ariioros of the thought for the times to-day, it is interesting to note that speaking in Christchurch the other evening, lion G. IV. Russell, ex-Min-inter of Internal Affairs, said:— “There is a great wave of Liberalism growing throughout this country. It has been quiescent for some time, but the feeling is here, and my own opininn is that when the time comes the people will say that Mr Massey’s Government has outlived its usefulness and that the Liberal Party is once more to he returned to power. Mr '!essey is afraid of the Liberal Party, and he regards the Labour Party and its leaders as his best asset. Suppose the parties were even, and LaSour held the balance. Ido not suppose for one moment that Labour, would put the Liberals in. They will more likely to put Air Massey in, for they know that if they put the Liberals in for three years the Liberals will make good, but if they can keep Air Alassey in they will still have a chance. The objective of the Labour Party is Socialistic. Do you understand what tirnt means? It means 1 fiat there is to be no private ownership of property, and you cannot own, vour own house. Your life will be regulated the same way as it is done in Bolshevik Russia.- The Trades Council of Christchurch passed a resolution to the effect that they were opposed to the evolutionary method proposed for dealing with the economic situation, and were in favour of destroying the existing machinery in order that they might build upon the ruins the new order which they wanted.”