U.S.A. Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1922, Page 4

U.S.A. Politics.

- -SMIMR HARDING’S PROPOSALS. DRY LAW DIFFICULTY. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. WASHINGTON, December 8. President Harding has sent a- message to Congress outlining the most extensive legislative-programme for many years. Presumably answering M. Clemenceair. President Harding, in effect, declared 'that America had not shirked, and would not shirk, international obligations nor would she permit any infringemet of American rights anywhere; but the Government “would not engage in any treaties, aimed alliances. or any commitments where either a Council or an Assembly of leagued nations may chart America’s course.” DRY LAW. The President emphatically called on the nation to uphold the Prohibition Amendment, declaring, however that the conditions relating to its enforcement savours now of a nation-wide scandal. He denounced those who would break down the Prohibition Law as breeding contempt for the law, which would ultimately destroy the American Repiiblio- He assorts that the prohibition enforcement problem was the most demoralising factor in American public life. The President predicted that the Prohibition Amendment never will be repealed. He says ho intends to call a conference of the State Governors to work out a definite policy for the administration of the Dry Law. DOMESTIC LEGISLATION.

The domestic legislation recommended includes the enlargement of the powers of the Farm Loan Board to provide ample agricultural, live stock, and production credits. Secondly, ho says the Government operation of transport does not afford a cure for the country’s transportation ills. The railways ought to he merged into a few systems, their equipment being posted. Thirdly, ho urges the abolition of the Railway Labour Board, and the substitution for it of a four-man tribunal, within the Interstate Commerce Commission. Fourthly, antistrike measures are recommended so as to provide for the enforcement of this tribunal’s decrees. Fifthly, ho recommends a new Constitutional Amendment against child labour. Sixthly there is a plan to draft the entire nation’s resource in war time. Lastly, the President urges a new law for the registration of aliens, de-c-hiring that many alien-, are abusing America’s hospitality. President Harding promises a broadminded use of tile flexible provision of the tariff, stating the United States does not contemplate commcrciul aloofness. nor any other aloofness, which would he contrary to the best American traditions and < lie loftiest human purposes. He hoped the world would not got the impress on that, because America is attending to domestic problems, she is unsyinp.it! ptie or immincliul of her inter'nati.tr: I duty. ‘AVe would,” he s: id, “lejoiee to help to rehabilitate (lie currency sys-tc-nis and lac-ilitat - - ali commerce whi h does not drag us c<> the- very level of those we seek to upliD. ” FOP. ETC X R El. AT lONS. The Washington correspondent of the New York “Times” learns that President Harding, in announcing other international agreements similar to fcni - - Power Pacific Treaty can lie negotiated, believes he has c>] oiled the way for an association iif nations siich as lie advocated during his election campaign.

11. is understood the President is hopeful such a treaty can ho duplicated by an agreement among Atlantic nations. Mr Harding has not thought of taking immediate action, hut hopes to get such a favourable reaction that negotiations can event rally he n] c-ned CLE.MEXCKAU'S TOI'IL

WASHINGTON, December lb M. Clementee.u. in a -p cell at Philadelphia, said that lie proposed opening up negotiations at Washingnii for an agreement between t'.'c Uiitid States and other nations, to take the place of the League of Nations, it would he s-:c'i an agreement is President Harding !ms hinted at in his message to Congress. M. Clement can declared that ho did not believe in the League of Nations ns a means of preventing war. j LATER, j M. Clenicnce in. in hi- speeches, quot- ‘ etl it passage from President Harding’s | address to ( eng e-s. I h. owing to J the length of to I ’re Mont's speech | was pot included in the ally siimniar- , ies. The passage i ds: —-‘‘The Four Power Pact, v hirli lr s abolished every prospect, of war in the Pacific, has brought new confidence in maitiTaining peace. I inn well believe that it can be made a model for like assurances wherever i-i the world any common interests are concerned. We bare expressed the hostility of the American people to any siipo--Government or to any commitment where either a Council of an Assembly of leagued powers may dial t our course.’’ M. Clemen <-in declared that he felt greatly dunlin ml bv ibis declaration implying that such a pact on the At- : lantie would assure the world peace that lie is seeking. JAPAN’S NAVY. Washington, December ». Mr Hughes (Secretary of State) published a despatch from the American Ambassador at Tokio. outlining the Japanese Government's progress in -scrapping war voxels under the Washington Treaty. The report shows Japan has suspended ill work all work on four of the ea; it,-) ships unde- construction when the trect'C-s were signed and 11 ships have l-oen ro-fially dismantled.