PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1923, Page 3

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

*m«# | CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP’S STATEMENTS. I : WELLINGTON. December 29. i Krum what lie saw in America. Arch- > bishop O'Shea, of Wellington, is convinced that I ’i nhibit inn. which had j been bn.light in as a war measure, had Toon made permanent by the big moneyed interests in America in the hope Hint l-y it- ontorcomciit they would get more efiieieney out nf their workers. Tlie-e wealthy employers had no intention of observing the law tliemselvers and were quite prepared to pay more for their liquor. The masses of the Amerieiiii people, realising tint the men who had made the law were not going to observe il • decided that tier would n*t observe it ‘'if'her. Ihe result was that under Prohibition there w;r. drink every when', some of it good and much of it very had. It is. declared Archbishop O'Shea, now going into homes which it had never entered lielure. It i- taken e" 1 every time people gn for a motor ride because they know they cannot procure it at the wayside inn-. Even women and girls are driukiMo now. The reason that, so ninny sensational inotor-enr accidents were ii.norted from the States was due. lie thought to the fact that whisky was tnkeii mi the trip, and the bottle had to be finished before the party rotiimwil home. Worse than all the Prohibition law was tending to create in America disrespect for all laws. “I am very glad New Zealanders, did not cup: Prohibition.” concluded Vrvhhishop O’Shea, “for He reason that had they don" so it might have driven Diem t<> drink." Archbishop Dulling, of Brisbane, vim is returning to Brislgmo. confirms the views of his ■brother cleric. He believes that reform is wanted in file ti'nde'. In 1 1 not Prohibition. *‘Aty American experience lias entirely oonfirnu'd mv views on the subject. he -aid. "Prohibition in America is tlngreatest failure ever known in that country. The anthorit ie- n'o si till'll' wits' end to know wli.sl to do in the matter. Prohibition in America ha - done more than anything else during the last century to engender disrespect fur the law. There are eve •■ day flagrant violations of the Prohibition laws simply Imcnuse tile people believe they are not morally bound to keep them. The private distilling if beer and whisky i- practically uni versa I. In my opinion it would be impossible for any (Idvei'iimeiit to enforce such a law. There is an impression in those count rio-’ (New Zealand and Australia) that Prohibition v: ibrought in by fhi* will of the people. Tt certainly existed in some states for ninny years before till' ei'iuying of the eighteenth Amendment, but it was abused in every one nf thorn and when it was (Kissed bv fVnniv-.- during tinwar li '■'■*:i l'ngaiafe*! .; .1 *vaj- measure. The Slat - ratified it. bur. Hie people hail no opportunity of voting on it. There was no referendum <u‘ Hie people, and they hail tin chance "f •accept ing or reject ing it. It bn- come to this in America: That pcnlo who loiighl Prohibition foruietTv bccnu-c ■ 'bey were in Hu- I r ule would vote in favour r*t it now. hccnu-c Hiev ran -tili carry on iheir liadn and make a "'"'•h larger profit Hi.an I liev mad: bo- . lore."