The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1923.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1923.

AMERICAN MADE PROHIBITION. TnE substantial defeat of national prohibition in this Dominion by fully 25,000 votes, was no doubt in the main, attributable to the many object lessons so opportunely afforded by the position in America wherefrom all sources came reports which were indicative of the abuse rather than the use of prohibition for the uplifting of the people. That the conditions in American are not at all exaggerated, is evidenced further by the following extract front a letter by a New York correspondent to a leading London commercial journal, who, under the caption “the farce of prohibition.” writes as follows: The public continues to he amused at the farcical performances that go on front day to day in the name of Prohibition. The latest pronouncement is. however, more serious. The Attorney-General has issued a legal opinion that it is illegal for American ships to bo selling or carrying alcoholic liquors on their vessels. But this is not at all. His sweeping decision includes foreign vessels from which lie would exclude liquor. This is another matter, and one that is likely to lead to serious trouble. Americans who like personal liberty, and always look to Great Britain as the land where it is practised to the full. capncKcpnccivc that Great Britain

"ill .submil to such a ruling without a ■ lionnous light in the courts here. It has always been regarded that an Anio.’i an vessel is American territoiy, and that a British vessel is British territory. AVhat right, therefore, has an.ill,er Government to trench in on that territory ? According to the Dougherty decision a foreign vessel can carry liquor until she comes within the threemile limit, and then it becomes illegal under the Prohibition law. The fact of the matter is that under the abolition

of liquor on board American vessels, there is going to he a serious loss of trade to them. Americans in large numbers "ill Hock to British vessels where liquor can lie had on trips where American ports do not have to bo touched. It is this that the decision is trying to get at—-to even up the handicap so that British and other vessels will not be able to leave these shores with liquor for its passengers, and so that they have no advantage over Ameriean vessels. But there is this differ-ence---if Great Britain is beaten in the Courts- for Americans certainly look for the British companies to gel out an '.injunction and stop interference while the ease goes to trial, which limy last for a couple of yean—she can have her vessels that leave New York touch at Halifax, either way. and that will enable her to take on all (he liquor for her passengers that is required, at least, for a greater part, of tlm journey. This tyrannical prohibition law, that is causing his country a terrible amount of expense to carry out but not to enforce, and is spreading tbe use of narcoties in its place, while experience shows there are more drunken persons than before, is due to lie modified sooner or later in favour of light wines and beer-. Political unities are alrcadt making il an issue.