AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1923, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AN'I) N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION prohibition in tj.s.a. VOLSTEAD ACT DENOUNCED. (Received this day at 12.15 p.m.) NOW YORK, May 21.

An Albany telegram says that interesting developments arising out of the New York State Legislature’s repeal of the State Prohibition Enforcement Law (cabled on 4th. May), occurred to-day, when Governor Smith, before deciding whether to sign or veto the repeal, held an open court to obtain the views both of the drys and the wets, who conducted bitter campaigns. In view of the fact that the Governor’s action will likely-have a national influence, hundreds of organisations nml clubs sent delegations, wherein women were largely conspicuous on both sides and vigorous arguments occurred. The delegates presented Mr Compels’ letter to the Governor, denouncing the Volstead Act and declaring that no doubt the riper judgment of the American people on prohibition wilt force the next Congress to pass reasonable modifications of the prohibition law.

(Received this dav at 12.45 p.m.) HAN FRANCISCO, May 31. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle declared that he lias received a message from Lord Xorthcliffe's spirit warning him that only a wave of spiritual reform can save the world from catastrophe, which will make the world war -insignificant. Conan Doyle quotes the Northclitfo spirit as saying ‘‘The American 1 eoplo are too busy, and that was a mistake I made in my lifetime. I was too busy.” but lie could understand now that wisdom lias been lost, in the scramble for material progress.

Conan Doyle asserts that other spirits also warned him the world "as approaching a- terrible catastrophe and probably natural disturbances which will engulf whole continents.