AMERICAN CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1926, Page 2

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

ANTI-PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN. WASHINGTON, Alarch 26. The first real offensive in a national campaign against prohibition was commenced with the introduction in the Senate, by Senator Edge, tho “ Wet ” leader, of a joint resolution calling for a prohibition referendum in the Congressional election of 1928. The resolution invites the individual States to conduct tho referendum separately, in connection with the elections to the Seventy-first Congress. It is noteworthy, however, that tho Presidential Election occurs at tho same time. The resolution provides details regarding how tho referendum should bo held, under the supervision of tho Postmaster-General and the Secretary for Commerce.

Tho question to be submitted to tho voters would ho as -follows: Shall Congress nmend the National Prohibition Act, so as to allow the manufacture, sale, transportation and possession’of beverages containing as great an amount of alcohol as is lawful under the Constitution, provided that such amendments shall not interference with the Constitutional powers of the several States to legislate with respect to intoxicating liquors as each State may deem proper.” In the States wllere the legislatures ~y or the authorities made no provision for a referendum by the Ist of July 1928. tho Postmaster-General and the Secretary of Commerce would bo empowered to make arrangements for tho referendum in that State. The resolution would authorise the appropriation of a sufficient sum for the administration of the resolution, ns desired by the Secretary of tho Treasury, wlho could reimburse tho States for any money spent in conducting the referendum. Tho resolution is one that must bo adopted by both the Senate and the House before it becomes effective. U.S.A. PROTEST. NEW YORK, ALarch 26. ' The Society for tho Suppression of Vice has published a report in which the Alagistrate’s Courts, tho newspapers, the United States Post Office, and the Department of Justice are all blamed for a deluge of indecent pictures and immoral literature which is flooding the country. The report charges tho newspapers with being in favour of indecency, because they are mainly interested in profits, and, therefore, do not wish to offend the largo amusement publications. It is alleged that persons have been acquitted, thereby emboldening the producers to further indecencies. Tho Post Office fails to sift the published matter, thereby carrying much that is corrupting and debasing. The Department of Justice, it says, investigates the malacious magazines only upon a complaint after distribution, by which time tho damage is done. f

US.A. POSTAGE REDUCED. • iNEW YORK, March 20. Tlic rate of newspaper postage for Australia has boon reduced to four cents per pound, from sixteen cents.

U.S.A. AIR PROGRAMME. WASHINGTON, Alarcli 26. The House Military Committee today approved of a five-year building programme designed to give tlic Army Air Service 2200 new planes at the end of that period, 1931.