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Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1928, Page 2

The figures disclosed by the voting on the liquor question in New South Wales on Saturday, suggests that the people took a special interest in the poll. The voting was large, and the majority re-c-orrjed against prohibition leaves no

doubt as to the mind of the people on the issue. New South Wales contains a considerable leaven of Americans. Many of the business premises in Sydney are now conducted by former citizens of the United States. We should not be surprised if that element had considerable effect on the result, for folk from the Sates invariably tell the story of how prohibition operates there with the conclusion and impression that it would bo a very good tiling for other countries to avoid. New South Wales is very much in touch with America, both in public opinion and commerce, if not banking, and will have more first hand knowledge of the position in the States. Apart from that, Australians as an outdoor people have a more tlhecrful outlook of life, and would view the question from different points of view. They have studied the disabilities of prohibition nationally, and learned something of the difficulty to enforce it nationally. With that knowledge and experience it is perhaps not at all surprising that they vetoed the proposal of prohibition in such a decisive manner. Their action rather gives the world a lead in such matters.