MR. C. P. SKERRETT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2500, 31 October 1922, Page 7 (Supplement)

MR. C. P. SKERRETT

K.C., On Impressions ol the United States (From ‘‘Evening Post,, January 21st, 1922.) Some interesting observations on various questions of the day were made by Mr 0. P. Skerrett, K.C., to an “Evening Post” representative to-day on the Tahiti, on which Mr Skerrett returned from a visit to Europe. Referring to Prohibition, he thought it clear that the working of Prohibition in the States afforded no argument in favour of its adoption elsewhere. It did not prohibit, said Mr Skerrett, and while it was to some extent restrictive, its operation in that respect was unsystematic and capricious. and carried in its train the gravest injury to the physical and moral well-being of the community. It was, he thought, clear, that the general feeling of tho people was opposed to the proper enforcement of the law, and otherwise law-abiding citizens felt no compunction in evading its requirements. So generally was that recognised that organisations were being formed by the supporters of Prohibition to create a spirit of loyalty for. the laws of the Constitution. Many Americans regarded Prohibition imposed by the Volstead Amendment as having been passed in a lefthanded manner. Be that as it might, stocks of good liquor existing in the States at the time of coining into force of Prohibition were becoming exhausted and' that led to the growing consumption of violent poisonous liquors. That consumption hod become a real danger to the public health He had read statements that Prohibition had succeeded in reducing the volume of crime in many of the States, but what seemed to ihim. to bo patent was that at present the United States was -the most lawless of countries possessing a stable government, that its civic government was' permeated by graft, tliat the arm of the law was fast falling into general contempt.