Canadian Clergymen Condemn Prohibition and Praise State Control

NZ Truth, Issue 1196, 1 November 1928, Page 4

Canadian Clergymen Condemn Prohibition and Praise State Control

Canada gave an extended trial to Prohibition, but has now abandoned it m favour of State Control. The first province to adopt State Control was Quebec, arid the results were so satisfactory that province after : province has followed the example, and to-day, only the two small districts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are under prohibitory laws. Seeking the reason for this remarkable demonstration of public feeling against Prohibition, the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association wrote to leading citizens of Canada, and the replies received, from leaders of public thought jn all walks of life, indicate that ProhibitionVas found to be such a tragic mistake that it has been banislml for ever from our sister British Dominion.: Among the many replies condemning Prohibition, and praising State Con- . trol, are a number from leading Churchmen, of which the following are typical examples:— Copy of Letter from the Most Reverend , David Wiljiams, Anglican Archbishop, Diocese of Huron, and Metropolitan of Ontario. The Archbishop's Room, Bishop Cronyn Hall, London, Canada, May; 18, 1928. '.The "Dominion Secretary; New Zealand Licensing Reform Association. Dear Mr. Armstrong, » ! Your letter of April 24 received, and m reply, let me say : (Government Control). 1, The moral effect has been altogeth:er good: It has removed the temptations to subterfuges for the evasion of law. The young people no longer consider it "smart" to have, a ; whisky bottle at parties — a custom unknown before Prohibition days, but now happily passing away, since there is nothing . "smart" m having what everybody can get if they want it. . f. So far as we can judge, the general sobriety has improved. There ■ haye been -fewer convictions for drunkenness. Though the number : of motors; both local and tourist, has' been nearly^ doubled m this province; the 'cases of drunken drivers Have been actually less than under. Prohibition. „, .1 8. For, many years public drunkenness v has not been characteristic of the people of this province^ Public opinion regards it as a disgrace, and our Captains of Industry insist on sobriety m their workmen. The ', during. Prohibition was prpbably duetto:: poisonous liquors fr6'iiji-.bopt-?eg'gers'i i -vrjt^..is a .rare thirij? now^to^see-aSdrahken man on-our streets/*; ■'%£•'s&' '•/■*' ■'£''■■.. „ 4. I f have ho "means '6f knowing; howthe'health, of^ the community -has been' affected,? . y IV ? -.-■ ■; .. : ~.^--..v'y 6. There is a '.'r^viyai-jbf <t?ade -going on at, the pi*e|ejit:; i tini,e; u ,b)ut this! was coming in.^ny^case; and' jirob ably is not 'due' to* the change "from Prohi■t bitibti. The people are contented .-and 'happy... 9. The moderate .users-are quite satisfled^ with State Cojltrbl. ?.; The only people who desire a return of Prohibition^are principally Methodists, %Jth whom it is almost .;. an article of faithi The ;; great majority of - the people want no return.' I am, of course, greatly interested m yidur-" method of deaUng with' the Liquor .Problem. We, m Ontario, have tried ';all three of the methods you mention, ';.arid I have no hesitation m saying that >;State Control is the best. . The other itvro are bad. The only question is, ; which of them is the worst. Private - ownership tends to encourage drunkenness, which is bad. Prohibition tends to encourage bootlegging and the drug habit, and so to demoralise the young, to irritate the law-abiding, and to ■ create a general disrespect for law, all of which are bad. I might add that every important province m Canada, except one, tried Prohibition, and Avithin ten years, every one abandoned it ■m favour of Government control. , .The one exception adopted Government Control instead of Prohibition. Now, Government Control is practically universal m this Dominion," and to the best of my .knowledge, the people as a ; whole are satisfied with it. Believe me, Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) DAVID HURON. Copy of Letter from Yen. A. E. Burgett, M.A., Archdeacon of . Edmon-. ton North, Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. . ;: May 24, 1&28. Dear Sir, — In- reply to your questions of April 24 I beg to state as follows:— 1. The substitution of - State Control for Prohibition m Alberta has . been followed by excellent results. Under Prohibition there was lavy- : lessness, and it led to much drink- - ing of "bootleg" whisky and intemperance. Since State Control was >..; . established I hardly ever see a 1 drunken man. State Control has < had a good moral effect/ "•1. Under Prohibition the young people V. were taking to drinking to an [':'", alarming extent, which led to other ■;;; ; and worfee vices. , Public dances of ;; all kinds were the "scene of drink- % ing by both sexes. It was due to '' . the complete failure of Prohibition :; : ; / that the. Province threw it out—r, / the country and towns showing an "''- immense majority for State Con-- .;';■.. trol m every part of the Province. SI. Public drunkenness has decreased ■v : , , under State Control. 4. The health of the community has improved under State Control. 5., Things are decidedly; better under State Control. ,:|. "Bes, the moderate users of alcohol are satisfied with quality of liquors and method of supply. Before, no • one knew what he was getting and' vile poison was the cause of many ■ deaths and much sickness. 7. No. Just a few fanatics desire to return, but the country as a whole is strongly against Prohibition, and I neither see nor hear any signs '.{■ of a wish; to go. back; to Prohibition. Private ownership ■' was abused. ;■ Prohibition was a complete failure. State Control is a decided success; ,:'■' ' Yours truly, (Sgd.) A. E. BURGETT . (Archdeacon). . As the people of New Zealand will jiave the opportunity of declaring for. :a middle course between the extremes .'.of prohibition and continuance of conditions at the. approaching >poll, the foregoing testimony should influence those desirous of securing real temperance reform to cast their votes for the middle issue of, State Purchase and Control.*