BAN ON LIQUOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1922, Page 5

BAN ON LIQUOR.

SHIPS MUST BE DRY.

AMERICA’S DRASTIC LAW.

GREAT CONCERN FELT. By Tfelegrapli.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received October 25, 11.40 p.m. New York, Oct. 25. The decision of Judge Hand, upholding the Daugherty ruling, preventing ships trading to America from carrying liquor, caused serious disquietude among foreign and American shipping concerns here. It aroused a great deal of public interest and has left the Harding Administration indecisively in mid air. Legal experts point out that Judge Hand could not do otherwise than uphold the Daugherty ruling, yet further interpretation of Judge Hand’s decision shows inconsistencies. He permits foreign vessels whose national laws order a grog ration among crews to continue such if they deposit each a twenty-five thousand dollar bond to assure that liquor will not be used for other purposes, and permits American vessels bound for the United States to load liquor if they consume same before reaching United States territorial waters. It is pointed out that American vessels were American territory before the Daugherty ruling, which allows American vessels at mid sea to carry liquor.

White House first authorised an announcement immediately after Judge Hand’s decision was published that the Daugherty ruling would be immediately enforced. " This was later altered, it is believed upon Unofficial representations of foreign representatives. It was pointed out that insular possessions which depend on foreign vessels for the maintenance of trade would seriously suffer, because foreign ships would refuse to call there a<s a result of the liquor ruling. It was furthermore pointed out that American shipping, for which the Administration is anxious to secure a subsidy in order to enable it to compete with foreign lines, would receive a grave setback even if it obtained the subsidy if it could not supply liquor to passengers. A -special meeting of Cabinet was called for to-day to discuss these various points, after which it was estimated the Daugherty ruling would not be enforced until the Supreme Court gave a final decision, which is expected in six or eight weeks. Tn the meantime foreign and American lines are pooling their resources and have sent a formidable legal staff to Washington to defend their interests. The whole subject is being heatedly discussed in the Press and concern is felt for the out-come.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.