THE LIQUOR ISSUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1922, Page 5

THE LIQUOR ISSUE.

POSITION IN AMERICA. IS FEELING CHANGING? THE PRESIDENT’S POLICY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.-—Copyright. Received Nov. 19, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 17. Apparently unfounded reports that President Harding, in two letters to prominent Republicans, had expressed the view that while he did not expect the prohibition amendment would ever be repealed, he believed the public mind was changing and liberalisation in enforcement would result, caused such a sensation that an authorised spokesman gave the Press the following outline of the President’s views: “Definite hostility to prohibition is being expressed in certain quarters, but prohibition will be the political issue for years to come. President Harding’s position is unchanged, he having voted as a Senator for prohibition and the Volstead Act, while as Presidential candidate he declared for its strict enforcement, and as President! he ordered enforcement through the Daugherty ruling. The President, however, has taken cognisance of the ‘wet’ gains at the recent elections. He has no intention of asking Congress for beer and light wines at present, but if assured that the country fa not merely undergoing temporary reaction, and really demands beer and wines, he will endeavor to meet the demand.” When the aforementioned letters were sent, the recipients did not divulge their contents, but reports of meetings at which outlines of the letters were read indicated that the President favored less rigid prohibition. The recipients later denied that these reports were accurate, but their insistence resulted in the statement of President Harding’s position. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.