PROHIBITION IN THE UNITEDSTATES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2228, 16 July 1891, Page 1

PROHIBITION IN THE UNITEDSTATES.

The Hon. J. B. Patterson, late Commissioner of Customs for Victoria, has recently returned from a tour through America, and given his impressions on the subject of Prohibition in the United Statss. Pie is an impartial judge, and his words have an impartial ring about them. There is nothing one-sided at any rate. He says: “ A drunkard is not a common sight in the streets. The national beverage seems to be lager beer, which is extensively consumed. I made a good deal of inquiry on the subject of the liquor laws. I found that different States were called wet or dry according to whether they were Prohibitionsts or “ anti-pros.” In the States which have adopted prohibition pure and simple, the balance of evidence goes to prove that a better social condition prevails, and that crime has been greatly lessened. The diminution of crime has been marked in some of the prohibition states ; but to x*ender these laws effective, like all other laws, they must be the outcome and the expression of the popular sentiment. In those places where they are not really so they become a failure. The prohibition laws have their strongest supporters in the rural districts, but the sentiment is not nearly so strong in the towns, where it is, moreover, very difficult to enforce the liquor laws. So many people must have their beer, and both political parties bid highly for their support. But yet it seems to be universally admitted that no State which has once tried total prohibition is likely to repeal the law, which is generally supported by the churches, and above all, by the women, who exercise a wonderful power in this respect. We all know what they can do when they try, and in such a case as this they very properly make their influence felt. The opinion of the States is that local option pleases neither party, gives rise to perpetual fighting and irritation, and is in every way pronounced unsatisfactory.”