WET OR DRY?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 29 March 1926, Page 9

WET OR DRY?

National Campaign In America. NATIONAL CAMPAIGN IN AMERICA. AGAINST PROHIBITION. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 28, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 2G.

The first real offensive in a national campaign against prohibition commenced with the introduction in tlm Senate by Senator Edge (wet leader) of a. joint resolution calling ior a national referendum on the question of prohibition in the Congressional election of 1928. The resolution invited individual States to conduct a referendum separately in connection with l.hc elections to the seventy-first Congress. It is noteworthy, however, that the presidential election occurs at the same date. The resolution provides details regarding how the referendum should be held under the supervision of T he Postmaster-General and the Secretary of Commerce.

The question to be submitted to voters would be as follows: “Shall Congress amend the National Prohibition Act bo a.s to allow the manufacture, sale, transportation, nnd possession of beverages containing as groat an amount of alcohol a.s is lawful under the constitution.” Such 'amendment shall not interfere with the constitutional powers of the several Eta tea to legislate with respect to intoxicating liquors, ns each State may deem • proper. In States where the Legislatures or the authorities have made no provision for a referendum by July 1. 1928, the Postmaster-Genera! and the Secretary of Commerce would bo empowered to riiake arrangements for a referendum in that State. The resolution would authorise the appropriation of a sufficient sum for administration, a.s desired by thc Secretary of the Treasury, who could reimburse the States for any money spent in conducting the referendum.

The resolution must be adopted bv both Senate and House before it becomes effective.