PROHIBITION IN CLUTHA: A FAILURF.

Otago Witness, Issue 2362, 1 June 1899, Page 62

PROHIBITION IN CLUTHA: A FAILURF.

A pamphlet has been issued under the above caption as a counterblast to the prohibitionists, who claim that prohibition in the Clutha has been a success in a marked degree. author, who does not disclose his identity, claims to be an ex-prohibi-tionist, who has voted " no-license " on each occasion when a local option vote has been taken. As the result of personal obseivations and inquiry, he says, his experience is that as much liquor can be obtained in Clutha under " no-licerse " as under license, while in other respects the condition of the district is worse under so-called prohibition than under regulated license. The writer of the pamphlet quotes extensively from the court records of the district to show that the people of Clutha have not been benefited either morally or .socially by the abolition of licensed houses in that district. There has been a marked falling oil in the convictions for drunkenness during the three and a-half years under prohibition, as against those in a similar period prior to the carrying of the no-license vote. The prohibitionists have based the greater part of their argument "on this fact ; but figures are quoted in the pamphlet to controvert the contention of the prohibitionists that there has been a diminution of crime in the district as the result of prohibition. As the pamphlets have been scattered broadcast, the public can judge for themselves as to the force of the prohibitionist and anti-prohibitionist contentions respectively. There is much controversy on the subject. The demoralising effect of sly grog-selling is discussed in the pamphlet. The effect of prohibition on trade is shown by a round robin signed by 31 business people of Balclutha, whose names are published in the pamplilet. As regards the merits or demerits of the pamphlet we have nothing to say, much preferring that those interested should read it and draw their own inference from its contents.

Some doctors die wealthy. Probate of the will of the late Sir W. Jenner has been granted, the estate being eworn at £385,000. "While Mr Dwight L. Moody was recently exhorting a San Francisco audience to show charity to criminals, a thief stole his ovoj. COR*.