PROHIBITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 83, 18 January 1930, Page 5

PROHIBITION.

THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY. "A NOBLE EXPERIMENT." (United Press Association—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, January 16. The tenth anniversary of the institution of Prohibition on January 1, 1920, was celebrated to-dayi throughout the nation. In Congress, Senator Blaine offered a resolution for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, declaring that it was not able to be enforced except with sheriffs and a Federal Judge in every township. "Experience demonstrates that Prohibition is a failure. It is bound to be a failure. Any law to regulate the purely personal habits and customs of the people has always been a' failure. Nowhere, and in no time, has Prohibition been enforced, nor is it able to be enforced." Senator Sheppard rose to review the achievements "of the noble experiment." He said: "Prohibition continues its triumphant trend, and is necessary in this age of machinery." Mr Cooper, speaking in the House of Representatives, said: "The history of the liquor traffic reveals it as a foe to orderly government, and a breeder of lawlessness?<• On. no other terms can the law-abiding people of our country meet it, except upon that of unconditional surrender."

VIGOROUS CELEBRATION. CONTROL ON THE BORDER. WASHINGTON, January 16. The anniversary was celebrated with remarkable vigour and in various ways, in a number of cities throughout the United States. Boston saw the Liberal Civic League, which opposes Prohibition, hold a meeting "in memory of the death of liberty, and of the 1363 persons who have been killed in the civil war of Prohibition."

Organised "drys," represented by the W.C.T.U., heard the United States Commissioner of Prohibition, Dr. J. M. Doran, outline the more progressively successful work of his unit. "America is becoming gradually dryer every day." he said.

How public sentiment was divided was indicated by the wearing of white rosettes by Prohibitionists and black by anti-i Prohibitionists. The. Chica'go W.C.T.U. had a birthday party with a cake surmounted by 10 candles. The cake was cut and the guests were served. Their slogan was: "It is in the constitution, and it is there to stay." Detroit saw a meeting of representatives of the National Anti-Saloon League, at which a reaffirmation of their.policy was read. -'The need of such an organisation as the AntiSaloon League was never more imperative than to-day," it was said. "'The task to which the League is committed has not been fully accomplished. Resolutely and devotely we set ourselves to the completion of the task. We stand for adequate appropriations to meet the demand for making the Eighteenth Amendment fully effective."

Another interesting development during the day was the exchange of liquor treaties between Japan and tlie United States, whereby the former extends to America t.'ie right to" board, search and seize Japanese vessels illegally carrying liquor within an hour's sailing distance of the United States shores

It has been announced that a Canadian and American conference to examine the. question of border control, for the purpose of better controlling the flow of liquor across the Canadian line, will shortly be held. It is understood that no effort will be made, to conclude a treaty on the question, but unofficial agreements would be worked out for mutual egoperation.