VOTES TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1922, Page 7

VOTES TALK.

A sound index to what a community thinks of any measure, is the voting on it. Votes talk in an unmistakable manner. Members of parlianiontary hoases vote as they know the people, the majority, wish them to vote. Apply this test to prohibition ill the U.S.A. On October 13th, 101!). the Volstead Law to enforce the Prohibition Amendment was passed by Congress by 230 for to «n against. On October 28th the Senate passed it by (i."> for to 20 against. In 1020. after more than a year of nation-wide prohibition came the Presidential elections. Mr. Harding said that if elected he would enforce tho prohibition law in letter and in spirit. Mr. Cox was the recognised 'wet' candidate. Tbe voting was, for Mr. Harding. 16,141,029: for Mr. Cox. fi.l39,Rßi>— a clear majority of over 7 million votes for "dry" .Mr. Harding. But, you say, there were other issues besides prohibition in the Presidential elections -that's not a fair test. Very well. Ohio, with a population of 5 millions, went dry in 1918 by a majority of 2.7,000. The "wets" said it was "put over" while the soldiers were awa3\ In 1020 the soldiers were all back homo in Ohio, and a measure wan introduced to ensure strict enforcement of the prohibition law. It was put to popular vote and carried by a majority of 200,141. In New York City there were in 1019, over 5,300,000 people represented by 21 Congressmen who voted against the Volstead Law. In September, 1921, Judge Reuben Haskell sought nomination as a candidate for Mayor and promised he would not enforce the law. Mr. 11. H. Curran also stood and pledged himself to enforce the prohibition law. The voting was, out of a Republican vote of 175,211, for Haskell 2!\4.">8. for Curran. 103,174, a majority of 73,711 iin favour of enforcement. An attempt was made to reintroduce beer by legalising its manufacture for ''medicinal" purposes. An Anti-Beer bill to prevent this passed through Congres-s by 250 to 03. and through the Senate by 3!) to 20. Delayed by "Wet" obstruction it had (o come to a second vote in the Senate, and it then passed on November 18th last by .111 for to 22 against and is now law. The majority living under prohibition arc satisfied with it. Prohibition is worth a trial.- N.Z. Alliance Publioiiv | Ad.) _____ (22)