PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 77, 31 March 1924, Page 5

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

SIX SAILORS ARRESTED. 136 BOTTLES CHAMPAGNE. NEW YORK, March 30. Six members of the crew of the Megantic were arrested. The Customs officers discovered 136 bottles of champagne being lowered from the steamer into a, motor boat.—(Reuter.) The Megantic is a White Star liner of 14,878 tons, trading between Britain and America.' SOBRIETY PER DESTROYER. NAVY TO CATCH SMUGGLERS.. WASHINGTON, March 30. In oraer to stop the growing activities of rum-runners and opiate smugglers on the Atlantic coast, two Government departments have begun extraordinary arrangements to provide more men and extra equipment to cope -with the situation. It is announced that 19 destroyers will be repaired—Congress having appropriated 100,000 dollars for that purpose— and will be incorporated as a coast guard to patrol the eastern waters and so more effectively cope' with the liquor fleet, which is growing progressively larger and more aggressive. Congress will be asked for larger appropriations to provide increased customs guard contingents at the eastern ports, especially New York, where the present force is insufficient to prevent drug smugglers. This "is continuing on a higher scale, not only among professional smugglers, but members of the crews of incoming vessels. The Internal Revenue Bureau is determined to intensify its efforts to halt the traffic, which is now reaching dangerous proportions. —(A. and N.Z. Cable.)