CANADIAN MEDICAL MEN PRAISE STATE CONTROL OF LIQUOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 264, 7 November 1928, Page 16

CANADIAN MEDICAL MEN PRAISE STATE CONTROL OF LIQUOR.

The extended trial that Canada gave to prohibition convinced the leaders of thought in every walk of life that it was a lamentable failure. The abandonment of prohibition, and the institution of State control in its place, has resulted in widespread, satisfaction. Among the many letters received from prominent Canadians, condemning prohibition and praising State control, are several from leaders of the medical profession, from which the following extracts arc taken: — Dr. H. B. Anderson, of Toronto, Ontario, writes:— "I may say that I have always been in favour of as much restriction in the use of alcoholic beverages as public sentiment will permit. I voted for the Ontario Temperance Act (Prohibition) when it was introduced some years ago; but the apparent impossibility of its enforcement under three successive Governments, the development of bootlegging to an unheardof extent, with the ■ consequent enrichment of a most undesirable class of the population, the tendency to lawlessness, the frequent death, blindness, or serious illnes* from poisonous alcohol and other abuses, convinced me that prohibi-. Tory legislation jin advance of public sentiment was a failure. A gradually growing sentiment in favour of temperance and greater sobriety among the people, noticeable for some years before prohibitory legislation was introduced, .received, a distinct setback. The present Government control system is being given a fair trial, and the Commission enforcing it is acting firmly and vigorously. I believe the present system (State control) is a great improvement on tho state of affairs which existed under socalled prohibition, and has the approval of a large majority of the people."

Dr. J. Algernon Temple, M.D., LL.D., M.R.C.S. (Kng.), Past President of the Ontario Medical Association, Toronto, writes: —

"In my opinion the moral effect of the substitution of Government Control for the system of Prohibition previously in force has been beneficial. I am of the opinion that the 11*0 "f alcohol by the people, under the Government control system, is restricted to normal quantities, and that the abuse of alcohol has been largely curtailed. In my opinion we are rapidly, under prohibition, approaching , a. complete disregard of law and order, and in no places were the effects so disastrous as in the home; where children daily witnessed the use of alcohol, purchased illegally by their parents, who were thus openly breaking what was then the law of the country. This unfortunate condition produced the inevitable reaction in the immature mind of youth, which displayed itself by the boastful and flagrant indulgence by both sexes in the use of alcohol. There is no question of the unhappy effects then engendered, but these may be overcome by parental and school educational efforts, backed by I a, wise and fearless State supervision, which in turn carries behind it the definite support and obligation of its citizens." Dr. Herbert A. Bruce, F.R.C.S. (Eng.), Toronto, writes: — "The substitution of State Control in place of the system of prohibition previously in force has had a very beneficial effect. Instead of the question of where alcoholic beverages may be procured—a very prominent subject for every social gathering-—one now never hears it discussed. I think there is a real improvement in general happiness, and certainly the State has had evidence of increased prosperity by getting the revenue derived from the sale of liquor instead of this finding its way into the hands of the bootleggers. Everybody seems quite satisfied with the present law. I personally feel very strongly that the system of State Control is vastly superior to prohibition."

The expression of opinion from Canada in favour of State Control as against prohibition is so overwhelming that the people of New Zealand must heed the example of our sister British Dominion. At the approaching poll electors will have the opportunity of declaring against prohibition, and in favour of true temperance, by voting for State Purchase and Control. — (Ad.)