ANTI-PROHIBITION

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 156, 29 March 1926, Page 7

ANTI-PROHIBITION

CAMPAIGN IN UNITED STATES FIRST REAL OFFENSIVE BEGUN NATIONAL REFERENDUM PROPOSED The anti.prohibition forces In the United States have begun their first real offensive. Congress is being asked to approve of a national referendum on the matter.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. UiPYBIGBT(Rec. March 27, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, March 26.

The first real offensive in-the national campaign against prohibition commenced with the introduction in the Senate bv Senator Edge, “wet” leader, of a joint resolution calling for a national , e rre’H.um on prohibition in the Congressional election of 1928. ine resolution invited the individual States to conduct a referendum separately in connection with the elections to the seventy-first Congress. It is noteworthy, however, that a Presidential election occurs at the same time. The resolution provides details regarding how the referendum should be held under tlie supervision of the PostmasterGeneral and the Secretary of Commerce. The question to be submitted to the voters would be as follow: —

Shall Congress amend the National Prohibition Act so as to allow the manufacture, sale, transportation, and possession of beverages containing as great an amount of alcohol as is lawful under the Constitution, provided that such amendments shall not interfere with the constitutional powers of the several States to legislate with respect i to intoxicating liquors as each j State may decan proper? . 1 In a State where the Legislature or authorities had made no provision for a referendum by July 1, 1928, the Post-master-General and the Secretary ot Commerce would be empowered to make arrangements for a referendum in that State. The resolution would authorise the appropriation of a sufficient sum for the administration of the resolution as desired by the Secretary of the Treasury, who could reimburse States for any money spent in conducting the referendum. The resolution must be adopted by both Senate and House before it becomes effective. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.