CORRESPONDENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3136, 25 September 1922, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor, Dear Sir, I am a subscriber to your paper and feel that you will give me space in your columns to say a few words on the subject that is again being widely discussed—Prohibition. The average New Zealander does not subscribe to many of the American papers and has 'to rely on lectures, and general reports which are not always trustworthy. The New York Times says that the arrests for drunkenness inChicago during 1921 amounted to 51,300. Compared with New Zealand the population of Chicago is twice as great but the number of "drunks" in 'dry'' Chicago is six times as great as in temperate "wet" New Zealand. The Solicitor General of the United Stales of America, said in June l as t_ "Prohibition has led to an appalling increase in crime, a great growth in the use of drugs and a lessening of respect of law.'' The New York Commissioner of Police said in June last— "Prohibition is a failure. Last year wc had more arrests for drunkenness than the year before prohibition came into force." The figures quoted above for Chicago are not peculiar to that city, because the average there shown applies to thirty of the largest cities in the United States of America as published a few weeks ago. I can quote exact figures if required. Now what does this tend to show? Simply that prohibition does not stop drinking. It simply drives it underground so to speak, into the hands of sly groggers. Far better to have the liquor made by experienced brewers under Government supervision; and keep the trade cut in the open so as to supervise and regulate its operation. The growth of temperance in New Zealand under education is one of the outstanding features of the Dominion's History during recent years. According to official figures the arrests for drunkenness here have decreased by no less than 41 per cent during the past six years. To-day under License, New Zealand is easily the most sober civilised country in the world, while under prohibition, the American is becoming just the reverse. Verily here we have the "Modern Miracle." I am, Etc. ••jjajri Fact^