AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION AROUSED

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 89, 22 November 1935, Page 8

AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION AROUSED

"REPEAL" OBSTACLES OVER-

COME

Until recently many people liked to believe that the advantages of prohibition in America outweighed the disadvantages, but all doubt was dispelled when America repealed the Eighteenth Amendment. So intense was the unpopularity of prohibition, that huge obstacles were overcome in order to get rid of it.

To repeal prohibition the United States had to pass a measure by a two-thirds majority recommending the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, and that measure had then to be voted on by 48 separate States, 36 of which had to ratify it in order that the Eighteenth Amendment could be repealed.

History has now shown that prohibition in practice was such a colossal disaster that in spite of the huge constitutional hurdle the men and women of the United States were so disappointed and disgusted with the evils and the expense of their great experiment that the necessary majorities were easily obtained.

America has paid heavily for her great mistake, and the object lesson should be taken to heart by all other countries. New Zealand has not the inclination for such an experiment, and, if she had, she certainly has not the money to pay for it. It is the duty of every New Zealander to vote Continuance at the forthcoming licensing referendum. (15)