Prohibition in Canada.

Evening Star, Issue 8613, 5 September 1891, Page 4

Prohibition in Canada.

A good deal has been heard of late about the failure of the Canada Temperance (or Local Option) Act, We have been told bow the Act has been sot aside and license readopted in so many counties and towns of Ontario; and while there is much exaggeration in what is so stated, there is in it a measure of truth. It is also true that this fast and loose playing with "local option ” has fostered and strengthened the demand for a total Prohibition throughout the Dominion, At the last general election a strong Prohibition party was returned to the Dominion Parliament, and early in the session "the question of immediate National Prohibition” came up for consideration. The Government, for financial reasons, fought for delay, aud to stave off the decisive vote proposed that a Royal Commission be appointed " to investigate and report upon the results of all systems of liquor legislation in different countries,” This proposal was carried by 107 to 88. The Government spokesman was the Hon. George £. Foster, Minister of Finance. This gentleman has been for many years one of the ablest of Canada’s Prohibition advocates. Now, with the responsibilities of the Dominion finance on his shoulders, and as a party leader, he is somewhat cautious, but is far from repudiating his Prohibition sentiments. Speaking to the subject in the House the bon. gentleman said :—" I have not changed my views as to the principle from the time that I bad views open this subject, whether it be fifteen years ago or whether it be later. 1 to-day believe In the principle of Prohibition just as strongly and more strongly than I have in any other previous part of my life. I believe also in the feasibility of the principle of Prohibition. I do not count a gold dollar one single moment in the balance against one single ray of light or bVppiness that comes into the humblest home In this country. If this Parliament agrees to it, I am here to state that no better thing could be done in this country than to exchange 7,500,000d0l of revenue to the country for a country blessed with the sobriety and peace and consequent plenty that I believe would oome from a well-ordered and well-enforced prohibitory law.” The following text of the motion for a Royal Commission defines the lines upon which the work of that body will be conducted:—"That in the opinion of this Honse it is desirable without delay to obtain for the informs tion and consideration of Parliament, by means of a Royal Commission, the fullest and most reliable data possible respecting—(l) The effects of the liquor traffic upon all interests affected by It in Canada. (2) The measures which ijave been adopted in this and other countries, with a view to lessen, regulate* ° r prohibit the traffic. (3) The results of these measures in each case. (4) The effect of the enactment of a prohibitory liquor law in Canada would have in respect to social conditions* agrioul-

tural business, industrial and commercial interests, of the revenue requirements of municipalities, provinces, and the Dominion, and also as to its capability of efficient enforcement. (8) All other information bearing on the question of Prohibition. Writing Of the debatb, a torofato correspondent says ; The parliamentary fight for National Prohibition, which has terminated for the present year, has been an aggressive and memorable one in all respects. In the fall of 1890 several religious denominations, by arrangement, entered upon a vigorous petitioning campaign, The work has been well managed, and all the friends of Prohibition have given their co-operation. The result is disappointing to many, but was foreseen by the well informed. It is not a defeat, but a postponement. All depends now upon the spirit and thoroughness with which the Royal Commission performs its duties, and the continued activity and discretion of the temperance forces. There will be stirring scenes at the great National Prohibition Convention, which is to meet in Toronto in September.” The hope that National Prohibition must be an accomplished fact before long is Undiminished. The Montreal 4 Daily Witness * says The new Premier acknowledges to his temperance followers, who have come to Parliament pledged to vote for Prohibition, that there is no doubt that Prohibition has, got to come, and that the party will have to face it."— [Communicated ]