PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11451, 27 February 1931, Page 3

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

MODIFICATION FAVORED

LARGE NUMBER UNEMPLOYED

After a. visit to Canada and the United States, .Mr. J hi- Fletcher, M.l’.. who returned bv the Niagara on Monday, expressed Hie opinion that prohibition, as implied by the term, was non-existent in America. PProhibition lias simply never been tried in America.” lie said. • Mr. Fletcher said that in spite ol the recognised failure ul the. authorities lo puL the prohibition ‘law into operation, wliut luul uctuully bej-'Ji achieved was the abolition ol die saloon. There seemed to be a gtowhio feeling in America, however, in favor of wiiat was being done in Canada, namely, Stale control, particularly in the sale 'of light liquors. “Economic, conditions in Hie,States seem to be far from good, if one judges from, .the number of people who aro unemployed,” said Mr. li letcuer. “The authorities aumit there are 5,000,000 persons unemployed and, when pressed, do not deny that the figure might be nearer 8,0(10.000, and there is, no sign of an improvement in the, economic situation. 1 here is a realisation, however, that America must disperse its gold reserve before economic conditions ’ can : improve.”