LIQUOR LAWS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 April 1926, Page 5

LIQUOR LAWS.

BENEFITS OF PROHIBITION.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC

BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. WASHINGTON, April 16. “Dry” witnesses, testifying before the Senate Committee, claimed success for prohibition. Dr. Haven, speaking for the Federal Council of Churches, declared that prohibition had wrought social and economic blessings. He asserted that the “wets” were acting for the brewers in seeking a modification of the Volstead law. A former Health Commissioner oi New York declared that prohibition tad aided the improvement in health in the largest city of the United States. There were fewer deaths from alcoholism in 1921, when liquor rvas more readily accessible, than now. Mrs Green, a member of the Cleveland City Council, claimed that the prohibition law had reduced drunkenness and aided morality, had decreased crime, and had encouraged children to right living. Lee Beatty, a social worker, claimed that a former New York slum was now a clean, healthful community, due to prohibition. Seven hundred and fifty churches of seventeen denominations presented a resolution pledging support for a tightening of the present enforcement regulations.

Mr W. Raney, former Attorney-Gen-eral for Ontario, toldthe committee that the legislation for light beer in Ontario had been a failure. The “wets” were dissatisfied because it was insufficient; the “drys” were opposed to the legislation because it was weakening enforcement. The experiment of other ■Canadian provinces with the Government distribution of “hard” liquor had likewise fallen into disrepute. He charged Quebec with fostering drinking habits among the people, rather than discouraging them. The recent police investigation in Montreal had revealed sensational conditions of drinking, prostitution, protection for crime and wrong-doing, but it has resulted in little change. Convictions for violations of the Narcotic Act during 1924 numbered 581 in British Columbia and 225 in Quebec, both of which nad Government control of liquor, whereas there were only a hundred convictions in Ontario, where there was prohibition. Mr Raney said Manitoba’s gaol population had increased when regulations succeeded prohibition. . \. Professor ‘ Irving Fisher, Yale University economist, said prohibition had created a defiant attitude among college students, but it had saved the United States' 600,000,000 dollars merely through increased industrial energy, and therefore should be retained.

DEALING WITH SMUGGLERS

NEGOTIATIONS FOR TREATY WITH BRITAIN. WASHINGTON, April 10. The State Department proposes to place another stumbling block in the path of rum smugglers by a supplementary' liquor treaty with Great Britain, having for its object the prevention of the. exportation from the British Isles of liquor intended for Rum Row. Informal conferences have been held between the State Department and British officials, at which the ground work for such negotiations has been laid, and if President Coolidge approves, it is planned to send l a mission to London to frame the treaty'.

It is believed, that the administration igi prepared' to enter into a reciprocal agreement with Great Britain to prohibit the exportation from the: United States of any' goods considered to be contraband by other Governments It is also understood that prohibition officials are seeking am agreement permitting American officials to search ships in the British West Indies.