King Country Chronicle Tuesday, January 13, 1925. PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2066, 13 January 1925, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Tuesday, January 13, 1925. PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

The investigation by the Senatorial Committee into the United States Deportment of Prohibition Enforcement will be watched with interest. From the allegations and denials of the rival parties, which were for some time almost the only available evidence it was difficult to get a clear idea of the position. Of late, however, it has become difficult to ignore the opinions of many New Zealanders returning from the United States that there was something radically wrong with the great Republic's experiment in liqrior control. On the top of this evidence come the revelations which have been the cause of the present investigation. They make sad reading, especially for those who hoped to see that the solution of one of civilisation's greatest problems had been found. Witnesses in the New Jersey scandal described Congressmen taking motor car 6 full of forbidden liquor to parties where gambling and licentious practices were rife, and drunken Congressmen rolling on the very floor of the House, charges against them being hushed up. Jludge Gary, who headed the deputation to President Coolidge, said that disobedience of the liquor laws was so rife that he feared for the country's institutions. It will be recalled in this connection that the opponents of prohibition always argued that it would engender a wholesale disrespect for the whole body of the country's haws. One of the worst features has been the comparative immunity from the prohibition Jaw and its penalties enjoyed by rich and powerful persons. This was referred to by Mr J. D. Rockefeller, jiinr., during the deputation's interview with the President, when he emphasised the necessity for obedience to the ilaw without distinction of class. The refusal of the Senatorial Committee to permit the publication of the evidence it is hearing, because, allegedly, it would reveal another scandal, seems very significant in the face of Mr Rockefeller's statement. When it is remembered what exalted personages were involved in the recent oil scandals, the Committee's attitude does not appear to indicate a fearless and impartial policy.