HOOVER POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 August 1932, Page 7

HOOVER POLICY

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN PROHIBITION AMENDMENT NO CANCELLATION OF WAR DEBT’S (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) WASHINGTON, llLh August. President Hoover in accepting re-no-mination for the Presidency, declared that he believed a change in national Prohibition is necessary “to remedy present evils” that have grown up under it. As to the economic situation, he spoke of new plans, looking to a movement “from defence to a powerful attack upon depression,” an assertion said in high quarters to embrace the carrying out of his recently enunciated nine point programme, as well as other propositions not ready for announcement.

A declaration for new Prohibition is set up in which States will be allowed to bo wet or dry as they wished, but subject to constitutional guarantees to protect each “from interference and invasion by its neighbours; and that in no part of the United States will there be a return to the saloon system.” President Hoover lashed out at the Democratic platform proposal for the outright repeal of Prohibition as meaning a “return to the saloon system with its corruption and moral and social abuse.” Under the 18th Amendment of late there has grown up increasing illegal traffic in liquor. In some areas the spread of disrespect “not only for this law but for all laws, constitutes grave clanger of the practical nullification of the Constitution, degeneration in municipal Government, and increase in subsidised crime and violence. I cannot consent to the continuation of that regime,” he declared. He reviewed the Administration’s record for the alleviation of the economic situation, saying :hat measures had been taken to repel attacks of fear and panic. He promised to propose more measures to speed recovery. He reiterated his opposition to the cancellation of war debts, at the same time expressing the assurance that the country would consider adjustments “if for any particular annual payment, we are offered some other tangible form of compensation, such as the extension of markets for American agriculture and labour.” He favoured sound currency, protective tariff, immigration restriction, the revision of railway laws, federal regulation of inter-state power, the conservation of national resources, balanced budgets, federal economy, the St. Lawrence river seaway, and adherence to a World Court with reservations. He made reference to foreign affairs but without mentioning the Japan and China situation last winter, or the current Chaco dispute between Bolivia and Paraguay He told of having projected into international diplomacy a now doctrine “that we do not and never will' recognise a title to possession of territory gained in the violation of peace pacts.” Saying that he had received the flood of telegrams ever to come into the White House on his acceptance speech, President Hoover today told newspapermen that it would be impossible to answer each message. He asked them to make a general acknowledgment. President Hoover announced to-day that lie was ready to call a general conference of business and industrial leaders to seek united action over a wide front towards economic recovery. The date will be decided on Monday.