LIQUOR PROHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3613, 12 June 1923, Page 26

LIQUOR PROHIBITION.

INTERNATIONAL COMPLICATIONS I EARED. NEW YORK, June 3. The New York Times Washington correspondent states that despite earlier intimations that the Government would temper the ships’ liquor ruling the Treasury has published regulations which will become effective on June 10, making it impossible for any vessel to carry liquors for beverage purposes in the United States territorial -waters save as medicinal stores, for which a ship must obtain a permit from an officer of the American Public Health Service. The regulations make only one concession, that is where a- foreign country’s laws specifically mention the kind and the quantity of liquors which the vessels under its flag must carry as medicinal stores. The American Public Health Service shall issue permits for such. It is now’ questionable whether the crews’ liquor rations can be included under the heading medicinal stores. It is generally admitted that the new regulations will result in many international complications, and the effect will be to damage American commerce. A PROFITABLE TRADE. LONDON, June 3. The first of the Scottish whisky steamers which started for the United States in December has returned after disposing of 36,000 cases, on which, it is reported, a profit of £125,000 was made. The crew’ said that the vessel anchored outside the three-mile limit. The American smugglers, some in the craziest boats afloat, but mostly in fast motors, came alongside and hastily loaded 100 cases or whatever they could carry, and then made off for their secret landing places. Gangs of “bootlegging” pirates infested the waters and attacked some of the Scottish vessels. STATEMENT BY MR BALDWIN. LONDON, June 5. In the House of Commons Mr Stanley Baldwin, replying to a question, said that the Government did not contend that a ship entering the territorial waters of another country did not subject itself to that country’s jurisdiction, hut as a matter of international comity such jurisdiction was not generally exercised, except to restrain acts likely to disturb public order. No possible disturbance to public order in the United States or any other country could arise from the existence in American territorial waters of liquor under the seal of the Government. He accordingly suggested to the United States that the latter’s proposed regulations might be discussed with the other maritime Powers before Jffieir enforcement. Mr Baldwin said he understood that the United States could not see its way to comply with this request.

AMERICAN DECISION TO STAND. NEW YORK, June 6. Hie United States Government has rejected a suggestion that the whole question of bringing liquor into American waters on foreign ships should be submitted to an international conference. The Administration regards the question as purely domestic, and will refuse to recognise the jurisdiction of any international tribunal such as a World Court. PADLOCK PROVISION APPLIED. NEW YORK, June 6. The padlock provision of the Volstead Act, on which the Federal officials plan increasingly to rely as the result of the repeal of the State enforcement, was applied against the Knickerbocker Grill m Broadway, which the court ordered to be closed for six months as a public nuisance. HUGE SWINDLE ALLEGED. NEW YORK, .Tune 7. The agents of the Department of Justice arrested 13 persons, who are accused of counterfeiting physicians’ liquor prescription forms, revenue stamps, and permits for the withdrawal of alcoholic beverages from Government warehouses. The counterfeiters included three of the custodians of such warehouses. The agents state that the Government has been swindled out of millions of dollars through the activities of this band. REPEAL OF ACT APPROVED. NEW YORK, June l. At Madison the Wisconsin State Assembly approved of repealing the State Prohibition Enforcement Act by 47 votes to 43. According to local procedure the Bill was sent for engrossment, whereafter it will be re-submitted to the Assembly, when the same vote is expected for its formal ratification. Thereafter the measure will be sent to the Senate, which has previously killed several less drastic anti-prohibition proposals. HUGE PROFITS MADE. NEW YORK, June 8. The United- Press Association’s correspondent, after investigating bootlegging operations across the Canadian border, reports that 25,000 gallons of Canadian liquor, which was bottled in bond, has been smuggled into New York State since the Government signed the Enforcement Law Repeal Act. Nearly 400 motors are engaged in running liquor across the border. The correspondent declares that the traffic is handled like a regular business, and is netting huge profits for the Canadian dealers.

LIQUOR ON LINERS. LONDON, June 9. (Received June 10, at 5.5 p.m.) The Mauretania, sailing from Southampton on Saturday, will be the last ship bound for America carrying enough liquor for the return trip. The Tyrrlienia, sailing on Monday, will take only enough to last to the American three-mile limit, returning dry. AUSTRALIAN VESSELS AFFECTED. NEW YORK, June 9. The Customs authorities have announced that the crews of steamships carrying liquor and entering New York Harbour, after 5 o’clock to-night will be kept aboard until the departure of the vessels. This step is explained as the carrying out of the Treasury Department's ruling barring liquor within the threemile limit, which becomes effective from midnight to-night. The Government has put a fleet of 12 vessels, armed with 4-inch guns into service outside the three-mile limit, to stop the rum-runmng boats, which are Ling off the territorial waters here in large numbers. One battle occurred during the night. The fleet fired several shots, which did not damage the rum-running vessels, but which cut the rigging of two freighters, which were not seen owing to the darkness. Tile Government vessels are very speedy, and some of them are able to do 30 knots an hour. The Australian Press Association is officially informed that Australian vessels sailing from home ports after midnight tonight may not touch at any American port, either insular or continental, exce.pl the Philippines, Panama, or the canal zone, if they carry any liquor aboard for other than strictly medicinal purposes. Any Australian vessel which is already en route to the United States or an insular possession at (midnight, however, will be permitted to enter ports with liquor, but must immediately obtain permits from the port officers to retain it under seal. Officials declare that the liquor ban vitally affects Australian lines which are accustomed to touch at the Hawaiian Islands en route to Pacific Coast ports. These vessels must either forgo Honolulu as a port of call or carry liquor only to the Hawaiian three-mile limit, where tho remaining liqiuor must be thrown overboard, or ships must cease to carry liquor altogether. The steamship companies interested in the Pacific trade have protested that this requirement may mean trouble with the crews. ESTIMATING LIQUOR REQUIREMENTS. LONDON, June 10. Intending passengers to New York by the Majestic on Wednesday have been supplied with forms, upon which they are required to estimate the amount of liquor they are likely to want on the voyage. This must be paid for, and if there if any unconsumed it will be heaved overboard when the three-mile limit is reached. If a passenger under-estimates his re quirements he must endure deprivation.