PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 16

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

ENFORCEMENT OE THE LAW. WASHINGTON, June 10. The Federal Prohibition Commissioner, Mr Haynes, issues a statement recounting his work done during the first two years of the Harding Administration in the enforcement of prohibition. He declares that the sentiment of the country is glowing in favour of the enforcement, and expresses the confident hope that the problem is growing progressively easier of solution, though he is etill unable to obtain adequate co-operation in many Eastern communities, especially on the Atlantic seaboard. The Federal Government has conducted 65,750 criminal and 3500 civil cases against the prohibition violators, and has secured 43,905 and 2314 convictions respectively, more than 6,500,000d0l in fines having been collected. SHIP'S LIQUOR REGULATIONS. WASHINGTON, June 11. Following an inquiry bv the Frencn Embassy whether under the ships’' liquor regulations a crew’s wine rations could be served from a ship’s sea stores or medicinal stores, the State Department announces that this is impossible. The ship's physician could prescribe from the medicinal stores in the event of illness. SUGGESTED TREATY. THE AMERICAN LAW. WASHINGTON, June 13. It is learnt on the highest authority that the United States Government has proposed a treaty with the foreign Powers which is designed to prevent liquor smuggling and to settle objections to the prohibition shipping regulations. The treaty which is proposed would extend the three-mile limit to 12 miles, so that the American revenue patrols could/exercise greater search and seizure powers. In return foreign vessels would be permitted to bring liquor into American waters under seal, though the crews would not be allowed rations while the vessel was in port. Mr Hughes has communicated this plan to the various Embassies.

RESENTED BY FRENCH SEAMEN". NEW YORK, June 13. Before the steamship France, of the French line, sailed for "Havre, 270 out the crew of 600 served notice on the captain that they would not return to New York with the ship if the regulation forbidding the wine ration is continued. Tne crew while in port has been without wine. The officers of the company announce that the notice will be disregarded. No wine will be served while the ship is in United States territorial waters, and the schedule will be maintained at all costs. A ciew would be reciuited if

necessary from the student officers of the French Marine. School. A NOVEL SUGGESTION. LONDON, June 13. Dir J. Nall (C onservative) in the House of Commons, moved the second reading of i tlie Private Members’ Bill, stipulating that all ships entering British ports shall carry reasonable supplies of alcoholic liquors for the requirements of the passengers and crew. Mr Nall declared : ‘ This is a logical consequence of Ameiieas action in reference to ships entering her ports.” Sir F. G. Banbury seconded the motion. Mr C. G. Amnion .Labour), in opposing the motion, said that the Bill was in insult to t.bo American people. Cries of ‘‘No I'’ Sir F. G. Banbury interjected: "I am not in the habit of taking things lying do wn. ” —i Cheers.) The debate was adjourned. TWELVE MILE LIMIT PROPOSED. WASHINGTON, June 16. The draft Liquor Treaty, proposing a twelve-mile limit, is ready for submission ; to the foreign Powers. It is explained that • the draft envisages no extension of terri- ! torial waters, the new limit existing only j temporarily and applicable to those vessels which may be hovering within the larger -limit with the purpose of a violation of I the American laws. The Treaty would j merely extend the search limit for articles | of importation which are prohibited by the j contracting parties. There is nothing to ! substantiate the objection that under such | a Treaty France might attempt to search j vessels in the English Channel because the j draft makes the agreement strictly recipro- | cal between the United States and the i other party, lienee it is inapplicable be--1 tween another party and a third nation. SOUTH AMERICAN ROUTE.

NEW IORK, June 16. | Mr Lamport Holt announces that the : liners on the South American route will discharge their surplus liquor in Bermuda i in consequence of the American prohibi- : tion regulations. INVESTIGATORS SATISFIED. NEW YORK, June 14 Investigators of the working of prohibition after completing a six months' tour of the United States, declare that prohibition is a success. They believe that the prohibition law is invulnerable, but they : are amazed at the allegedly slight expenditure for its enforcement and for counteracting the propaganda issued in the liquor interests. DEATHS AT PHILADELPHIA. NEW YORK, June 14. A message from Philadelphia states that a coroner's investigator has announced that 502 persons have died from poisonous liquors at Philadelphia during the past file months.