AMERICA AND PROHIBITION.

Southland Times, Issue 18972, 20 June 1923, Page 2

AMERICA AND PROHIBITION.

To the Editor. Sir,—Your readers will appreciate the clear statement made by your correspondent “Vigilance” on the question of the success of prohibition in America. All that your correspondent wrote has been fully confirmed by the recent cable which appeared in the Times on Friday’s issue, as follows : Investigators of the working of prohibition after completing a six months’ tour of the United States declare that prohibition is a success. They believe the prohibition law is invulnerable, but are amazed at the alleged light expenditure for enforcement, and for counteracting propaganda issued in liquor interest. We can well believe that more than 40 out of the 48 States observe the prohibition law just as well as the other laws enacted in America, and where this holds it is found invariably that a most substantial reduction in crime, poverty and disease, and a marked increase of prosperity, well-being and comfort obtains. Those interested in this great reform must remember that in New York, New Jersey and Chicago there are probably more persons of ill repute who are destitute of the first principles of patriotism and good citizenship than of the whole population of New Zealand, and who are prepared to break the laws of the. U.S.A, for the sake of illicit gains by pandering to the depraved appetite of those who in days of license contracted a great thirst for alcoholic beverages. It is stated in the cablegram that the expenditure is light in connection with the enforcement of the prohibition law. Even if it were heavy the law would have to be observed, as the economic aspect alone is of enormous benefit to that great country, and besides, there is no country more conscious of the fact that they have not only to fight the illegal sale of liquor within their own borders; but the liquor interests of Europe and Britain combined.— I am, etc., “HUMANITY.” SOUTHLAND REPS, 1923. To the Editor Sir,—As the time will shortly arrive to select a Southland fifteen to meet 1 the New Zealand Maori representatives, may I submit the following as a side which, in my opinion, would worthily do battle in the interests of the province. Full back: Boroman. Threequarters: Brown, Coakley/ R. Oughton. Five-eighths: (Ist) Hazlett (2nd) Ijopdell. Half: J- S. Oughton. Back row : J. Fraser. Blick. Middle: Richardson. H. Strang, White Front row: Acton. Rice. Wing forward: Johnston (Pirates). I am, etc., “SOUTHLANDER."