PROHIBITION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 53, 17 October 1911, Page 7

PROHIBITION.

THE MAINE VOTE

The latest news from Maine, to tlie effect that the referendum recently taken has resulted in a substantial victory for the temperance party, lias an air of finality, hut there is no reason why New Zealand people of any shade of opinion should he trying to draw morals for local consumption from the doings of our American cousins (remarks an exchange). Prohibition in Maine exists apart from any system of local option and it provides no parallel for the scheme of national prohibition that is to bo submitted to the New Zealand voters .for tho first time before the end of this year. The Interstate Commerce Commission of the United States has reported that some 20,000,000 gallons of whisky are sent into tlie prohibited areas every year under the powers given to tho manufacturers by the Federal laws, which exist side by side with tho State laws. Maine cannot prevent tho importation of liquor into its territory through tho postal and parcel express services, and much of the controversy that lias raged round its liquor law has arisen from this fact. Mr A. Maurice Low, writing in tho “National Review,” says that the spread of prohibition in tlie Southern States lias been duo very largely to a de sire to prevent the negroes getting strong drink, and he quotes the “Times Despatch,” a newpaper published in the Virginian capital, as declaring that some amendment of tho Federal law will bo necessary in order that prohibition may prohibit. But while tho position of affairs in tho Republic shows plainly the inconvenience of the Federal system of government Now Zealand’s national responsibilities remain her own, to be discharged in her own way. Wo are inclined to think that most people in this country are tired of hearing about tho state of the prohibition cause in Maine.*