“THIRSTY” AMERICA?

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170576, 5 August 1921, Page 5

“THIRSTY” AMERICA?

’o the Editor of “ Timaru Herald.” Sir,' —Could anything be more abjurd than the cable message, in this morning’s ‘‘Herald,” describing America’s thirst as “insatiable” despite national prohibition. Anyone who reads the paragraph with the slightest thought will see. at once that there, is not a crumb of comfort in it for those who would seek to discredit prohibition. The message states that for the past fiscal year five million dollars worth of liquor was imported into America. Now America has a population estimated at 110 millions, so that the amount of liquor imported represents less than two-pence-half-penny per head per year. Why, this would not give a teaspoonful per week to every individual! Surely there is nothing in this to justify the statement about America’s thirst being “insatiable.” Here at least he would not be considered much of a toper whose thirst could be satisfied by a teaspoonful once in seven days. In Britain the drink bill for last year ovor £lO per head, and the New Zealand drink bi11—£7,587,229 —represents over £G per head. The thirst in these lands might be described as “insatiable,” but the importation of 2Jd worth of liquor per head does not justify the application of such a

term to America’s thirst.' Moreover j it ought to be remembered that alco- j . holic liquor is still allowable in Ame- i | ric'a for medical and other purposes, j I In the light of this fact it is re- ! ; markable that the importations only ; amounted to 2jj=d per head per year, j The great majority of the American people seem to be well satisfied with prohibition. President Harding said recently: “In every community men and women have ha'd an opportunity to know what prohibition means. They know that debts are ; more promptly paid; that men take , home the wages that once were j wasted in saloons; that families are better clothed and fed, - and more money finds its way into the savings bank. As President I will ensure j ; that the prohibition law will be enforced in spirit as well as letter. No one need have any doubt on that point.”—l am, etc., i T. STINSON, j Timaru, 4th August.