SPEAKEASY OWNERS READY FOR REPEAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19034, 1 April 1930, Page 1

SPEAKEASY OWNERS READY FOR REPEAL

WOULD WELCOME RETURN OF LIQUOR

(United Press Assn.—By Electric 'Telegraph— Copyright.) Murefr-W.^ H The result of a poll taken among speakeasy ” operators has been published in the “New York World,” which showed them to be overwhelmingly in favour of modification or repeal of the Prohibition laws. The principal reason offered was the problem faced by operators of graft expenditure, exploitation by the authorities and extortion by the police and Federal agents. The next most important hazards were:— (1) The possibility of official raids. (2) The fear of hold-ups bv gunmen who knew that their victims would not complain to the police. (3) The fear of “padlock” proceedings. (4) Higher rentals. (.5) Non-paying customers, such as the police. (6) The social stigma placed upon the “ speakeasy ’’ owner and liis family. (7) Loss of high-class patronage due to home delivery. The opinion virtually of all those questioned seemed to be expressed by the operator, who said: “ Sure. I:n for repeal. My last payment to the police will take me two months to make up.”