DOES PROHIBITION PROHIBIT?

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 42, 4 November 1925, Page 29

DOES PROHIBITION PROHIBIT?

CONDITIONS IN AMERICA. COMMENT BY REV. DR. KELLY. The Rev. Dr. Kelly, who returned to Dunedin on Thursday, after " a holiday tour abroad, spent several weeks in America, and in an interview with a Daily Times reporter he made some striking comments on the subject of Prohibition as it operates in the United States to-day. Dr. Kelly said that in Canada light wines and beer were supplied with meals in hotels and restaurants. Spirits could be bought at the stores, not more than one bottfe at a time, and it must not be drunk on the premises. Many who were formerly Prohibitionists said that the system was very satisfactory, and a real measure of reform. “There is no prohibition in the States,” Dr. Kelly continued. “During six weeks there 1 did not meet one person who regarded it as a. success, and most of those whom asked about it said that it had made drinking common among the young people, and had diminished respect for law. Even the Federation of Churches admitted that it was not a success, and, further, they confessed that the optimistic statements of prohibitionists could not be taken seriously. “In California . the leader of the dry movement asked for a sum of 30,000,000dr to fight rum-running in that one State, which is certainly an eloquent confession of failure after five years. “Everybody can get drink. The poor get moonshine liquors, and those who are able to. pay for it get real whisky and wine in abundance. One can get it in the restaurants, and even the lift men in the hotels can procure it for guests who want it. Most people laugh and say it is a farce, but to say it is a tragedy is nearer the, truth. - ; :u y -