The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-13
PROHIBITION In
CANADA Is STRONG
Liquor Interests in Ottawa Waiting
for Something to Turn
| Up

OTTAWA, Feb. 13-Of the great
variety of questions to come before
Parliament in the coming session,
none, perhaps, is as general in it's in
terest as that of prohibition. 1t is
to come up, but just in what form
seems still matter of uncertainty.
The existing enactment, operating as
a war measure, will need to be val
uated so far as it applies to period
of twelve months after the war.
How much further the law will go.
is more or less an open question.
Many views are being poured into the
ears of the Government The pro-
hibitionists are very active. They
have delegations here. They are
holding mass meetings, and are carry
ing on an extensive campaign of pub
licity. What they ask is the per-
manency of the present prohibitory
measure, with the qualifying condi-
ton that, after six months notice,
there will be a national plebiscite. In
support of this view, and what is sub
mitted as it's reasonableness, many
representations are being made to
the Government.
The liquor interests are very quies-
cent. They have sent no delegations
to Ottawa, and are not openly pulling
any wires. Like Micawber they are
waiting for something to their favor
to turn up.
The essential opposition to pro-
/ bihitioy, oo,,,oc f7o,,, :, oIoce ,,,bo coil
themselves temperance people, but
who enjoy drink now and then, and
who are chafng under the existing
restrictions and restraint. Even they
arc not particularly outspoken in
public, though their views are finding
q quiet expression hereabouts. One
thing seems certain, that the bar
is going, and is not coming back
People who are opposing resource to
q bone dry law are very emphatic in
declaring it is not the bar they want
SO much as q place where, under GER
tain restrictions, wine and, beer, any
way and perhaps spirits, car be had.
Many would be satisfied if the Gov
eminent not only controlled the whole
business, but took it over itself. Eli
cit stills and boot-leggers, and the
sale of poisonous liquors instead of
the pure stuff are foreshadowed as a
result of complete prohibition.
1t will not be surprising if in the
coming session the Government val
idates the existing measure for a
year after peace is proclaimed, and
at the end of that time, when the
soldiers are all back, have national
plebiscite on the question Of the con-
tinuance of the law. To go this far
legislation will be necessary, and the
subject is likely to be discussed rath-
| er fully.
All the provinces now have prohi-
\ bition except Quebec, where it is eff
fective May 1st. Reports have come
{ here from time to time indicating the
probable modification of the Act in
that province, now that the war is
over, but Sir Lorimer Gouin's an
nouncement holds no encouragement
for that view. Unless the Act, which
has to be supplemented by further leg
islation, is amended by the legislature
everything will go by the board
beer and wines as well as the "hard
stuff" For the maintenance Of the old
established brewing industry, strong
influences are being exerted, and
somewhat pathetic appeals made
against the wiping out of an almost
historic institution.