New-York tribune., 1920-01-11
Canadian sDrys'
Demand Action
To Enforce Law
Reference in u. S. Papers to
Canada as 1.-THE Drunken
Neighbor of a Sober Ma
tiOn'' Has Aroused Interest
Would Bar Whisky Sale
Complications of the Liquor
Situation Are Due to Lack
of Uniform Regulations
Special .Correspondsnce

Special Correspondence
OTTAWA. Canada. Jan. 10.--Refer
enccs in the American border press te
Canada as the drunken neighbor of 8
sober, Industrious United States have
aroused the prohibition forces of the
eight provinces outside Quebec to make
insistent demands that the government
Eight of the nine provinces have voted
dry" most of them by overwhelming
majorities; yet Quebec, the only one
to adhere 'tc the principle Of personal
liberty as to drinking. actually is dryer
than the "dry" territory.
This is due to the fact that the
dominion law, stripped of war time
inhibitions by the Cabinet December 81,
permits the people of the dry provinces
vincial enactments prevent the export
of alcoholic beverages to Quebec, which
is mainly dependent on the United
States for its supplies. And this con-
dition will obtain for at least three
months, as it will require that much
time for the provincial legislatures to
provide for the plebiscite generally
demanded to pass on the question Of
killing the liquor traffic by barring it
absolutely from commerce.
Hope for Export Extension
Meanwhile from the United States
and from Quebec imports of case goods
are steadily growing. Cellars in all
the "dry" provinces are gradually fill
ing with wines and liquors, purchased
by forehanded citizens who voted to
abolish the saloon but are yet unwill-
ing to face dry future without
something with which to slake thirst.
Hopes even are being expressed that
the United States will extend the time
for legally exporting liquor to the Ca
madam "dry" provinces beyond the con-
stitutional limit of January 16. There
have been reports that such a conces-
sion would be made by the government
in Washington as measure of relief
to the liquor manufacturers who al
lowed themselves to be caught with
millions of gallons on hand.
Overwhelmed with Business
Imports are being made freey to the
dry provinces at prices increased by
tax of 7 per cent. Quebec liquor mer-
chants are SO overwhelmed with bust
ness that they no longer advertise, but
an isolated announcement from one of
them offers Canadian rye whiskies at
from s1225 to $3.50 a case of twelve
bottles.
The amazing difference in the prices
demanded for whisky in the United
States and Canada is attributed to the
purpose of the Canadian dealers not to
be caught with unsold' supplies on the
day that absolute prohibition prevails.
They are aware that on this side of the
boundary the law probably will not
show the same flexibilify and elasticity
il has so far dispayed On the American
side. =,
Wages are good in Canada, work is
plentiful, and so thousands of indivi-
iuals are able to stock their cellars
either from Montreal or from the bor-
der cities of the United States.
Americans unusually conversant with
Canadian affairs are puzzled by the
complications produced in the liquor
situation by the lack of uniformity in
provincial and federal enactmcnts and
regulations. but Canadians themselves
are no less confused.
Dry Regulations Confusing
For instance, Mrs. Brown, in Ottawa,
if ill, can have her physician prescribe
a quart Of port or rye, and she can go
to the government dispensary and buy
It. But if she does not care to do that
she can send money order to Mon
treal liquor dealer and have a case
sent to her. She could legally buy a
bottle from Montreal, but the dealers
are handling no orders for less than
case.
If Mrs Brown does not care to trade
with Montreal she. can send to the
United States. and by paying the duty
war tax and carriage charges import a
bottle or a case. But legally she can
not sell drop of the liquor.
And there is the case OF Mr.; Smith
Of Waikerville. There is big brewer,
- ~,
he desires liquor he can have 1t sent tt
him either from Detroit or from Mon
treal.
Similarly, there are large stocks o
liouor in the vicinity Of Toronto
These stocks cannot be touched by The
residents Of the province, but II the,
% desire these residents can import
carload of liquor from Quebec or th'
United States.
Demand for Remedial Action
Ontario is buying its cellar stock
generally from New York state. how
ever. Those in Manitoba, British CO
lumbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan ar
dealing mainly with Minnesota, whil
the thirsty in the maritime province
are getting relief from the dry state {
Maine and from Massachusetts,.
These are the conditions which al
arousing a general demand througho,
the eight dry" provinces for remedi'
action.
The Rev. J. A. Macdonald, editor
"The Toronto Globe" always a stane
advocate Of prohibition, declares IL
Dominion government went out Of j
way to facilitate the stocking up of ii
cellars Of the thirsty. and that in d
ing so It deliberately ignored the e,
pressed desires of the great majorit
Of the people of Canada to have dor
with the liquor traffic.
Our neip'.ors across the borde,
he. says. "bepn to express sorrow fl
the state OF the dominion. Pity fro
hat quarter is hard TO swallow. Ten
: pcrance sentiment in Canada had bee
translated into effective local optic
and prohibitory measures long befol
the bulk Of the border states hs
taken even the lrst hesitating ste,
toward making an end of the liqu'
trade. Now we fnd Tho Detroit Time
telling its readers that Canada piekl,
will be under a serious handicap
competition with this nation, with i
production freed from the blight II
burden Of booze
$50 far az the electors Of Ontar
are concerned. they arc prepared
vote against the importation of liqu,
from abroad. from Quebec or fro