Extent of Prohibition in Canada

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Extent of Prohibition in Canada

By DeVoe Wool], L.L. B., Professor of Mathematics and Civics, Knight Academy

A great temperance wave has swept over the face of the earth, during the past two or three years. The great nations of the world have felt its influence, and some of them, have been courageous enough to act according to its dictates. Others still remain bound by the most hideous monster the world has ever known, viz., "The Liquor Traffic." All the nations of the world, however, are beginnig to realize the danger of keeping this monster alive. The startling fact has recently come to light that at least ninety per cent of the destitution, despair, want and crime of the world, results directly from this traffic. The seriousness of this traffic, financially, has recently been investigated in Great Britain. The commission appointed to investigate, discovered that the enormous sum of nine hundred million dollars is spent annually in Great Britain for liquor. Considering this fact, and adding to it the millions spent by other nations of the world for this same poison, one is staggered by the magnitude of the figures. It is almost impossible to believe, that the civilized world is more than wasting this enormous sum of money annually. This wave of temperance has received an excellent welcome in Canada. The Canadian people are naturally a temnerate people, and do not condone vice or crime in any form. Realizing the danger before them, the people, or their representatives in the various provinces, have taken a decided stand on this question. In some provinces a plebiscite was taken directly on it; in others it has been made a political issue, while in others the legislatures have taken it in hand themselves. The result is that today there is almost nation-wide prohibition in Canada. All of the provinces, with the exception of Quebec and British Columbia, are totally dry. It hasn't as yet become a provincial question among the French Canadians of Quebec. But three-fourths of the counties in that district are also dry. In September last this question was referred to the people of British Columbia during their provincial election, and was passed with eight thousand majority. Hence, just as soon as the legislature can act upon the bill, British Columbia will also be dry. All of the great tract of country known as the Northwest

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Territory is also totally dry. The Yukon Territory, made up chiefly of mining camps, is still wet. Recently a vote was taken on this question, in that far north territory, and the wets won with the small majority of three. The drys have demanded a recount, and feel confident of victory upon the final returns. Hence, within the next few months, if victory is theirs, there will be but one wet spot in the Dominion of Canada; viz., one-fourth of the counties of Quebec. The one question that is giving trouble at the present time is the manufacture of liquor and the interprovincial traffic. Naturally these are controlled by the Dominion Government and cannot be handled by the provinces. The prohibition forces are getting together throughout the Dominion. A convention is to be held by these forces, at Ottawa sometimes during the next four months, at which resolutions are to be drafted and forwarded to the Dominion Government, relative to these questions. It is certain that the government will act in accordance with the wishes of this convention, due to public opinion being manifested so strongly. Since prohibition has been in force in the provinces of Canada, there has been marked prosperity throughout the land. Families have been made happy and prosperous. Children have been heard to say, "We have a new papa now. He brings us toys and candy, and stays at home and plays with us at night." The Latter-day Saints in Canada are justly proud of the part they have taken in bringing about this splendid condition. They were among the first to act against the liquor interests, and were for a number of years living in the one white spot on the map. They are proud now to know that this white spot has grown, that their influence has been felt, and that it will continue to be felt for good during the coming years, in this land. The people of Canada trust that soon prohibition will be had, not only in the Dominion of Canada, but throughout the ^orld. They are determined to do what they can to stamp out this evil, and ask the co-operation of all who are or may be interested, to assist them in doing so. From the Canadian point of view, one makes no mistake when he fights the liquor traffic. Raymond, Canada