PROHIBITION IN ONTARIO.
CTo THE EDITOR or TEE "SPECTATOR."]
Sia,—I enclose a quotation from a Canadian letter on the effects of prohibition in Ontario. The case is put with Colonial vigour, but is, I think, only the more effective for that. Letter follows:—
" Another vital thing is the elimination of liquor. To-day Ontario, three months ago a wide open province, is practically dry except for what little liquor can be imported from other provinces, and then only under certain conditions. The results face us— ruin for the hotel man, unless he's saved his money. But we can't avoid seeing the good that it has achieved. Men I have known for years to be regular promenading tanks have, after a few abortive efforts to keep a supply on hand from Manitoba, given it up, and are to-day starting a decent life again. The police- court is empty and the policemen growing cobwebs for lack of action; even the Red Light Sections are dropping ont of business, because without liquor nothing comes their way. The fines are too heavy to risk. England should try it. It would be, after the first heavy initial loss, the best thing that ever struck the nation. I am not a temperance crank, and cursed these temperance guys as hard as any, but all the same it cannot blind you from the truth."
This is the opinion of a business man, given simply as comment on current affairs.—I am, Sir, &c., R. E. J. M.
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