I might just mention that rather a row has been caused by the statement by an Adjutant in the Salvation Army in charge of the Social Bureau in Quebec. He said that: "In my experience there in considerably less drunkenness throughout the Province of Quebec than in Ontario, despite the fact that liquor may be purchased here openly, whereas it is not so easy to secure a supply in the sister Province." But he added fuel to the flames by adding: "One of the worst forms of degradation with which we have to contend is attributed to drunkenness, but I wish to say most emphatically that I saw more drunkenness and other from of vice in Ontario than I have met with in Quebec." OF course this is denied by the Prohibitionists.
This statement may have some effect in the election campaign which is going on at the present time in the Province of Ontario, which is "dry," on the question of Prohibition which has become the prominent issue. The leaders of the various parties are handle ing the question. rather gingerly except the Farmers party which comes out strongly for Prohibition. The others say that the law must be obeyed so long as it is among the statutes: but the conservatives are saying that if they be returned to power they will alter the law if public opinion should demand it; which is being rather generally regarded as a promise that the demand for Government control of liquor as in the Province of Quebec will be met by them when given the chance. The result of the election campaign which culminates on June 2% will be important, and can be compared in this respect with the action of the Governor of New York signing the repeal of the Mullan Gage State Prohibition Enforcement Act. This has led, according to' reports, to four other States revolting against the notorious and futile Eighteenth Amendment: and so in the same way, if Ontario revolts against Prohibition, other "dry" Canadian Provinces may be expected to do he same.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.