Prohibition Repeal?

The Communist Labor Party announced in Christiania that it would join the Conservatives and Agrarians in voting for the repeal of the Prohibition Law. This was said to make certain the end of prohibition in Norway when the Storting (Parliament) meets in the middle of January. The fact that there is an early chance of a complete revocation of the Prohibition law delighted many, but not the bootleggers, who have managed to thrive on smuggling spirits.

Prohibition in Norway always excepted beer and whiskey. And brandy could be bought on a doctor's certificate. During the past year the law was altered to permit importation of light wines under Government monopoly. This alteration was made because of threats by France, Spain and Portugal to render void all trade agreements with Norway. These countries had previously exported vast quantities of wine to Norway.

The effects of the modified law were reported as follows: 1) to drive bootleggers out of business; 2) to decrease drunkenness; 3) to increase revenues; 4) to eliminate completely the rapidly mounting costs of prohibition enforcement; 5) to decrease the death rate.