Over the Lake

With thousands of thirsty U. S. citizens poised expectant along the U. S.-Ontario border, the Ontario Liquor Commission last week announced that it might be another fortnight before liquor sales began in the Province. Legally, however, Ontario last Monday became wet, added a new aspect to the U. S. liquor question.

The Ontario Law. Alcoholic liquors of all kinds may be purchased in any amount. They must be purchased at government stores, in government packages. They cannot be resold (under a jail-sentence penalty). Liquor can be bought only with permits; consumed only in the consumer's residence or in hotels.

Permits. Citizens' permits cost $2, require 30 days' residence. Tourists' and sojourners' permits also cost $2, require no residence, must be renewed monthly at $2 per renewal. Ontario has printed a million blank permits, in twelve months plans to sell them all. Income: $2,000,000.

Residence. The word "residence" is liberally interpreted. Ontario hotels, boardinghouses, stores, now advertise: "Welcome, visitors. Your room is your residence." Tents are believed to class as residences; tent-cities are planned in which tourists, residing, may legally drink.

Bootleggers. Many a Canadian 'legger is expected to move south to the U. S. The new law makes him superfluous, and even first offense carries six months' sentence, no fine option; repeated offenses carry long sentences. U. S. 'leggers will thus increase.

Prices. The Government Liquor Commission will establish prices. Forecast: Scotch $7 Canadian whiskey $5; beer $2. Beer will be sold at cost; wines and whiskeys at a profit.

Real Estate. Canadian subdivisions near Detroit, Buffalo, now advertise "Come to Canada and enjoy life." Real estate values in border resorts have dropped in the U. S., risen in Canada. Ontario appears to be in for a large-scale "boom."

Ferguson. Ontario went dry in 1916 as a War measure; the man who made it wet again is Prime Minister G. Howard Ferguson. He said that under Prohibition, doctors wrote 1,500,000 liquor prescriptions a year; that 50 persons in Ontario died from poisonous liquor; that the Province was "saturated" with illegally sold liquor. Said Governor Ferguson: "Unless this thing was settled I would not care to be Prime Minister for another hour." In December, 1926, elections, the people elected a legislature pledged 2 to 1 in favor of the Ferguson plan of government liquor control.