811.114/847
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
One of the most serious difficulties encountered in the enforcement of the American prohibition law has arisen in connection with liquor illegally imported into the United States across the Canadian border. This matter has been receiving the serious attention of the Department of the Government of the United States charged with the enforcement of the law.
In seeking means to prevent these illegal importations of liquor, Prohibition Commissioner Haynes has had some correspondence with The Honorable James Hales, Chairman of the Board of License Commissioners for Ontario, with regard to the possibility of Dominion legislation which would prohibit shipments of liquor to the United States unless a permit from the United States Federal or State authorities were first obtained. Mr. Hales states that the Solicitor General of Canada intimated that, if a request for such legislation came from the Government of the United States, the Canadian Parliament might give effect to the request.
One of the important officials of the Canadian Government said, in writing to Mr. Hales:
“You will remember that what I told you was that if the proper authorities of the United States Government took the question up with the Government of Canada, there would be a much better chance to have proper action taken, as you will readily understand that this Government or its officials do not care to be pressing their services upon the officials of the United States unless some proper and necessary steps are taken by themselves to obtain such assistance.”
Mr. Haynes, Prohibition Commissioner, believes that if the Canadian Government would pass the legislation suggested above it would practically control the Canadian border smuggling problem and would prevent the entrance into this country of a very substantial quantity of Canadian liquor.