SOCIAL COLUMN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5501, 19 October 1901, Page 2

SOCIAL COLUMN.

The matter included in this column is contributed and paidforJ]

Te the Friends and Supporters

of tb.o Alliance

I am desired by the Finance Committee to appeal to you for aid to the funds of the Alliance for the year which will end on the 80th September next.

You will be glad to know that during the summer a most vigorous and active open-air campaign has been carried on by the agents of the Alliance, and the reception that has been given ' to them by large crowds of working-' men is a gratifying indication of an awakened interest in tbe Temperance question. The mission meetings conducted during the winter and spring by the Rev L M leitt, under tha auspices of the Alliance, were mosjb successful and hepefui in results.

The necessity for legislation on the great drink evil has recently found expression from the lips of some of the leading politicians of the day) The question of national efficiency is just pressing for consideration io view of the responsibilities of the Kmpire, It is felt that the moral and social " betterment" of the working-classes will never be realised so long as there is- an annual destruction of wages amounting to £100,000,000 in^he purchase of intoxicating liquors.

As one personally concerned in tbe engineering industry, and also not unacquainted with other undertakings that have to do with large numbers of artisans and labourers, I feel that this Temperance question is of paramount importance, if our country is to maintain its position in the industrial struggle of nations.

It is with faith in the work of the Alliance that I ask yon to assist the Finance Committee with a renewed contribution to its funds.—Yours most sincerely,

W. J. Crossley, Treasurer. Grosvenor Chambers, 16, Deansgate Manchester.