THE "PATRIOTIC PLEDGE."

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1915, Page 3

THE "PATRIOTIC PLEDGE."

TOTAL ABSTINENCE DURING

'WAR. START OF A CRUSADE. BISHOP AVERILL SUPPORTS IT. A well-attended meeting was :ield in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night in support of the ' - Patriotij Pledge Campaign," which has for its object tbe securing of total abstinence pledges cov-eriiig the period of the preeent war. Mr. George Aldridge presided, in the unavoidable absence of Hon. E. Miteheleon, and the speakers of the evening were the Anglican Biehop of (Auckland (Dr. Averill) and Miss B. Butler, headmistress of the Girls' Grammar School. The chairman mentioned that the movement ha<l been started by Mrs. Parker, sister of Lord Kitchener, and had the latter's approval. ■Bishop Averill, in ,the course of a vigorous speech, said that the Allies were fighting the spirit of self-sacrifice in a united Germany—sacrifice typified by potato bread—ahd it was the duty of all British people to chow a similar spirit. It behoved the Allies to put into •the field the most efficient armies possible. Tivelve months ago no one would have believed that Russia -would do away with the sale of vodka and France wrth the use of absinthe—with the best possible results. Was the ifiritieh Empire "toeing the line" in this matter? Mr. Lloyd George had said that lack of efficiency in the armament factories was due to drink. It mada him blush with shame to rea<l such ■words, said the Biehop, and to remember that battles were won no leas in these factories than in the trenches. He wished that the British Government had ■as much courage as the Russian in this matter. One of the greatest services civilians could give was to show their military brothers that they were prepared to make sacrifices for the cause of the Empire, and for the men who were fighting io cave England from the fate of Belgium. It was well known to what an extent the German excesses were due to drink, and it remained for the British people to show their soldiers such an example that on German soil they would resist the many temptations before them, and fight like Christian gentlemen. The total abstinence pledge was but a small thing to ask. The Empire must give its best —not its second best—in the struggle, and it was the duty of everyone to make a real sacri-, fice in the cause of God and humanity., •He • then moved:—

"That in view of the special dangers arising from the nee of alcohol in tine of war, as fully described by the Chan ; cellor of the Extihequer (Mr. LVoyd George), Earl Kitchener, *be Czar, the President of the French Republic, and leading generate and admirals—and as an exprestdon of sympathy with the action of our brave Allies in baniwhim* tfbe use of vodka and absinthe in their respective countries — ttvia meeting urges upon, the people of lite Dominion to abstain from tha use of intoxicants (except for religious purpoees or under medical ordere) during t<he period of war, and to eign the patriotic pledge in order to help and en-' the soldrsrs of the"Allies at this c time of national peril."

In seconding the motion, Miss Butler; epoke of the necessity of adding to the moral' strength of the nation at ths. present crieie, and Teferred to the temptatione offered by drink to many women in England who were in trouble and anxiety: on account of relatives at -blre front,-and, through the distress occasioned by the

The following committee was appoinfced' to canry on the movement:—Dr. Florence KeMer, Mrs. Pudney, Mtesre. J. L. Sobtt,G. Winstone, W. B. Leyland, A. M. Sfceate;, R. L. Pudney, R. LakUaw, C. B. King, G. Plummer, Wesley Spragg, A. H. Elk-in, S. G. 'Brown J. Creamer, W. R. Tuck, J. Fleming, G. Gladding, W. Mac--deirmott, J. Banbury, C. T. Hazns, J. C. Morton, J. Worden, S. E. ObappeU, J. N."> Harle, T. Craoch, F. Hardley, C. G. Hill, H. Dickin, Coibnel White," and Captain G. J. Rust.

A large number of pledge sigiled in-the hall.