Good Templar Columns. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5708, 8 January 1876, Page 2 (Supplement)

Good Templar Columns. SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876.

"maon.v \ KitirA>, i.r i'i:i.\ u.i mi "

A new year has dawned upon 119. It js appropriate <it this tune th.it we should review our position as Good Templ.us <ind workers in a sbctiou of the woild's TeinIjerancc army. We have abundant cause for encouragement in the new yu,u tli.it is opening before us. Uur order ha^ increased in numbeis, the lodges ,ue becoming consolidated, the members ,nu learning more fully then- duties iind the responsibilities that me upon them to work and labour for the good of themselves, their families, and the countiy to which they belong. We m.iy lejoice that hundreds ut fauiiho jbytluMustnuneutalitj of our order li.ive boe.i doh\eiod from a blighting cuioe. Their liome ]i.i[)pmei.3 and comfoit have been indescribably increased, thousands have been able to enjoy tins festive season uncontamuuited by the intoxicating cup, and peace and happiness reign 111 circles formeily blasted by its pernicious presence. Our twofold woik of 1n01.il suasion and political action is becoming better known and moio loyally acted out. iliaing above sect and political party, our inembeis, we are proud to are making then mnuence ielt in the contested parliamentary elections that are going on around ua. It 1a encouraging to temperance workers to see, throughout

the wm lil, the large amount of attention tli.it is being directed to the liquor law.s and the causes and effects of intempcinnie. In England, it is difficult to &ay which of the two political parties Whig or Tory 14 to tight the Parliamentary battle against, the tiaitic, and carry into elioct a law enabling the people to piohibit the sale of liquors amongst them. The Libeial paity in some districts are adopting the pi mciple of the control by the people of the liquor tiafho. Una of Uie oldest and most influential oigaud of the Conservatnes, lias letently published an article .strongly 3iirorcing 'romporauce doctimes. Temperance organizations m all parts of the woild were nevoi in so healthy and Mgorous a state. Almost e\eiy loligious :,tct in England h.vs its own Tempei.mLe society, which, togethei with the (Jood Templars, United Kjul, loin Allunuo and . othoi gonei.d oigani/iuon.i, aiv hoiking harmoniously togcthoi in the good causa lu Canada, an inquiry by a royal commission h.is been carried out, to iineitigato (ho operation and remit ot I'lohiljition hi tlie United .States. The coinuii&sionei.s tiavelkvl nearly four thousand miles and on Uieir reUun submitted their icpoit, which A\at. coiiHidered by a select comnuttce of the Senate, a\1h> lecommended " 1'liat in view of all these facts and considerations, it appeals that the tune htis now arrived when the attention of the government should be gnen to tins 1111piut.'iu <nii,-.cL(>n witli a mow to the introdii'jt.uii of a bill to piohibit the manufactuu 1 , importation, and sale of intoxicating hquois, except for niodmnital and medicmaljpuiposes throughout the Dominion." In tlie United .Slater of America the piohibitzon party are growing stronger

day by day, ami tlio bcnclici.il results of tlio Maine- Law ni towns and iiual districts, are apparent to o\oi} unbiassed nund On Tuesda\ , the 10th instant, the Grand Lodge of NowZo.al.ind, Noith, will assemble in New Plymouth, T.u.uiaki, in its second session A large number of lepresent itivos and \isiton from the various Lodges m the North Island aie evpeeted to moot, to confer together on , business connected w ith the order. It is trusted their deliberations will tend to tlio strengthening and extending of its inlluence. AVo earnestly hope the coining year will be o»c of gloat progiess, united woilc, and blessed lesults. We wish all our friends a happy new year.

The liuincsuutatncs to Grand Lodge aud visitois will plca&e take notice that the s.s. 'Go-ahead' leaves the Onehungaw luu fon Jlonday niyraing next— the 10th mst., at !) o'clock [iiompt.