TIMELY THOUGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 17226, 16 December 1919, Page 10

TIMELY THOUGHTS

[Published by Akrangement.]

FOR EARNEST ELECTORS. » ■ "The Rum Ration saved the lives of thousands of our men in the trenches."— Colonel M. J. Giddings. "I've come to the conclusion that I never lived till I breakfasted (as I did this _ morning), after 48 hours of almost continuous work in a crazy dugout, on a hard-boiled egg, some bread, and neat whisky."—Extract from soldier's letter published in Y.M.C.A. appeal to patrons for funds for Trench Comforts, and attested by H. W. Kersley, Acting-president Y.M.C.A., and E. C. Brownell, secretary National Committee.—Y.M.C.A. Announcement. " I was opposed to the rum ration before I left N.Z., but I changed my views in France." There is nothing like travel and experience to break down intolerant opinions.—Captain Morice. STRAIGHT FROM THE TRENCHES. "We had only rum in the trenches; hut behind the lines in ?est camps there was plenty of wine and beer at the estarainets in France. I never saw a 2s*e\v Zealander intoxicated, and the rum ration was the best tiling we had."—Extract from soldier's letter to his mother. TWO GENERALS IN EGYPT. General Maxwell: Where is your canteen, Godley? General Godley : My Government prohibits beer to my troops. General Maxwell: Are your troops children or men? You must have a- wet canteen for them in camp if you would keep them out of Cairo. General Maxwell knew Cairo, and so the New Zeala<nd«rs had wet canteens ever after. No great w?.6 ever a Prc£ hibitionist. WHAT LORD KITCHENER DID. This Field-Marshal cautioned the British Troops against wine and women, and ordered 20,000 gallons of rum per month to be supplied to the troops in France. Temperance in all things is Virtue. There is no virtue in Prohibition. WHAT DID THE ALLIANCE DO? On 4th March, 1916, the N.Z. Alliance—that is, the Prohibitionists—passed a resolution protesting against wet canteens to the N.Z. soldiers, against which it stood " definitely and unflinchingly " ; and also against the issue of the mm ration to the soldiers. If the N.Z. Alliance had had its way the British Empire would have lost the war, for " the rum ration saved our lives " say the soldiers. Tho Prohibitionists also protested against the hospital ships carrying liquor—brandy, whisky, stout, and port wine ior soldiers' health and comforts during convalescence. Is it any wonder the soldiers "turned down Prohibition by ave to one majority ? PRIVATE POTTS'S TESTIMONY. There are no teetotallers when the rum ration comes round. Mud, sir, is hell, and o a.m. is the devil's noon; but rum is Christian charity. There is no Christian charity among Prohibitionists when the rum ration to soldiers is allowed. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? Down with Intolerance. Down with Bigotry and Fanaticism. Up with Liberty. Up with Freedom and Commonsense. No Prohibition.