ELOQUENT APPEAL TO YOUTH

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 200, 26 August 1935, Page 2

ELOQUENT APPEAL TO YOUTH

In Fight for Temperance

OVERSEAS SPEAKER AT RALLY IN CITY

“It is youth’s day. Youth is at the helm. Young people have a tremendous amount of freedom to-day—in choice, in action and in will. I would like them, then, to realise that this freedom should not bo used purely for their own interests. You are the makers of to-morrow—those who went bef’oro in this wonderful couutry of yours did their .work well', particularly in opposing tlio liquor traffic; and it is your duty to carry on tho fight.” These remarks wero mado by Mrs Moffatt Clow, of Belfast, Ireland, at a temperance rally held iu the Opora house at Palmerston North yesterday afternoon. The speaker mado an eloquent appeal to the youth of New Zoaland to light against the liquor traffic and to utilise their privilege of voting to obtain complete prohibition. There was a large and representative attendance of youth and tho distinguished speaker’s plea for the abolition of strong drink and tiro need for total prohibition in the Dominion was listened to with the greatest attention. Mrs Clow had, earlier in tho day. spoken at the Baptist Church, where there had been a parade of temperance societies.

At tho afternoon meeting Rev. H. L. Richards, as chairman of tho local executive of the New Zealand Alliance, extended a welcome to the overseas visitor. Personally, ho said, ha could not realise how anyone could look at the prohibition question with indifference and ho felt that those favouring tho abolition of drink would never lot up in their fight against the traffic. Tho chairman, Rev. John Paterson, M.A., of Wanganui, next echoed tho delight of all at seeing the speaker of the day in Now Zealand.

Appeal to Youth Rising to comnienoo her address, Mrs Clow was greeted with sustained applause. “I see iu my audience a- largo number of young men and women, and 1 am very pleased,” she said. “I have not only a great respect for the veterans iu our cause, but for youth, because I realise that the future rests iu their hands.”

It was youth’s day at present, and the older people should give the younger folk the opportunity to take a live and active part in the campaign against liquor. Youth was in the saddio aud could accomplish much. “Your life is just at a critical period; you arc about to make decisions as to your career and you must face up to the future. One decision is imperative,” she added, “and that decision is to put alcoholic liquor outside your life. Make the decision now to put it away altogether.” Mrs Clow pointed out that most young people had been brought up teetotallers by accident. It was taken for granted they wero abstainers, but whon they left the shelter of Christian homes.they would find it much different.

“Everywhere iu this world of oui's to-day tlie temptation will come to you to tako liquor and you will kavo to fight it. If 0110 is a teetotaller by accident ono is liablo to be bowled over, but if ono is a teetotaller by conviction one can stand up to the onslaught.” Naturally youth could not sea the menace in liquor as clearly as older folk, and they were inclined lo think that because less drunkards wore seen in the streets, that drinking was decreasing. A great authority, kowevei, had pointed out that the four greatest scourges of the world to-day were cancer, consumption, venereal disease and alcoholism. Drunkenness was not the greatest thing to be faced—the most dangerous was "drinking,” which was politely called “alcoholism.” In Great Britain statistics revealed that deaths due to alcoholism aud kindred disease had made strong drink a decided menace. Of 164 occupational groups the first 30 (with tho highest number of deaths through alcohol and the diseases it induced) included men and women occupying the highest places in the land. Teachers and clergymen seemed to be tho only exceptions. This wont to prove, contended the speaker, that position or ability did not safeguard against moderate drinking. Ono might intend to be merely a moderate drinker, but drink was so insidious, even in its most alluring disguise, that the risk could not betaken. It was very nice to enjoy oneself, but, as Lady Astor had poiuted out, one wanted to know when one was really having enjoyment. Spoken Of in Whispers

“j; -was greatly alarmed when I learnt that iu Australia and New Zealand, particularly in the Dominion, social drinking by young people was greater than in England. It was spoken of in whispers, but I say that it should bo shouted from tho housetops and every incident should be proclaim-

ed in the hopo of putting a stop to this practice,” continued Mrs Clow.

Drink was novel - upliftingj it always brought people to the lowest level, ft was a racial poison that would have its effect on future generations. Thoso who wanted freedom and progress should fight tho evil at once. “Wihat is wrong that, in the last ton years, you have been falling back in this matter? Is it beeauso people are getting away from God? If so, the sooner we got back tho sooner our feet will bo set cm the Toad to a brighter period.” Airs Clow concluded by urging all young people to take advautago of the privilege oxtended them in voting and to vote for total prohibition. Not Party of Alarmists

Ecv. J. H. Alien, of Ecilding, next addressed tho meeting. lie felt that tho gathering had met not as a company of alarmists but as a party interested in a great moral reform. He appealed for a new sense of urgency to bo awakened as tho forthcoming poll was faced; a new sense of unity between the generations and the churches and a new sense of fellowship. He pointed out that it had been estimated that 181,000 new voters would have a voice in the country’s affairs at the next poll and of that number 115,000 were to bo young people. He saw in this a great opportunity for tho youth of New Zealand to rid tho Dominion of tho drink menace.

Rev. It. Simpson moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers of the day and said that Mrs Clow was undoubtedly a magnificent advertisement lor the cause and a splendid speaker. Included among those assisting during tho afternoon wore members of the Salvation Army Band and Mr 1 arkei as song-leader. _