CHALLENGE TO EMPIRE MOTHERHOOD

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1937, Page 6

CHALLENGE TO EMPIRE MOTHERHOOD

—MRS PERYMAN

“We must fact the fact that the bulk of our customers are middle-aged people. On the young and whether they drink depends the future of our trade. We must cultivate the drink habit among thousands, nay millions of young men and women who have never known the taste of alcohol." Mrs. Peryman. editor of “The White Ribbon,” in addressing a public meeting at Whangarei on Saturday evening, attributed these words to Sir Edgar Sanders, secretary appointed by thcf Brewers’ Society some year's ago because of declining trade.

Here, said Mrs. Perlman, was the brewers’ challenge to the motherhood of the Empire, and New Zealand women must prove to them that mother love was stronger than brewers’ greed. Liqueur chocolates, a half pound box containing half a pint of brandy or whisky, she alleged, was part of their programme of deliberately debauching the young.

‘Maoris Being Injured.”

Our Maori people, she claimed, were being injured. King Tawhia, she said, gave permission for the land to be sold for the Main Trunk line, on the understanding that no liquor should be sold in the King Country. But, she alleged, pressure was being brought to bear upon the Government to break that pact, and, in the meantime, the liquor being introduced and given to natives was a scandal to the administration.

Recently she had visited Princess Te Pua‘s pa and seen the efforts made for the revival of the Maori arts and crafts. “These Maori leaders,” she said, “are striving to elevate their pebple, but our paternal Government makes no effort to stop the ruin of the race by the brewer and liquor seller. We forbid liquor (under the mandate) to be sold to Samoans, but our own noble Maori race is left unprotected lo the seductions of alcoholic liquors.” The Racial Menace. Mrs. Pcryman touched upon the racial menace of alcohol —-how athletes must keep free from it —how air pilots must abstain for hours before taking control of their machines, and how the Minister of Transport is dealing with the intoxicated motorist.

Mrs. Vyle, of the Salvation Army, occupied the chair, and visiting delegates were welcomed on behalf of the Ministry by the Rev. O. Burnet. The Rev. Wm. Elliott, judged a speechmaking contest. In addition various items of entertainment were rendered.