Semi-Teetotalers.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 1080, 25 March 1903, Page 3

Semi-Teetotalers.

The semi-teetotaller, who is now in evidence at Home, is one who never drinks between meals, and the movement is aimed at the " nips " and casual drinks, wMcli are responsible for much of the trouble caused by drink. A London vicar, who is interesting himself in the new crusade, has drawn up 'the following pledge for recruits.:— " I solemnly undertake to abstain from all intoxicating beverages, except at my midday and evening meals," and he is much, encouraged by the support he has received. Archdeacon Sinclair came to Us aid with an outsi oken declaration, in the course of which lie said he had never listened to greater nonsense than he had heard from the total abstinence platforms. "1 feel,'' he added, "that the moderate section of teetotallers have never had a fair chance, and I rejoice that they have now got a unique opportunity. I know how much, good moderate temperance can do. In my Westminster parish. I found scores of workingmen wiio would listen and profit by temperance when they would not hear of total abstinence." Even the Stock Exchange extends hearty approval to the project. -One member asserts that semi-teetotalism is a " capital notion," and one that has unconsciously been gaining • ground on tne Exchange for years past. ♦'Mindyou," he said, "I em no teetotaler, and I always take win© with my dinner, but for years past I have had .nothing but ginger-beer for lunch. Men down here have realised at last that it's all * tommyrot' to say that they can't conduct business without drinking. True, it's the custom to ask clients what they'll takej but the vast majority of us know that we" can conduct our affairs better without alcohol, and never touch an> thing to jjhe evening meal."