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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 834, 14 July 1879, Page 2

A NEW temperance movement is about to be tried m Auckland, under a system which was strongly recommended m the editorial columns of this journal some five months back. This was that there should be degrees m the pledges of all temperance and Good Templars Societies. It too frequenty happens that a man, after a debauch, is induced by his friends or relatives to become a total abstainer by taking the pledge, or making his vows, as the case may be. Within twenty-four hours it is more than probable — indeed is the case with eight out of ten — that the pledge is broken. The proposal made m the Herald at the time is now about to be acted upon m Auckland. A society is to be formed of " degrees" for abstainers. The first degree is that malt liquor and wine may be drunk. The second degree allows only malt liquor. The third degree prohibits the nse of intoxicants of any kind. No candidate is to be admitted to the firit degree unless he is able to affirm that he has not partaken of stimulants of any kind for fourteen days previous to his initiation. So that no member shall be admitted while he is "suffering a recovery." Six months are to elapse before a member can advance from the first to the second degree, and the same term between the second and third. It -is beliejed, as we urged at the time, the system would prevent much of backsliding and the breaking of pledges. We notice by an American exchange a somewhat analogous society has been formed which promises success. The pledges are indicated by colors. " The white pledge binds the signer not to drink during* business hours. By this modified engagement he is not deprived of a glass of wine m the evening at 'social institutions.' The blue pledge binds him who signs it ' not to offer the glass to another, nor to drink at another's expense.' The next pledge is the red, white, and blue. It limits the signer 1 to drink nothing stronger than wine or beer, and these only at meals and m moderation. ' " .