The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1885. THE BLUE RIBBON ARMY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1413, 3 November 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1885. THE BLUE RIBBON ARMY.

The extraordinary rapidity with which the ranks of the Blue Ribbon Army are increasing is very remarkable. It is only about two years since it was first introduced into this colony, and already its numbers can be reckoned by thousand?. Since the days of Father Matthew no other Association for the suppression of drunkenness has spread with such rapidity. Good Templary has been very popular, and has held within its folds large numbers of very earnest total abstainers, but it appears to us to be on the decline. It is sinking into insignificance beside the dimensions the Blue Ribbon movement is assuming. There arc many reasons for the popu larity of the Blue Ribbon Army, It is cheap, and temperance people as a rule like cheapness. It is most extraordinary that persons who would not hesitate to spend pounds in the purchase of strong drink will not be found over willing to contribute pence towards the premotion of temperance, and yet it is true.

Auotlier reason why the Blue Ribbon movement is more popular than Good Templary is because it is more free and easy. The ceremony of initiation into Good Templary is very solemn and the pledge taken is extremely strict. A member must neither drink, touch, nor handle intoxicating liquors, and so strict is it that a thorough-going Good Templar would not pass the decanter at a table. No such pledges are exacted by the Blue Ribbon Army ; to “ don the bonny bit of blue ” is almost all that is required. It is in this that the secret of the Blue Ribbon Army’s success lies, but it is in this its weakness will be found as well. A pledge given in this free-and-easy manner cannot have a lasting hold on those who take it. Many may adhere to it religiously, but we are convinced that the majority will not consider themselves bound by it. No good purpose would be served by speculating as to wbat will be its future, but to point out a way by which its members might he kept together cannot fail to prove interesting. In our opinion there is only one means, and that is the establishment of reading rooms in the various centres of population where the Army exists. If this could be done, and temperance literature provided, as well as other means of recreation, more won hi be done for the cause than occasional public meetings can ever effect. It may be said that this is next to impossible in small places. No doubt it would be found very difficult, but we do not think it impossible. For instance, when the Young Men’s Club existed in iemuka we suggested the advisability of an amalgamation between itself and the Mechanics’ Institute, and if that plan had been adopted the Club would not have died. The Mechanics’ Institute authorities were ready to receive the proposal favorably, and if a certain number had been found ready to take yearly tickets an addition to the Institute would have been built for the use of the members of the Club. We are certain the Mechanics’ Institute Committee would be ready with equal promptitude to receive a similar offer from the Blue Ribbon Army. We are told that there are about 700 Blue Ribbon soldiers in the district, and if so they surely could offer sufficient inducement to the Mechanics’ Institute Committee to build a room for them, and provide the class of literature that would suit them. 'J'he same plan could be adopted in Geraldine and elsewhere, and the Blue Ribbon movement would thus be made a permanent Institution, We commeud this to the attention of Blue Ribbonists, and trust they will give it serious consideration.