TEMPERANCE NOTES.

Western Star, Issue 1548, 28 March 1891, Page 1

TEMPERANCE NOTES.

■Published under arrangement with the New Zealand Temperance Alliance.)

Works Both. Ways.—Old gent: “ Why does your father go around bogging, instead of working?” Little boy : “He begs so he can get money to buy whisky.” Old gent: “ But why does he drink whisky ?” Little boy : “ So he can get up courage to

go and beg.”—Texas Siftings. True, and the liquor dealers know it.—The man who engages in that traffic ('liquor) cannot by any process of reasoning place himself on an equal footing with cifizens who sell other products. They are part of .the legitimate commerce which is a blessing and not a detriment. But the liquor traffic is another and very different thing. It is tolerated, and that is ali, The sentiment of the age denies its natural right to be; and the highest

Court of the country confirms that Opinion.—St; Louis Globe-Democrat,

The Drink Plague in Africa.— “ Merchants go into a. district and leave behind them. empty black bottles and besotted natives, and carry away with, tkem the valuable produce of the district which- realises a good price in the European markets. Thus big fortunes are made: but it is not true commerce—it is base robbery. We must make it as disgraceful to debauch the African as.it was to steal ind sell him.” . So says John Mae-, icnzie, of Bechuaualaiul.—Ashore and Afloat.. .

Empty Graol,and Why.—The Union Signal says ; —“ The Secretary of the National Prison Association estimates that the census of IS9O will show a prison population of nearly 100,000, an increase ofabout 20,000 in 10 years. Kansas, lowa and Maine, the (rio of prohibition States, are the only ones

that have not contributed to this increase. In these States crime has steadily decreased, and in many places the goals are empty.” A Few Facts in a Nutshell. —The following is, says the Australian Sunday School Teacher, from a boy’s essay ou total abstinence —“ I abstain from alcotiolic drinks because, if I would excel as a cricketer, Grace says, ‘ abstain as a walker, Westou says, 1 abstain as an oarsman, Haitian says, ‘ abstain as a swimmer, Webb says, ■ abstain ,; s as an orator, Bright says, ‘ abstainas a missionary, Livingstone says, ‘abstain;’ as a doctor, Clark says, ‘ abstain as a preacher, Fai ratsays, ‘ abstain.’ Asylums, prisons, and workhouses repeat the cry, ‘abstain ’ 1" We have heard a long speech with less In it.

The British Temperance Advocate,

—■“ The drink bill seems still lo be rising. We are deeply grieved, bat what else can we expect ? Tim cliarches bay the wine that makes drunken wherewith to celebrate Holy Communion, and thus give a help to the wine merchant. Many religious men buy the beer and spirits which curse the people, and so help the brewers; and the churches, with few exceptions, are as cool about the harm done as if everybody was all right. One half those who profess to be saved don’t care that druulieness abounds.” Sir Wilfrid Lawson and what ho Wants.—Sir Wilfrid Lawson, speaking recently, said: —“Last Saturday Mr Groschen said he did not know whether even Sir Wilfrid Lawson was ‘ for the suppression of the sale of drink iu every part of tho kingdom.’ I wish somebody would write to Mr Groschen and tell him that I am for its suppression in every part of the kingdom. I do not want any part of it lo be injured.— (Applause). I advocate the cl rcct veto because I believe it will bo the nearest way to got universal prohibition. (Loud applause).