The National Vote.

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 199, 18 January 1912, Page 10

The National Vote.

Dkah Sisters, It is with heartfelt good wishes that 1 greet you, at the commencement of another year. The past year, with its hopes, fears, trust, and confidence, its strenuous battle, is behind us, and with all the many blessings it has brought to us, I venture to say that for none are we more thankful than for the magnificent vote polled for National Prohibition. We had hoped for a vote which would conviuce our opponents thar the country was with us on this question, hut only a few dared to believe that the opinion expressed at the polls would he so overwhelmingly in our favour. The huge vote is a great moral victory, and it is an infamous injustice that such an enormous majority should still leave us practically on the losing side. And yet we may well exclaim : “ What hath God wrought!’’ for a majority of over £O.OOO votes is a clear indication that the people are deter nined to make an eud of the liquor traffic in this Dominion. That we should still he burdened with the three-fifths majority is an outrage on justice, and I feel su-e that the members of our Uaion are all determined to do their utmost for the removal of this unfair disability. We must decide to give all assistance possible to the New* Zealand Alliance in its endeavour to remedy this injustice, and determine that before another poll is taken "he three-fifths handicap shall he removed. We have good reason to hope that this will be done, for the present Parliament contains a large proportion of men pledged to 1< wer the major ty now necessary to carry National Prohibition, and the fact that nearly fifty-six per cent of the voters are in favour of Prohibition, will doubtless carry weight with those inclined to waver, for votes count, with the average politician. Our outlook, then, is most hopeful, but this year must find us alert, and ready for any contingency that in By arise in the present state of political parties. We must not lay aside our armour and consider tlie fighting over for a time, as we have done in the past, but must be ready to act when called upon, and not allow the enemy to win any advantage. The final victory may be very near, “if we are true to God and to our opportunities,” and do not faint by the way.

The moilument of National Prohibition which we hope to complete as a memorial to our departed leader, T. E. Taylor, and the foundation of which lie helped to lay, has the pedestal erected, and the beautiful shaft pointing heavenward needs only the top-stones to complete it. We must determine that be /ore long this monument shall stain; as om champion stood, “ four-square to all the winds that blow,’’ a sign to other nations that in National Prohibition lies their salvation from the great curse of the liquor traffic. I trust that the year just opening may he to all of us one of groat possibilities, and of great accomplishments in the spiritual life, and that faith and courage may be our watchwords.

“ A new white day, and it new white year, And all, the pities la-tween This first day of hope, and that la>t day of fear, in the dim and far un*een ! > hall I re td them, each one, a*- they eome: I Ir is there for me a pan***The eall of the soul to its larger home, The law that doth crown nil laws. * # * * I know not, nor need I know, tor He who hath given the year Hath promised strength, in that str iigth 1 K<>, (ilad welcome, new friend, good cheer Wishing you all “ A very Happy New Year,” believe me, yours for God, Home, and Humanity, Faxxy Cole, Horn in ion W.C.T U. President.

Mrs Nolan President of the Australian Women’s Christian Temperance Union, on behalf of the Australian Executive, sends hearty congratulations on the splendid vote in New Zealand for National Prohibition. She says: “ Your victories encourage us in Australia very greatly, and we learn by your tactics how to meet the foe.” The Australian Triennial Convention meets in Brisbane in April, and Mrs Nolan cordially invites the New Zealand l nion to send a representative to that Con vention. F. Cole.