The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1913. DEMOCRATIC VOTE.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 218, 18 August 1913, Page 9

The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1913. DEMOCRATIC VOTE.

A large and influential deputation of Temperance workers waited upon the Premier re licensing legislation. A courteous hearing was granted them, but nothing very definite promised The Premier said there was the revenue question, a> well as several others, to be considered. It is time all W hite Ribboner> were on the alert, educating and organising for the next election. At the T. E. 1 aylor memorial meeting, held in Wellington by the combined forces of the No-License League and W.C.T.U.,

Mr A. R. Atkinson said: “Several years ago Mr Taylor expressed the opinion that it would pay the NoLicense party to slacken efforts and lose one No-License poll while they devoted their energies to the Political

Election and securing candidates pledged to remove or substantially reduce the three-fifths handicap.” The party ha> now recognised the wisdom of this saying, and has commenced an energetic campaign for the Democratic N ote. We feel sure that all our members will give every assistance to this campaign. Our motto is “For God, Home, and Humanity.” What is the greatest hindrance to the progress ol God’s work on this planet? We unhcsitatingß answei Alcohol. What is the deadliest enemy to the Home? Alcohol. What i- the heaviest curse to humanity, the greatest cause of national degeneracy, and of race suicide? Medical congresses and students ol social science answer Alcohol. Is any labour too exhausting, is any campaign too long or strenuous, is any battle too severe, i> any sacrifice too great to make that we may free our Dominion from this deadly foe? What can the W.C.T.L. do to help? Firstly, we can educate the public, and much may be done by literature distributed and by personal effort, each White Ribboner speaking to all she comes in contact with. We can remember the time when the Temperance party itself only attacked the immoderate use of alcohol as being harmful. Now fuller study by medical men and scientists has revealed the fact that alcohol is ever a poison, is never a benefit even in the smallest quantity, and has been pronounced by high authority “unnecessary in health, and positively harmful in disease.” In France, where the grave is running a close race with the cradle, with every prospect of winning, a scientific commission was appointed to investigate the eausc of racial decline. The Commission replied, “Alcohol is a racial poison, and the greatest cause of race suicide.” The President of the French Republic, on receiving this report, turned to the press reporters and said, “Gentlemen, l hope you will see to it that this fact is made widely known.” Now we, as earnest Temperance advocates, must sec to it that these and kindred facts arc made known. Can we not use our Union funds to send lecturers and literature, either or both, in every direction? When Maine was fighting her last great battle with Liquordom, the White Ribboneis sent motor cars and motor

boats distributing literature broadcast. Neal Dow said: “We did not win Prohibition in Maine till we had sown the Stale knee-deep in literature,” and Maine has kept what she won by following the same plan of campaign. Agitate, Fducate, Organise from now till the next poll. Never slacken in our effort-., and ever remember that “a question is never settled till it is settled right.” Lastly, we can all obey the injunction of the good old Puritan: “When you have a work to do for God and Humanity, go in and pray as earnestly as if God \\a« going to do it all, and then go out and work as though you had to do it all ” W e can all Pray devoutly, Hammer away stoutly.