The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1914. NATIONAL PROHIBITION.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 234, 18 December 1914, Page 9

The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1914. NATIONAL PROHIBITION.

For the second time the electors of the Dominion have voted upon the question of the National Prohibition of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. The smoke of the battle has hardly cleared away, returns are still incomplete, yet we know that we have not won the light; nay, more, it appears as if we have not polled a bare majority. For the first time since the vote has be. n tak n on NoLicense, the temperance vote has failed to make any advance. We have lost no electorate now dry, but we have failed to gain any new territory, and our vote for National Prohibition, which last election was 56 pel cent. of the electors, will not be more than 50 per cent. Are we disappointed? Yes, we had hoped for anothei advance. Arc we downhearted ? No! certainly not. We realise that the circumstances are exceptional; out

Empire is at war, and faint-hearted ones feared that this was not the time to risk the disorganisation of our finances, which they think will follow National Prohibition. A line spirit pervaded the meeting of temperance workers held the day after election to say farewell to Mr and Mrs Snowden. One veteran worker said he had that morning started work for next election. Mr Snowden reminded us that a light against such forces of evil could not be won by three months* work before election. We are realis ing to-day how much educating people take before they will get rid of ancient feelings and prejudices. Let us start at once on a grand educational crusade against King Alcohol. Let us aim to get Temperance Hygiene not an optional, but a compulsory subject in our schools. Let us or ganise young people’s societies, and see that those who will come of age in the next three years .are won to our side.

The enemy considers we have received a permanent set back, but we know different. We know •ur cause is a real live cause to-day, and that it is bound to conquer. The forces of righteousness never suffer ultimate defeat; the fight for free dom, though baffled oft, is ever won. We have to buckle* on our armour for another three years of hard labour. We do not fear tint there will be any laggards in our ranks. God’s bugle never sounds a retreat. Ilis command is ever “Forward.” The fight may be long, but victory is certain. For right is right since God is God, And right the day must win; To doubt would be disloyalty. To falter would be sin.