The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1915. WAR AND LIQUOR TRAFFIC RESTRICTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 244, 18 October 1915, Page 9

The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1915. WAR AND LIQUOR TRAFFIC RESTRICTION.

Much has been said lately about war being contrary to Christianity. Indeed, it is so, but so are many other things in our midst, such, for in stance, as the Liquor Traffic, the White Slave Traffic, as well as much in our social and economic systems. And we think h possible that in the eyes of God war may not appear the greatest of these evils.

Every nation engaged in this terrible conflict is learning that if it wishes to be in the state of greatest efficiency it must do away with strong drink. Russia has become a prohibition country, and all other belligerent nations have had to restrict the traffic. National sins bring national punishments. The United States washed the dark stain of slavery from her flag in the blood of her bravest and her best, and if the British Empire purges herself from the sin of the licensed liquor bar at the cost of a terrible war, dare we say the price has been too great? Statisticians tell us that on an average every year strong drink slays more than war, pestilence and famine combined. The abolition of the liquor traffic, even at such a cost, would mean a saving of iife in the long run, and what mother would not prefer to sacrifice her son in defence of his country than see him fall a victim to the brewer's greed? From a teir.peiance worker in NewSouth Wales comes the following ‘'South Australia has carried 6 o'clock closing at a referendum, and the Government has passed a Bill to give effect to it. Our Parliament carried a vote asking the Government to make 9 o’clock closing compulsory (opening at 8 a m.). We are trying to force the Government to put a Bill through to give effect to the vote. Victoria has carried a Bill, now in force, opening bars at 8 a.m., closing at 9.30 p.m. West Australia is submitting it to the people’s vote the same as South Australia, except that the State is divided into four parts, thus the cities may carry one hour of closing, and the goldfields another.” W hat is New Zealand doing to restrict this traffic, or are we going to be left behind in this good fight ?

A call was made upon our Unions to get petitions signed in favour of f> o’clock closing, and. short as the time was, many L’nions rose nobly to the occasion. Dunedin secured 5214 signatures; Wellington, 3264; Christchurch, 3790; Timaru, 2508; Invercargill, 1139; Waipawa, 1210; Palmerston North, 1870; Hastings, tool ; Napier, 781; Auckland, 799; Gisborne. 734; Kaiapoi (Electorate), C 24; Nelson, 671; Ashburton, 521; Wanganui, 576; Patea, 551.; Stratford, 528; Lower Hutt, 453; Waikato, 428; Feilding, 415; Pahiatua, 402; Picton and Blenheim, 485; Waitemata (Electorate), 461; Wnangarei, 370; Waitaki, 308 ;

Mataura, 390; Wellington Suburbs (Electorate), 344; Mosgiel, 207; Petone, 222 ; W allace, 205 ; Port ( halmers, 278; Masterton, 258; Egmont, 265; Tuakau, 130; Onehunga, 168; Lyttelton, 137; Te Kuite, 128; Otaki, 148; Puktkohe, 175; Bluff, 103; Waihi, 157; Hikurangi, 191 ; New Brighton, 91; Morrinsville, 88; Ellesmere, 33; RU aia, 96; Central Otago, 43; W’ellsford, 56. This petition was presented to Parliament, and was referred to th< M to Z Committee, and after evidence had been taken by this committee, it was reported to the House. The Committee reported that as this was a policy measure, they could make no recommendation but urged the Government to give consideration to the matter. The petition was talked out, and so for this session nothing will bo done.

Now what are we going to do? The Wellington Provincial Convention has sent a recommendation to the N.Z. Convention to discuss the matter fully and make arrangements for a thorough canvass of the Dominion with a view of presenting so large a petition to Parliament at the beginning of the session that even a National Government must give effect to the will of the people.

Now, in order to do this it will be necessary for every Union to be ready, and to send delegates to C(invention, or if this be impossible, then send to the Corresponding Secretary suggestions for carrying out this work. We know that the war is engrossing our thoughts and energies, but surely, without relaxing our efforts for our “boys” at the front, we can spare some time and strength to fight an even deadlier enemy than the German or the Austrian.