“THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION MOVEMENT.”

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 274, 18 April 1918, Page 11

“THE STRENGTH OF THE NATION MOVEMENT.”

B. Lee-Cowie, Organiser. “Your iniquities have separated between you and God.” “Ob Israel thou hast destroyed thyself. but in Me is thy help.” Dear President and Comrades, — W hen you sent me forth on the great campaign last year to call the people to prayer and power, we all knew that God alone could help us. The people were so hard, so indifferent, or so absorbed in other branches of patriotic work that our great cause seemed pushed out. However, we began by publishing our ist Manifesto, Utters to churches and to organisations, and getting the whole Dominion organised for distribution of our leaflets, and other things. Next we got our Manifesto into 17 of the leading newspapers of the country ? and weie honoured by leaders, articles, and comments. Ministers read our Manifesto from their pulpitj, Temperance bodies made it part of their programme, and everywhere a deep interest began to be awakened. We spent .£l2B 8s during the first month, and organised from north to south, beginning at Pakiri, that noble little Union that has done so remarkably well in its short existence of it months. In due time came the 2nd Manifesto, which was a “Call to Prayer.” Then came the third, and also two poems—- “ The Cry of the Mothers to the Brewers,” and the “Woman’s Hour.” We were first in the field with an issue of “Defeat,” by Arthur Mee. and sold over 6,000 in a short time ; clearing the whole cost of publication, by its rapid sale. We also tried to increase the sale of our own “White Ribbon.” Last of all in the literature l ; nc, we sold hundreds of an excellent issue of cartoons, published by the Alliance, and a few copies of “The Fiddlers.”

Splendid meetings were held in town and country, attended by thousands of people. Nearly 2000 names were given in of people willing to join our W.C.T.U., or our Prayer Bands. “The Outlook” (the Presbyterian paper) helped us most nobly, while other religious papers cheered us, and encouraged us in every possible way. I interviewed Sir James Allen, the Mayors of different cities, and Members of Parliament, and others, besides giving evidence to the Efficiency Board. Our members worked most loyally in the distribution of the Manifestos and leaflets, and hav" also given of their money to speed the day of Prohibition. Printing and advertising have so increased in cost, I have been debarred from doing all 1 should like to have done, but I think you will agree that a vast amount of work was done for the year, at the moderate cost of /i? - The Officers of the Union were able to meet me in Conference in Wellington in Juno, and we we.e also in that famous six o’clock march to Parliament, and heard the presentation of the case in the House. The half promise of the Premier and Sir joseph Ward to give us a Referendum on the bare majority before the end of the year, did not reach fulfilment. but had all the temperance force■; united in one great Praying host, we could have gone against the liquor mountain, and said. “Be thou removed, and it should have beer done.” Let us this year with deep, strong courage, and unyielding faith go forward saying: “In the name of our God we set up our banneis,*’ and “Through God we shall do valiantly.” Balance Sheet. RECEIPTS.

i * s.d. Donations from I’nions ... 3^ 16 0 Private Donations ... ... 25 0 0 Sales ... 3 2 10 Collections (Balance after deducting local exes.) ... 82 >5 0 140 13 10 Kxpenditure ... 177 0 0 Deb t Balance ../2 7 6