PROHIBITION AND THE WAR.

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 284, 18 February 1919, Page 3

PROHIBITION AND THE WAR.

IN I KKVIi;\V W ITH TEMPER ANCI. SECRETARY.

During the course o! an interview with a representative.* of tlu* “Stand arc!,*’ Miss Agnes Slac k hon. see retary <*f the World’s Women’s Christian temperance \ssociati*>u, and hon. secretary of the National British Women’s Temperance Xssociation, dis* losed some interesting facts relative to the great work Miss Slack lias, and is still actively carrying out in various parts of the world. In view of the fact that tins untiring temperance worker is to deliver an important lecture on Monday, the following incident-. in her career should give inc reused weight to her words next week. Miss Slack lias had a wide experience on four continents, and she has addressed meetings in many of the principal cities and towns, thus being afforded an exceptional opportunity of -undying the social and economical cjuestions and conditions in each of the continents. In Italy particularly has Miss Slack favoured with her presence, and it was due to her strenuous endeavours that the Women’s Temperance* Movement was commenced in Italy prior to the war. Miss Slack was specially received by the Qu who was much interested in her work, at the ancient Quirinal Palace in Rome, and 'he expressed appreciation of the work. Previous strength was given to the cause by the* establishment of the movement in lx>th Belgium and France, which benefited materially by the meetings addressed in tin* principal towns of Belgium and in Paris by Miss Slack. W hilst in the former country she was much struck by the general feeling that a great European war was pending. Continuing her tour, Miss Slack visited India, where exceptional opportunities were afforded her by the potentates for visiting the people. The hospitality extended to her, by both low and high caste, proved a feature of the trip. The latter were very interested in the work she was doing, and never lost an opportunity of telling her of how the Mohammedan and other Indian religions taught 1 »tai abstinence as an essential part of their e While in the country -he was the guest of Viceroy I.ord and I.adv M nto, at their Calcutta palace.

Miss Slack has travelled in South Africa, and three years after the Boer War had th** pleasure of addressing the first meeting of British and Boer ladies in Pretoria. One interesting feature of the vi-i* was the delightful day spent guest of Dr. Jameson, at (irootese hut, where she met several Cabinet Ministers. During the day she* spent some turn* examining the priceless curios and old Dutc h furniture, collected at great tumble, t»y the late Ceul Rhodes. I)r. Jameson t.tiled s|N*eial attention |«> the bed room occupied by the- great Premier, from which a wonderful view ot 'Fable Mountain was to he obtained, and explained to Miss Slack and her friend that the room was arranged in such a position that Mr Rhodes could see the mountain, adding that “his greatest ideas always came to him as he* looked at the* mountain.’ Miss Slac k replied that “it seemed very fitting that Cecil Rhodes lies buried at the top of the* great Motoppo R.mge in Rhodesia.” In conclusion, Miss Slack referred to the temperance existing among the* American troops in Britain, and spoke of tin- dangers of the liquor to th° wounded coming home in their weak or hijdilv strung condition.