PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO THE W.C.T.U. NATIONAL CONVENTION, MARCH, 1929.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 405, 18 April 1929, Page 3

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO THE W.C.T.U. NATIONAL CONVENTION, MARCH, 1929.

In deciding upon a message to this Convention, it has proved somewhat diilicult to strike a high and optimistic note, especially in the face of the poll of last November, auu what that poll implies. in any review of the past three years' work, the first impression is one of failure, failure not only of the accomplishment of our supreme aim and purpose, but failure to hold fast even that which, through long years of effort, we had gained. To many it has been a bitter disappointment, while to some it has meant almost a complete lapse of that faith in human possibilities, without which there is no incentive or inspiration for renewed hope and effort in any cause for human uplift. To every one in the Union it has implied that somewhere and somehow we have come short of the best that we are capable of, as well as the best that we had hoped for. Above all, the result of the poll has come as a challenge, if ever challenge were offered to the whole Christian manhood and womanhood of New Zealand. That such a challenge was necessary, can one of us assembled here to-day, deny? Later on, when we examine the position honestly and in detail, we may realise something of what is involved, and so find justification for a renewal of our faith and effort. Meanwhile, it may encourage and refresh us somewhat to look away for a time from our own isolated record, and take note of what the world generally is thinking and doing on this, as well as other questions of deep import to the wellbeing of the human race—more particularly what the women of the world are trying to accomplish in their own fields of work. As Anna Gordon says: “We are living in a new age, an age of scientific accomplishment; an age of national r.nd inter-racial ideals; an age also of inter-dependence among nations, of co-cperation. scientific and com mercisi, political and intellectual, and of a new understanding, which

honestly faced, must result in the goodwill that makes for peace.” This is increasingly shown by the number of and growth of international gatherings, which are convened under all manner of auspices every year. Never before has one year been so crowded with such gatherings, all of them wide in scope, and high in aims, as was the one just closed. Of great significance to us is the fact that in all of them, the woman's contribution has taken its place alongside that of the man. Quite evidently recognising her great opportunity and consequent responsibility, she has, both by pen and voice, played a conspicuous part, not only in big international concerns and conferences, but in the intellectual and moral life of the nations of which she forms a part. Even in such a gathering of pure intellect as the Conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations, women have a high place, notably amongst these being Miss Helen K. Kim, a Korean woman, who touched the high lights of the Conference by an outstanding research paper on her own country and people, thus taking her place amongst the greatest intellects of the day in Pacific countries. In the League of Nations Secretariat, in the Labour organisation, and on several of the permanent commissions, women are still holding their own, although no woman has yet gone to the Assembly a fullyaccredited delegate, nor lias any woman yet appeared in the Council of the League. We can rejoice, however, that the work of Dame Rachel Crowdy, Chief of the Opium Traffic and Social Service Section of the League, has been so appreciated, that she lias been re-appointed until 19 30. It is hoped that this may be extended until 1 935. Strong efforts are being made in this direction.

Individually and collectively, the world over, women arc doing great things and setting us in New Zealand a high standard of possibilities within ourselves, which we are still far from attaining. In China, India. Japan, Korea, in Egypt, Turkey, Sweden, Germany. America, in Great Britain, in Austria Hungary, and the newly-constructed states of Europe, women, possessed

by a Christ-like vision of human values, and a whole-hearted desire for service, seem to no limit to their aspirations in that service, and many are realising and achieving the success they desire. Take the record of such women as the Chinese Jurist, Miss Soume Scheng lawyer and judge—her life story is a great romance, educated in Paris, she represented the Chinese Government at the Peace Conference in Paris in 1919. After her return to China she was made Judge of the Supreme Court of Kiangsu Province, and then President of the Provisional Court of Shaughai—later offered the post of Chinese Minister to France, which was declined. In extension of this attitude, we had the outstanding Chinese women delegates to the Pan-Pacific Conference —wonderful women, doing a great work in education, health, and industry, women with American and European University degrees and post-graduate qualifications. The same applies to Phillipina and Japanese women. Go to India, and we have the wonderful story of the life and work of Sarojini Naidu, the Indian poetess, who also was President of the Indian National Congress, Indian Ambassador to South Africa, and Minister of Health for two years in an important Indian State. Mile. Bequillon. a young French w T oman, has achieved the distinction of being the first woman to occupy a Chair of Law r in a French University, having been appointed Professor of Law at the University of Renes. Also Gertrude Bell. Traveller, Explorer. Diplomatist, and Scientist. In the matter of service through public life, the Swedish women up till 1924 or 1925, were perhaps the most advanced. Germany and Great Britain, as w r ell as America, now come very close up with them, and in some cases are ahead. Swedish women are exceedingly active in all that to civic freedom and the industrial rights of women and children, in questions of Public Health, Poor Relief, Housing, School Beards, Higher Education for Girls, Municipal Nursing, the Care of Poor Mothers, and indeed, in all Child Welfare Institutions. They have six women in their National Parliament, 221 Town

Councillors, and 481 Kural Councillors. and have been exceptionally well-represented on the League of Nations by able women. England, although not till this year fully enfranchised, has had as many as eight women In the House of Commons, women belonging to various political parties, but speaking as one voice or. all feminist questions.

In Great Britain there are a large and increasing number of women on all local governing bodies, on Educational and Child Welfare organisations, public as well as private. They are taking a prominent part also as women mayors, women justices and women police, thus showing that our sisters of the Homeland are. slowly, but surely, making a footing for themselves in public affairs far ahead of what we are doing in New Zealand, even after 115 years of enfranchisement. Take the German women —it may be news to some of us to hear that there are between 30 and 4 0 women Deputies in the Parliament of the German Republic—that in spite of tremendous opposition from the more conservative men, they have almost revolutionised the social structure in that country, and of greater importance still, these women contributed very largely and constructively to the framing of the constitution of their Republic. This is the first time in the history of the world that women have permitted to influence the constitution of any great nation. Surely, these are records and indications to make us open our eyes and ask ourselves wdiither we are trending. Hut time will not allow us to linger on this fascinating record—we must pass on. Neither will it be possible to deal in detail with all the Conferences that have come and gone, absorbingly interesting though they may be, but some of them we cannot pass without notice.

Notable amongst them and first in order of time, was the wonderful gathering on the Mount of Olives, the Jerusalem Conference of the International Missionary Council. w r hen 24 0 men and women from the Christian communities of 50 countries came together to discuss around the Council Table the deep issues involved Li modern Christian civilisation.

Basil Matthews lias very vividly and very beautifully described it in his book, “Hoads to the City of God.” “On the ridge of the Mount of Olives in brilliant spring sunshine, men and women of 50 nations, chosen from the leadership of the Christian community in every continent under heaven, came together through Passiontide, 1028. They came by roads that lead up from the ends of the earth to the Holy City, to face frankly and together the final challenging issue in the world to-day —the adequacy of the Christian message to transform and save men in the face of his sin-tormented life everywhere, and especially in face of the world, —conquering tides of material civilisation and the resultant maelstrom of industrial and rural revolutions and inter-racial conflict. The Imagination, quickened by the influences of the place, desperately fails, and the personalities of these meif and women desperately fail in striving to soar to a height of contemplation from which the wonder of the event, first as a fact, and then in its possibilities may be gathered in one comprehensi\e vision—a vision, first down the long roads of history leading through the centuries to this hour and place—then across the contemporary world-wide crisis of the human scene in its unique experience of upheaval and of problems confronting each in his owm land, these men and women of every race; and lastly a vision into the unsearchable riches and power of the One, Who drew us all to that place, the Man, who, having prayed in agony on the slopes of this Mount, staggered under a cross up the streets of that city, whose name has become, through His life and death and resurrection there, the very symbol of the Kingdom, of God on earth, the New Jerusalem. Here then is the world standing In desperate need, at a supreme hour in the historic process. Here are the city and the Mount, once visited by the Son of God, in Whom that need can he met. Here in that place is a group of men and women from many nations, members of His Body, disciples to whom he has definitely committed the charge of giving to the world in life and word, the Good News that heralds the Kingdom of God. Those disciples have come to Jerusalem along the world’s high-

ways, not of their own initiative and volitions, but under the compelling influence of the poignant, the well nigh tragic demand of the Christian community in every part of the world for a decisive, authentic lead from God for the adventure that is to-day and to-morrow. The conviction grows that it is inconceivable that God could, by such clear compulsion, have called such a body of folks from such a background to face world need in such a day, unless He had it in His will to do creative work and to initiate a new day of advance for His Kingdom. The event sustains that conviction, strengthening it into certainty.”

In August came another of these great gatherings, when the interests and trends of the World’s Sunday School Movement, w'ere discussed by 8,000 delegates at Los Angeles—earnest and devoted men and women, again from every country of the world, and all deeply concerned in finding the best that Christian ethics and spiritual vision have to offer the youth of this generation to awaken the imagination and inspire the service of the citizens of to-morrow

Two somewhat technical, but nevertheless most valuable Conferences, held in Europe this year, have been the International Labour Conference at Geneva (an annual gathering l and the International Congress against Alcohol at Antwerp. Both have added considerably to the deeper thought developing everywhere on these questions. The International Congress against Alcoholism is of special interest to us, as opponents of the Liquor Trade.

At that Congress were present, scientific authorities and research experts from practically every country in Europe, as w’ell as from America.

These men exact and expert evidence of the latest findings in the scientific world with regard to the nature of alcohol, and the harm it does, especially as a racial poison. They ’•eported upon the laws now enacted in so many countries against supplying children and young people with it. Most interesting evidence w’as given also as to the results and experience of Prohibition in America and Finland, and the tremendous struggle that is now taking place in

Kurope and elsewhere against the vice of alcoholic drink. This Congress was wonderfully educative, and stands for the true foundation work upon which Prohibition must be built in every country, if it is to be a permanent factor in the life of that country’s people. In July and August, White Kibhoners from all quarters of the globe met in triennial Convention at I,ausanne, in Switzerland. Again time will not permit of any detailed account of the proceedings during that eventful two weeks, but all agree that it was marvellously inspiring, full of uplift and instruction. and that the contacts there made between women of every nation, will have a lasting influence upon the work of the Union in all the 51 countries of its affiliations. The message to this Congress from the World’s President. Miss \nna Gordon, is a masterpiece in its detail and summary of women's work the world over. Its optimistic tone with regard to the fields of activity covered by the Union and the projects, national and international, yet to be set going, sounds a note of solid comfort to us in New Zealand, who are still feeling the hurt of our last poll.

Here are Miss Gordon's words: “We are citizens of a new world — a world of new problems and new programmes. We are a vital section of the united womanhood that is helping to awaken this new world to its vastly-extended spiritual and social obligations and opportunities. We are helping to safeguard the travellers on the highways and skyways of this new world with a knowledge of the illuminating truth about alcohol; alcohol, the new destructive enemy of the human race, retreats before truth, and our new. bewildering, wonderful world shall be made more safe for the oncoming host. “In our supreme moral, social, and spiritual adventure —-the capital task committed to our hands—we are coworkers with God. Wp are a responsible division of a colossal world conflict to protect the child—the holiest investment m earth. Arrayed against us are selfish, strongly-organised financial interests, intent only on protecting their investments in the manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages.

“To be a citizen to-day—to help younger women to develop and ripen in the golden sunshine of Christian civilisation —is a consummation devoutly to be wished, and is a necessary fine art in the complex school of life. The close and constant study and practice of this fine art is essential to the stability and growth of our local branches, and will give us added power for our greater task ahead. To-day woman's responsibility as a voter is so immeasurably great that, whether she realises it or not, her ballot has become international in significance and as big as the universe itself.” Concurrently with the Lausanne Convention was the first Pan-Pacific Women's Conference, held under the auspices of the Pan-Pacific Union at Honolulu, chief city of that Paradise of the Pacific, the enchanting Hawaiian Islands. It may be asked what is to be the outcome of all these meetings and talkings, is the sum total going to benefit mankind as a whole, or is the individual, who attends as a delegate, or a visitor, the only one who may receive uplift and enlightment. This is not an idU* criticism, but one that carries its own inference, which is that everything depends upon the type of person who is chosen as delegate to these conferences.

If such gatherings are to be of any value in bringing about a national and international conscience through the education and influencing of public opinion, then those who choose delegatee must make themselves responsible for sending the right people, and when they return, see to it that they are given plenty of opportunity to report back what they have learned and what has impressed them, and to carry the message back to those who sent them. Only thus can the purpose of the promoters justify itself, and bring into being the understanding and goodwill, which alone will bring that purpose to fruition. What that purpose in its main features really is, may be gathered by the diligent student of reports and round-table discussions. It will be found to be " desire for mutual understanding between peoples and nations of all important questions, a desire to face up to these questions, whether they be points of

argument or points of disagreement, and to see the other persons' or the other nations' point of view, to take the best they have to give and to offer the best that we have to give in social service, in education, in science, in industry, and in national ideals. When this understanding and interaction has been arrived at. then and only then can i>ermanent peace and goodwill be possible, for amidst all the varied interests that have engaged the time and attention of the men and women at these various Congresses, one common theme, perhaps never even mentioned, has lain in' the sub-conscious background of all the thought and research so freely contributed, and that theme is. that universal goodwill and peace, through mutual understanding, even if that understanding does not at all times mean agreement, shall be the final outcome. There can be no room for doubt, that in goodwill through mutual understanding lies the only road to disarmament, and through disarmament lies the only road to World Peace.

So much for what has been going on in the world around us. shall we return now to a consideration of things social and feminist in New Zealand: Reviewing legislative progress in this country for the past few years, we seemed to reach our high watermark in 1926. In that year women were admitted as Justices of the Peace. The Guardianship of Infants’ Art was amended in the direction of giving the mother co-guardianship with the father, also some very necessary amendments were made to the Police Offences and Destitute Persons' Acts, and the somewhat futile but well-principled Family Allowances Act was passed. Since then, if we except the amendments to the Mental Defectives Act. little progress can be reported in the legislative demands of women. Still more disconcerting is the fact, that of four women who faced the strenuous and difficult work of a political campaign, not one succeeded in winning a seat, although three of them gained a very good vote, and all put up a vigorous fight. This, and the somewhat allied happenings, of apparent disaster to

the Prohibition vote, are matters of the deepest significance to us. For. think what we will and excuse ourselves as we may, there is no escaping the fact that a deadly apathy and lack of faith had gripped the women of New Zealand, bringing in its train these two results. Coming fresh from contact with women of other Pacific countries, at the Honolulu Conference, women who were simply aflame with ideals of the possibilities of their part in the regeneration of society, when fully enfranchised, to one who had been there the reaction was appalling. It struck a chill to one’s heart and brain to see how little value the women of this country were placing upon the legal power they possessed to raise the standard of social and public life in the nation It looked as though the ideals for which w'e stood 35 years ago, when we so earnestly sought enfranchisement, for which Oriental and Pacific women are still fighting, that those ideals had all been tried and found wanting, or worse still found utterly unattainalde. And this we know is not so, from the history of women in other lands —we know the fault is ours. What has happened to us? It is useless to excuse ourselves any longer. We have had our opportunity during the last 35 years; what have we done with it? We may rightly claim to have influenced legislation and social conditions to a certain extent, and a few of our women have gained positions on local bodies and national institutions that only. We are not, as many other women are, influencing the big things of our nation, or shaping its future in the highest interests of unborn generations, as we claimed we could do. Face to face with the women of other countries, who have enjoyed political freedom for a much shorter time than we have, our record is not inspiring —the women first in the w r orld to gain our citizenship and possibly last to make full use of it.

When, as we have already done, w’e think of other countries, some of which we are inclined to look down Upon, and compare the work of women there with our own. it must arrest our attention anti give us cause for grave reflection.

Do we realise that here, w'here the University with its attendant High Schools was, through the work of noble pioneer women, thrown open to New Zealand w’omen so many years ago, in the academic and scientific world, w'onien are playing no great or ambitious part, either in the life of our own nation or in the life of the world at large, while Chinese and Japanese, American, British and Indian women are doing so much, in science, in law, in culture, and in government. Surely wo have cause for serious self-examination, living, as we do. under every condition of citizenship that the most ardent democrat could ask for, in that we never seem to rise above a standard of self-satisfied mediocrity. What is the reason for

this? is it the fault of our national standards, is it caused by our high level of physical comfort, is it that New Zealand motherhood has lowered its standard of life for the race, moral and spiritual, and concentrated upon the physical alone? It looks very much as if we are sinking into a moral apathy, and an almost utter lack of intellectual courage and ambition, as the result of a lessening of the firm grip on spiritual realities, which once was ours. Truly, it is only the spiritual vision and understanding that can . bring forth a life of high endeavour, and of higher attainment in the service of mankind. For this we need a baptism of fire and the spirit throughout our land for which we must pray. However, it is hardly good for us to reach the stage where pessimism may stultify the will for higher endeavour and a more courageous outlook upon the future, which eall3 to us from the heights and also from the depths of human suffering, and we, of this division, must face the position fairly and squarely and admit that our w r ork has not stood the test, then with renewed courage and faith face the future. Lawrence Housman, in dramatising Mr Gladstone’s final defeat on the Irish question, and as Prime Minister of Kngland. after years of unparalelled service to his country, puts into tile mouth of Lord Morley these words:“Great causes must face and number their defeats, this is how they

come to victory. I see him now more than anything else, as a man of faith—-He has given us the cause of liberty as a sacred trust, If we break faith with that we ourselves shall he broken, and we shall deserve it.” In 1898 Mr Gladstone died at the age of 89. hut it was not until more than 20 years after his death, that even a measure of that liberty in which he had supreme faith was granted to Ireland, the land for whose freedom he battled so long. Our own leaders one by one have gone, as the years go by, to their long rest, with that same faith on their lips and in their hearts—faith in the ultimate triumph of our cause. Is it believable that all of this generation has less faith than he and they? As a testing time for the educational work done in New Zealand, the last poll is fully significant, and brings into the white light of midday, the fact that New’ Zealand people are not yet grounded in a knowledge of what the drink traffir is. and what it stands for. Until this is so, we shall neither win nor hold Prohibition in this or any other country. Nevertheless, w r e must not let this fill us with dismay or hinder our future efforts—like those who have gone on before, we must have faith founded on truth and knowledge—we must take the whole world into review, and look upon our contribution as part of a universal movement. going ever onw'ard towards the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the universe.

Great encouragement comes to us from the success of Prohibition in America, but we must never forget that wdiile on the one hand it gLes us cause for rejoicing, on the other it lashes the liquor interests of the world into redoubled activity and into campaigns of misrepresentation, not to be surpassed in the history of any modern reform. We have had hitter experience of this in New Zealand during the last year, and may expect worse as time goes on; if anyone thinks we accuse the liquor traffic without just cause, let her listen to this. Cuttings are to hand from papers such as the “New York Times,” “New' York Post,” “New r York

World,” “Washington Herald, “Philadelphia -Ledger,” etc. Under date Wellington, New Zealand. November 14th. an Associated Press message declares that “Prohibition was defeated by a majority of 100,000, and that the Government forces, under J. G. Coates, Prime Minister, suffered a severe set back in the triennial Parliamentary election to-day. Prohibition was on the ballot in the form of a referendum, as to whether it should be continued or whether a licensing system should be adopted. The vote was overwhelm ingly against the continuance of prohibition.” A further choice example Is lo hand from the Minneapolis “Tribune” (another “wet” paper) which, before the poll and ou September 4th, 1928, contained this: “Australia votes to end prohibition, and by a majority of more than two to one, in NewSouth Wales and the Federal territory of Canberra. In industrial districts the women’s votes were solidly against prohibiton." “in New Zealand, ,ong ago, women voted prohibition in, then voted it out. They decided that men bringing a bottle home and drinking it all at once, were more of a nuisance than men drnking in the public house.” It will be noted, that it is declared that New South Wales in September voted to end prohibition.w hen we all know- that New South Wales has never had prohibition The reference to New Zealand is too rich for comment. That implacable foe of prohibition the Ohio State Journal, reveals the famished condition of the wet camp in an editorial appearing in that paper on November 18th. It is entitled, “.A Referendum on Prohibition.” The writer gives the startling information that New Zealand, after Having tried prohibition three years, repudiated it at a recent election by 120,000, a wide majority in a Dominion, having a population of 1.400,000, including minors. All these happenings, including the subterfuge of State Control, are but symptoms of the fear that possesses the very souls of those engaged in the highly profitable liquor business.

They realize, just as well as we do, or should do, that the nations are awakening to a knowledge* of the true nature of alcohol and the trailic in the same. Moreover, they knowfull well, that so soon as the knowledge spreads, their traffic and their gains are doomed. They are aware, probably more fully than we are, that the experts, engaged in research work on this question, are amongst the foremost scientists of the age, both in Europe and America. To crow-n all this they know too, that the social and economic gains in America are so great, that never or.ce has that country looked back from nationwide prohibition.

Then again they keep in close touch with this question as viewed by the League of Nations —hence the influence of the wine-growing countries w-as used for all it was worth during the 1927 Assembly to prevent further discussion of the question, and great was their rejoicing when nothing definite in the nature of research eventuated that year.

The respite, how-ever was but short lived, and at the 1928 Assembly, Poland, Finland and Sweden, seconded by Belgium and France, again brought forw-ard their request, with the result that a resolution was agreed to, asking the Health organization of the League to collect full statistical information regarding alcoholism from an international investigation standpoint, and credits w-ere given to cover the cost of such an undertaking. In another branch of the League is this work to be carried on as well. The Fifth Commission is to investigate the effects of alcohol upon child welfare, and especially as a factor in heredity. And so the world wide work goes on. and we remind ourselves of all the other agencies at work, recalling the Conference of The International Bureau and Council Against Alcoholism; The World Prohibition Federation; The World League Against Alcoholism; The World Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Notwithstanding this great volume Of the social and scientific trend against the use of this drug, w-e must not forget to bear in mind always, the tremendous advantages that this traffic has at its

command, ami which it never fails to make full use of. interwoven as it lias been into the very life of nations and individuals in social customs, busiuess affairs, on almost every ceremonial occasion, in sickness and in health, its usage is as old as the race itself. It has flourished in past ages ♦ hrough tli ese customs and the almost universal ignorance of the action of alcohol upon living tissue and all life. Recalling also the immense financial power of this business, and the great but easily-earned wealth that comes from its manufacture and sale, we must ask ourselves if we do realize the nature of our quest, and the significance of the background of ages and ignorance, against which this traffic leans for its very existence. It is largely because we did not, as a group of people, realize the desperate nature of the campaign in which we were engaged, and also because We had not the knowledge of and faith in our cause that w-e are entitled to, that the liquor propagandists w-ere able to swing over

so many of our one-time supporters. in face of tlie vast amount of reliable evidence to the contrary, and in face of the election of Herbert Hoover, for the Presidency, and all that this implies, thousands of those who voted with us three years ago, were stampeded into voting Continuance this year through untrue statements about American Prohibition, which were so industriously circulated before the poll. What are wo to do to counteract all that has gone before and its developments in the future can w-e do anything? This much at least we must steel ourselves to face, and to prepare for that the more closely do worldwide activities carry the fight against alcohol to the gates of the enemy, the more desperately will that enemy light, resorting to every device of man or devil to throw back the advance of the armies of righteousness, and the cause of humanity. This being so, our task is colossal and only a deep knowledge oi the facts and a burning faith in the righteousness of our cause,—only a loftv purpose resulting in patient progress, is going to forge for us the key that will unlock the doors

of national freedom from the tyranny of this age-old delusion. Nor do we need to agonise in looking for the means to this end—the work of preparation is ready to our hands if we will only make use of it, right here in this organisation. Faithfully and vigorously carried out. nothing greater can be devised— Scientific Temperance Instruction, Cradle Roll Work. Hand of Hope and 1.T.L., the Y. work and the strength that conies from our Evangelistic exercises—all these and a thorough study of the physical, social and economic dangers of alcohol. These are our weapons, and so soon as w r e have made earnest and faithful use of them, so soon will the men and women of New Zealand put an end to the liquor trade. Our American sisters fifty years ago set to work on this same constitution, evolved by their leaders after the Crusade —they believed unconditionally in the truth and righteousness of their cause, and w’hat is of ever greater moment, to us as an inspiration, they believed in themselves as called and chosen to do this work. They believed that once they had offered themselves on the altar of service for mankind. that Christ accepted them as His friends and co-workers, each with her own part to play. Now they praise Him and thank Him for accepting that service, and bringing into realization that for which through long years they valiantly strove. In 1920 they saw nation-wide Prohioition accomplished, and again in 192 8 they saw the consummation of eight years’ struggle for law enforcement In the election of Herbert Hoover as US.A. Presidentelect.

In spite of all the predictions of disaster, social, moral, and economic, voiced by the liquor interests of the world, in spite of all that those same interests have done during eight years, to defy the American Constitution, to violate international agreemests, to slander the character of American youth in the eyes of the world, these same women had the intense Joy of seeing their labours crowned by such an overwhelming endorsement of national Prohibition, that nothing can now hinder its

march towards full realization in a still higher expression of national life, and in the character of its citizens, who vill undoubtedly lead the world of the future, unless we are prepared to do as they have done and rid ourselves of that which is the bane of social life and which poisons the brain health of the race at its very source. We women must look this position in the face. Lady Astor says: “I don’t say that women will change the wmrld, but I do say that they can if they want to.” Charlotte P. Gilman says: Forget all the buried and welcome the born. Those that are coming are real! Plough for the beautiful dream of the corn— Guild the ideal! Changeless the past, but the future is ours— Open for us to endow; Fruit for our purpose, proof of our powers, Work for it now. All w'e desire is for us to create — Here in our hands here! This is the hour that is never too late, This is the year?