President’s Letter

White Ribbon, Volume 48, Issue 6, 18 July 1942, Page 6

President’s Letter

. r •-**•'* mm,-* My Dear Friends, You are all recruits in the war against beverage alcohol. The relentless exploitation of man power and woman power goes on without halt by the Trade. The new restrictions are a very slight move by the Government to retard the onward march of this nefarious trade. Far greater measures are required. Restrictions which do not restrict are worthless. It is our business to see tliat these restrictions do restrict. Watch your newspajx*rs for accounts of law breaking by the trade and protest. Keep on protesting. Keep a watch on licensed houses and report to the police w'hen you are suspicious of after-hour trading. It is their business to investigate.

Commerce a drive for the abolition of wet canteens. A returned padre has firsthand knowledge of the unspeakable damage l>eer is doing to our troops overseas, and here in New’ Zealand the men are learning to drink through the establishment of wet canteens in military camps. Your warfare against beverage alcohol is a holy warfare. It is tor God, home and humanity. May no recruit in the White Ribbon Army be afraid. The courage of many N.Z. soldiers is proverbial. Let our W.R. Army be as courageous in fighting beer, the cause of the destruction of hundreds of brave men.

Britain the profits of the brewers in war time have risen tremendously and noexceed £34,000,000 |*t year. They have been allowed to use more grain than before the war, although the supply to poultrykeepcrs, dairvtarmers and pigbreeders has been greatly reduced. N.Z. breweries, too, show immense profits. No legitimate business concern can show such profits. Our greatest concern is the damage drink does to the morals of our jieople. Other business concerns are mostly beneficial in one way and another for the good of the country, but the Drink Trade has a villainous effect to ail who succumb to it. We are in this

war till death or victory. Our Captain is the world’s greatest leader. He knows no tie feat. He w ill reign supreme over the whole earth. As we do His will and show no compromise to His foes we are hastening the day when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Yours for abolition and freedom, JESSIE HIF.TT. —— **l —