Presidential Address

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 3, 1 April 1950, Page 1

Presidential Address

The year just ended marks a very eventful period in the history of our Union work and of our Dominion. As a Union we have made history. VISIT OF THE WORLD PRESIDENT Mrs. Forro*tor-P*toii From our viewpoint the outstanding event was the visit of the World President, the first occasion on which the 1 ‘ommion Union had been so honoured. It was a great delict and inspiration to welcome Mrs. ForresterPaton and. although the visit was all too short, it was a memorable experience for all those who were fortunate enough to meet and to hear the World President. In her talks Mrs. Paton crystallised for us the White Ribbon Bond vhich unites us with the women cf every country, race and language and helped us to realise, in some measure, that unity in Jesus Christ which binds us together in a great Cause The \arious meetings have already been reported through the White Ribbon. Mrs. Paton has written very kindly in appreciation of the delightful time she spent with the in New Zealand. Her meeting with our Maori members at Waitomo Caves was an unforgettable experience. I take this opportunity to pass on to you all her Cireetings and warm thanks and her prayer “May (»od richly bless all the W.C.T.U. work in New* Zealand." LICENSING POLLS It has most ctrtainly been a "Polling Year V* Two Polls on the Licensing ouestion

were held during the vear, namely, the Referendum on 6 o’clock closing of licensed hotel bars, held in March, and the tri-ennial Licensing Poll held in November. The former aroused a great deal of attention among all sections of the community, and the widespread publicity from the Press and from the public platform pulpit was valuable propaganda for our Cause. A Call to Praver had been made to our

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members throughout the Dominion and on that day earnest prayer ascended from the hearts and homes of many loyal New Zealand women. The people of this country voted for the continuance of 6 o'clock closing by a majority vote of 75.5 per cent. We thank our God for the abundant answer. The retention of No-License in the King Country also gives us cause for thanksgiving. The deputation of Maori people, led by their King, which waited upon the Prime Minister in this matter, is historic. Many of our Maori members took part m the deputation. The result of the Tri-ennial Poll in November was not altogether a surprise. The lowering of spiritual values and the break-down of moral standards, consequent, largely, on two World Wars, when normal life was greatly in abeyance, is clearly revealed in the attitude of the people towards the Curse of the Nation the legalised Liquor Traffic. We must face the tact mat there is much greater drinking in the homes, in hidden places and elsewhere. Children and minors are reported to he drinking more generally and the cruel, deeply laid and well organised "Blood Money’’ Campaign of the World Brewers’ Conference of IQJ3 “to teach the rising generation to drink” has been largely and woefully successful. 1 give here, for comparison, the results of the 1946 and 1949 Polls.

Do you recall an occasion in the last World War? Mr. Churchill was in France during a crisis. He returned to London, called his Cabinet together and told them, “France has fallen. We are standing alone AND I FIND IT INSPIRING!!” THAT IS VICTORY! GAMBLING The Referendum on “Off-Course Betting" held also in March, created much publicity and awakened the intelligent section of the community to the enormity of this character-destroy-ing habit and addiction. The ever mounting figures of money passed through the totalisator shows how deeply entrenched is the Twin Evil. Yea. verily, the World is sick of a Fever! COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING Before the Referendum in August the Union petitioned the Government for an assurance that, in the event of this becoming Law, Wet Canteens w'ould not be allowed in Camps for young men called up under this Scheme, and also that the Law prohibiting the sale of liquor to youths under 21 years of age would be strictly enforced. The assurance asked for was given by the Prime Minister. THE FORWARD MOVE —OUR FIVE YEAR PLAN Tb*s plan was inaugurated at last Contention to intensify our work in all its departments. The Keynote is PRAYER Considering the extra work and the difficulties consequent on a Poll year, the reports have been encouraging but we would like to see more done and all such work reported. As we begin our second year of the Plan let us remember that “PRAYF.R i« the Pathway to POWER" and that “God worketh for them that wait for Him” MAORI WORK ORGANISER APPOINTED Early in September, through the good offices of Rev. A. J. Seamer, we had the pleasure of welcoming into our work as an Organiser, Mrs. Eunice Bell, a Maori member of the Union and an ex-Turakina College student. Mrs. Bell has done a considerable amount of visiting and speaking and has endeavoured to open up the way for the organisation of some Maori Unions. New members have been gained and interest created in the Temperance Cause in places hitherto untouched by the Union. We commend our Organiser to you all and ask that you will uphold her in Prayer as she seeks to help her own people in their stern fight against the common Enemy. YOUTH WORK The need for intensive Temperance work among the youth of our land is very great and calls for a full time “Y" Organiser. I would commend to Unions the work being done in Belmont “Y" Branch, There is no more fruitful work for the future of the

W.C.T.U., and for National Temperance than the “Y" work. The Bands of Hope and L.T.L. groups speak of sacrifice and loving service by busy women who seek to sa\e the Nation through the child life. “Save the child and you will save the Nation." We are frequently told by church leaders when we plead with them to co-operate with us in the forming of a Band of Hope, “Oh, the Band of Hope is old-fashioned. Can’t you think up something new?" They apparently can’t for they haven’t done it. The opinion is commonly held by men and women who have had their early training and experience in the Band of Hope that nothing has ever taken its place as an organism for the building up of Christian, sober, clean good citizens and church workers. In the cycle of the years we see how good are the old-fashioned things. For a time “Jazz" that noisy, raucous mass of heathen jangle and body twitching held sway in the fevered minds and emotions of masses of people. But it is passing, as all that is counterfeit must pass. How refreshing and gladdening to return to the dear oldfashioned music and songs, great Oratorios, which speak of kindness and lo\e, and beauty and peace; yes, and sorrow and chivalry, and Home and God’s Love. The hearts of men and women are hungering for these things. After all, it is only heart and goodnesss that li\es. Evil and superficial things must die. The great and good and beautiful in music, song and story and in memories of Band of Hope days, live in our hearts for e\er, because they are good. So friends, keep the good old-fash-ioned Band of Hope in its rightful place, in the heart of Christian work, sowing the seeds of Temperance and purity and goodnesss in the hearts of little children. GLIMPSES OF WORK IN OTHER LANDS U.S.A. Celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of the Union at the Convention held in August last. Attended by eleven hundred-delegates and visitors. It was the first time that n large women’s organisation has reached the three-quarters of a century mark. Has local organisations in 10.000 communities of the United States alone. A'most fifty thousand new members, including young people and honorary members, have been secured during the past year. An outstanding tribute was paid to the Union by Mr. Howard N. Clinton, Editor of “Progress” and Superintendent of the International Reform Federation who has been for fifty years a guest speaker of local, State, National and World W.C.T.U. Mr. Howard writes in the October issue of “Progress,” “I have declined to speak under the auspices of other Dry organisations because they are unstable and operate along the line of least resistance. Not so the W.C.T.U. It has not changed its name or front since the fire from heaven fell upon the Crusade women.”

INDIA. We rejoice to know that India has already, in a measure, accomplished Prohibition and that the aim is to make the whole, vast country DRY. Madras became Dry and Bombay is aiming to follow on April Ist, P>so. All provinces have launched the Prohibition Campaign. Official parties and banquets are “Dry.” More than 12.MX) toddy and liquor shops have been closed down. It is believed that Prohibition will he enforced throughout the country in the next five years at the latest. The Gover-nor-General of India is a Prohibitionist. We congratulate our sisters of the India W.C.T.U. on this great victory for our Cause. GERMANY. The W.C.T.U. is reported to be making remarkable progress. Frau Fischer, National President, writes, “Our W.C.T.U. work was nearly destroyed but the Lord lias blessed our rebuilding. We had much good success this year, and we always felt stronger when feeling the true sisterhood of White Rihl)on throughout the world.” SWITZERLAND. Is remarkable for work done by women in promoting alcohol-free canteens, restaurants and hotels. The Woman’s Company in Zurich for Temperance Hotels, which celebrated fifty years of service in 1044. maintains a huge business, w’ith three residential hotels, fifteen restaurants and four canteens. DENMARK. The Government subsidises the Temperance work by over £4,000 per annum. SLOVAKIA. A town in Slovakia ha* decided that people who have been intoxicated during the week must sweep the streets and weed the parks the following Saturday. ITALY. It is reported that during her recent visit to Italy, Princess Margaret declined a new type of cocktail concocted by an “expert" and named after the Princess. Fruit juice was substituted. While in these and other countries we note intelligent progress towards Temperance and Prohibition we turn with real concern to the reports of the trend in Great Britain and New Zealand The Licensing (New Towns) Bill introduced by the British Labour Government, and which is likely soon to become Law, Iras met with much opposition by the Temperance forces there. It has called forth from the National British Women’s Total Abstinance Union a declaration of its Policy which it will he well for us to remember as it is also the stand which our Union takes in this matter of the regulation of the Alcohol Liquor Traffic. Its Policy is as follows: What the ‘British Women" stand fcr. We stand for the extinction of the Liquor Traffic, not for its regulation; we cannot consent to become parties to any schemes for carrying it on.

Nationalisation pushes Prohibition further back, and makes its adoption more difficult. It brings the whole nation into partnership in the sale of Drink, gives to all a share in the profit, and so convenes the present vested interest of a few into the vested financial interest of all. W hen a huge sum of public money has been expended in buying up the breweries and distilleries for the nation, the Government would inevitably be tempted to foster a larger and more profitable business than ever before in order to secure an adequate return on the capital outlay, and the welfare of the people might easily be sacrificed to the claims of the Exchequer. The nationalisation of dangerous and destructive trades cannot alter their character, and is therefore a wrong policy for reformers. To invest the liquor trade with the authority and prestige of a Government industry would increase it* power and strengthen its hold upon the nation. It would throw upon the whole people the responsibility for its bitter fruits, its wastage and sorrows. The President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland, Dr. S. W. Hughes, in a recent address said: —

“In Britain’s internal life we must not stand apart and see our great hopes deferred by evil customs. Our National Debt is £23,000 million . . .

but we still gamble to the tune of £630 millions a year employing more than 300,000 people to mediate these anti-social transactions. Our Drink Bill rises from £376 millions in 1940 to £762 millions in 1948, notwithstanding that the chemical analysis of a glass of beer gives food nutriment equal to less than one ounce of bread. In 1046 we spent thirty-one per cent more on food for our families than in 1938, but one hundred and thirty per cent more on alcoholic beverages. Deterioration in character and skill through drink is so widespread and persistent, so tragically intimate to many homes . . . Our Nation, so splendid in many ways in spirit and achievement, cannot afford to spend £2,000 millions on Drink, Gambling and Tobacco out of its annual spending of £9,675 million.

We must judge Gambling and Drink in relation to national morale and, above all, to the Coming of the Kingdom of God in our midst.” New Zealand’s Drink Bill for 1948 was £16.700,723 the highest ever recorded.

What has been said concerning Britain could be said of New Zealand with equal truth, on a smaller scale.

Our Annual Convention is a time of stock-taking, of summing-up, and, as we meet thus to hear reports, to exchange ideas and to count our victories and disappointments we find there is no cause for discouragement or losing heart. On the contrary we are encouraged as we look round this hall and see seventy keen, busy

women, representing, as you go, some thousands of women in New Zealand, in our Union, and also thousands of other Christian women in the land who arc with us in heart and purpose although not in our membership, upholding the principles for which we stand; mothers grateful to the for the work we are doing for their children; men of principle and goodwill who recognise in us a force which makes for righteousness and who stand solidly with us and, by their prayers and encouragement, strengthen our hand.

We must never lose sight of the fact that it is not merely a battle in which we are engaged. It is a Warfare, continuous, unending, while Evil shall last. There are many battles in a war. We have won many; we have gained territory; we have large battalions on our side, as is seen by the vote. The Press is an ally. Ruthlessly it reports accidents due to drunken drivers; crimes against women and children committed because men were drunk; loss of life in fires caused through drunkenness; disruption of homes; murder and many more. The medical verdict is with us also. Alcoholism is declared a “Disease.” “Alcoholics Anonymous” testify to the truth of this. We are merely normal in our demand that the cause of this terrible disease shall be removed. It is possible to do it. A scientific age is the ally of Temperance. Statesmanship and world leadership are too exacting today to be entrusted to men with alcohol befuddled brains. The drunken scenes of which we read in the annals of history, when a minority of kings and lords governed men and women, ignorant serfs and slaves, cannot be allowed in thes6 scientific days when the fiat has gone forth for all men to read, “Alcohol is a poison which paralyses the higher centres of the brain, self-control, judgment and will-power, and paralysis begins with the first glass.” The people of today are thinking and able to judge their rulers, and to demand at least sobriety and clean living in those who rule over their affairs. When Prohibition is carried the Warfare will not end but will intensify. The defence forces willl require to be strengthened; Education in Temperance will be continued; law observance enforced and victory maintained at great cost. How is it to be done? I am convinced that we can only combat and defeat the forces of Evil on the Spiritual plane. When the Christian Church, and we are the Church, the body of believers, again becomes strong, spiritual, unified on the only basis of unity, “All one in Christ Jesus,” then we shall see the victory. It is time to wake up to reality. There is much loose talk about God being on our side. On one occasion, a man standing in the presence of Abraham Lincoln said: “I am so concerned that in this great enterprise in which we are engaged, that God be on our side.” Lincoln arose and said: “I am not at all concerned that God be on our side; the great burden of my

life is that I may always be on God's side."

What place does the Word of God hold in the heart and mind and life of the nation and of the individual today? Just as a physician seeks within the lx)dy of his patient for an ally to help him in the fight for life, so do we look in the body politic for an ally of strong spiritual and moral stamina to offset the temptations to indulge in the twin evils of drink and gambling, and to build up the forces which make for civic and national righteousness What do we find? A lamentable and growing Paganism. A very small minority of the population is within the membership of the Christian Church. The Prayer Meeting is almost extinct in some branches of the church. And vet, it is acknowledged that the Prayer Meeting is the Power House of the church! The Sabbath Day is flagrantly desecrated by multitudes of people Godlessness, disobedience, crime, drunkenness, gambling, infidelity, divorce, are more evident today than anyone can remember. There seems little restraint. Two world wars have not taught the people a l£sson.

We are here in this Convention because we know and have heeded the lesson. We have come apart from the busy normal duties of our everyday lives that together we might again seek God’s guidance and, in fellowship with Him and wfith each other, obtain strength and encouragement to go back to our Unions and seek to do the work better.

I was much impressed and encouraged bv reading in an Address by Dr. J. H. Baird, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in U.S.A., given at the Jubilee Convention there, the following reference to Frances Willard. He said:—

“The statue of Frances Wilfard, standing quietly in the rotunda of the Capitol in Washington, symbolises something profound the purity of our noble American womanhood, the conscience of the Nation, a silent threat to the designs of evil men.” What a wonderful thought we might dare to take from this. The conscience of the nation symbolised in the marble statue which commemorates the life and work of a good woman —is surely reflected in her living memorial The Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Worldwide. From early Bible days we are aware of such a conscience a Voice calling men and women to the right way, to the Higher Life in Jesus Christ, and that Voice comes through the infallible Word of God the Bible.

The Voice calls today, as of old, and in its message lies the only remedy for a sin-stricken w r orld:—

“If my people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from Mieir wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin. and will heal their land." fl Chron., 7:14. Jtsus says, “Ye must he born again.”

European Vote. Continuance. Per cent. State Purchase. Per cent. Prohibition. Per cent 1946 542,681 5402 202,664 3)18 259.162 25.8 1949 6.16,731 61.92 130,403 12.63 261,065 25.4 Maori (First time) 1949 23.M2 64.57 5.579 15.11 7,503 2032 Total 1949 660,573 62 1J5.9K2 12.3 268.568 25.2 Total Valid European Votes 1,028,199 Total Valid Votes - .... 1,065,123