PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS AT PUBLIC RECEPTION

White Ribbon, Volume 29, Issue 9, 1 May 1958, Page 8

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS AT PUBLIC RECEPTION

by Mn C. Toomer

We are living in dangerous davs, as well as davs of unheard of marvels and opportunities Knowledge has increased, but man seems bent on using knowledge to destroy himself and the world in which he lives We have been told by Russia,

according to the Press, that carelessness could embroil us in a mad annihilation When UfC alsc read per media of the newspapers that a man trained to tow H bombs appears in Court on a charge of drunkencss gy| are brought face to face with the irresponsibility of man. It is well for us to awaken and face the problem within our own country with regard to excessive indulgence in alcoholic liquor. Despite the pleading < t the Traffic Department, car drivers still endanger human live through imbibing while in charge of motor vehicles. Ten ounces of alcohol in a driver's body increases his chances of being involved in an accident more than ten tuneProfessor E. M. Jellinek, Secretary-General of the International Institute for Research into problems of Alcohol, has considered New Zealand's \ital statistics and has estimated that, in 1950, when 31 males and 2i females died from cirrhosis of the liver, the numbei of alcoholics with health com plications was approximately 11,000. This does not include 8,000 to IO.iKK) persons who could be cla I drinker-.

\s though that were not enough, this eminent world authority added that it was necessary to realise that only 20 per cent, of alcoholics appear in the nation's statistics, the remainder are so-called "protected alcoholics", protected by or from publicity by family, doctor, or friends. It may come as a surprise to mar.y to learn that 75 per cent, of the world's population do not drink, the 25 per cent who do, are to be found mostly in the Western world, the so-called Christian world. This should give us much food for thought. Moslems and devout Bhuddists are teetotal It is a pity that those win profess to follow the Divine Sou of God have a much lower standard with • <l to intemperance. It may be of interest to mention the results of a recently conducted Gallup Poll taken in Christchurch by Dr SchafTenberg, Secretary of the International Congress on Alcoholism Dr SchafTenberg was here on behalf of his society It was found that 83 per cent of men drank, while 17 per cent were non-drinkers. One of the questions asked was, "Where did the person have the first drink ' 44 per cent, of the males answered in the flotel Bar. while 34 per cent of women answered in an Hotel Bar When questioned, 9° per cent, of women said thev drank because of social pressure When asked if liquor was liked. the majoritv of men answered "yes", hut the women answered "no". Dr SchafTenberg who conducted this poll remarked that those who stated thev liked liquor would later become the nation's addicts.

Perhaps this nation is already being called into account. An increased Drink Bill. /27.252.408. has, on the adverse ledger side, increased crime, increased road Natalities and injuries, increased admissions to Mental Hospitals, increased juvenile offences, increased work for Welfare Officers, increased the Police Force

Tt is interesting and challenging to know that F.gvpt is to put throueh legislation to prohibit the sale of alcoholic liquor, while adding that exemption is to be made for the "European ponubtion". Saudi Arabia is a teetotal state, and Tndia bv next vear will also be teetotal. We could take stock of the Western world One wonders why there is not a more strident warning

from the Churches. Jt i* good to know, however, that, in some CM€I the Church voice IS 110 l entirely silent The I'resident of the Methodist Church <>t Australia attacks the Government there, lor allowing a brewery to he huilt in Fiji, and for taking away the clause that safeguarded FijiaUS troin the exploits <>t the Liquor Trade Let US never lorget that tins commodity i> made not for any nati id, hut tor MONEY. The impudent question of "Am i my brother's keeper:' is uitly reiterated by the Trade, no matter what Nation in which it operates. It ii surprising thai intelligent men and './omen can DC 10 blindfolded We, in New Zealand, ihould blush to know that to n*> the very unhappy "dishonour" in being the world's foremost drinkers ol Scotch Whisk) In one of Wellington's Beer Gardens last Easter the patrons included 162 women and M children 1 would like to state again that the quickest way to rum a nation is to teach the women to drink The prevailing "cocktail habit" has undermined the God-honouring and God-fearing structure that New Zealand's forbears built Let IIS remember before it b too late, that "God i| not mocked, whatsoever a man (or a Nation) sow that shall it also reap" The reaping has begun

The following donations t" The White Ribbon" funds are gratefully acknowledged: Wellington District W (S' t Mrs Wells 6d ; Mrs J. Andrews 2 -; Mr> Smith £1 ; Mr> ( ate V-; Mrs Chesswas MV-s Mrs Ttnyard £1; Mr I). C Mason £4.

A. D. Grigg, Business Man 31/3/58