THE PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2056, 18 November 1919, Page 1

THE PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

Tlie following letter has been forwarded to the clergy throughout the Dominion by the executive of the Prohibition Party: — ‘‘We ai’e now within about six weeks of the day upon which the issue of the great and prolonged struggle between the Christian forces of the Dominion and the Liquor Traffic will be definitely decided, and wo are filled with the deepest concern lest the opportunity which is being given us in the goodness of God should not be seized. So far as we can learn from reports sent in from the variuos districts of the Dominion, there is great apathy even on tjie part of earnest Christians. It is not quite clear whether this is due to the inevitable exhaustion which followed the prolonged struggle of last year, or to a wave of pessimism which lias produced grave doubts as to the possibility of victory. If it is the Jir.-t, we earnestly beg you to make one supreme effort to achieve victory, and we ask you to think for a moment what it would mean to your Dominion to be free for ever from the inlluence which has wrought such incalculable physical and moral and spiritual hurt to the life of our people. We ask you to picture the lads and girls of the Dominion growing up free from the templa lion and the menace of the evil which has blighted so many young lives; to think of homes which will be brightened and rc-made: of women and children who will be delivered from fear and poverty and shame; of men restored to manhood, to their wives and children, and of a

nation delivered for ever from one of its greatest evils.

We beseech you to determine now in (he presence of God that no sacrifice nor effort on your part could be too groat to achieve (his end. If it be (ho second, and, for any reason whatever you are doubting that success is possible, we wiint to say with the greatest possible emphasis, that after carefully estimating all the facts, wc are certain that victory can be secured if the Christian people of the Dominion will realise their obligation and make an earnest effort to discharge it. Last lime, with the great handicap of compensation, and the absence from home of so many of our soldiers, we secured 49 voles out of every hundred. One vole more per hundred would wipe out the deficiency, and anything beyond that means a definite victory, for wc. arc voting upon a. bare majority. Let me remind you that in 1911 there was a majority of no less (ban 54,1282 in favour of National Prohibition. The 1914 election, when this majority was changed into a minority, was altogether abnormal owing to war conditions. Since then the evidence of the injury wrought by drink during the war lias steadily accumulated, and there can hc-lit-tie doubt hut that a definite majority of thy people is opposed to the liquor traffic in any form whatever. If .that is so, then the splitting of the votes cannot defeat us. If the electors who are opposed to liquor will National Prohibition nothing can prevent our winning.

.Mirny of our soldiers under home influences have altered their attitude, and will vole with us. The removal of the compensation difficulty will help us considerably, and the* method of direct appeal to the elector, which we have adopted as the basis oC our organisation, is sure to convince many who have bnl'ore voted against us. We feel sure that none of you could seriously contemplate voting for State Purchase and Control, but if there should be any who have not fully considered it, we ask you to remember that State Control is no solution of the drink problem. It has simply aggravated it wherever tried. That the Christian men and'Women of this country should decide to enter into partnership in a business whieh has always, and in every form,, meant t ho ■degradation of the people, is unthinkable. ~ State Control cannot possibly be carried, and every vote cast for it is simply a vote for liquor. Neither can Continuance be carried if the Christian men and women of the - country recognise their obligation and try faithfully to discharge it. We appeal to you, therefore, in (he name of the Lord Christ, to recognise the greatness of our opportunity, and the sacred obligation of our stewardship for Him, We ask you not simuly to vote against Liquor on polling day. That is the very least service you can render. We ask you to pray for success, and because you pray for it, to work for it. If you will determine to win one vote each, victory i> assured. Will vou not do it ? 0