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CORRESPONDENCE.

TEMPERANCE. To the Editor. Sir,—l wish to thank you for publish-' ing in your paper the sermon on "Temperance" by Rev. A. H. C'olvile; and here I feel sure I am speaking for others as well as myself. I would especially, commend to your readers the last paragraph, beginning, "May it be true of us," etc., merely noting that the word "life" should be ''lift"—just a slip by the operator. But that is not all I have to say: I wish to call attention to that word "Temperance." It is the title of Mr. Colvile's sermon, and the application contained in that last paragraph quite bears out the true meaning of the word, and which 1 ask your leave to point out. "Temperance" is by ho many people looked on as moderation in the use of alcoholic drinks. Xow that is not the correct view for anyone who is properly informed as to the intoxicating (poisonous) quality in all alcoholic liquors. Tho ancient Greek, Xenophon, I think it was, said that Temperance was the moderate use of all things that are useful and beneficial, and the complete avoidance (total abstinence) of those things that are injurious, "such as intoxicating wine." In this the ancients and the moderns arc now in agreement: intoxicating drinks are injurious. Sir Thomas Clouston, M.D., when superintendent of the Morniugside Lunatic Asylum, Edinburgh, said: "It is certain that for every man in whom excessive drinking causes absolute insanity there are twenty in whom it injures the brain, blunts the moral sense, and lessens the capacity for work in lesser degrees." In this direction, "capacity for work," he is supported by Admiral Sir J. R. Jellicoe, who says: "As regards straight shooting it is everyone's experience that abstinence is necessary for efficiency. By careful , and prolonged tests the shooting efficiency of the men was proved to be 30 per cent, worse after the rum ration than before it." Here Clouston might again be quoted when he says, "It im- ' plies less expenditure of energy to crave, than to control." In this trite sentence lies the gist of the trouble with regard to alcohol and the drug habit in general: and it is here that the true meaning of "temperance" should be remembered. He points out that very many people entirely lack this high faculty of "control.'' To crave is easy, to "control" (true tent- ■ pcrance) is difficult; therefore, the wiser course is to avoid altogether those things which tend to create a craving. Again thanking you for publishing that sermon, mut hoping Mr. C'olvile, or some other minister, will take up the subject again,—l .an. etc.. GEO. 11. MAUNDER. THE XEW LABOR PARTY, To the Editor. Sir,—Tour Wellington correspondent reports a. meeting of this party, when its aims and principles' were explained as including nationalisation of industries and "oinmeree. Though 1 am got recognised

as a member of the party, nor as a thorough Socialist, yet my ideals are quite those expressed in that Social-De-mocratic platform. I would, however, warn the leaders that such great reforms must come about jlowly; and it is folly / to think to bring in these great changes .by a sweeping Labor vote. Further, I I would ask: How many of these leaders . loyally support such nationalised enterprises as we now have in this country? How many always burn State coal (when they can get it); or effect their ! insurances>of house, life or accident in the State offices; or use, when needed, the "Public Trust Office? I fancy many ; of those who advocate the wide Socialism would give many (to them) good reasons for using company coal, insuring in an ordinary insurance company or in one of the mutual associations, and pass by the Public Trust Office to give preference to a private trust. I fear there is too much Individualism underlying so much of this talk about Socialism. People talk Socialism but will not practise it, unless it immediately pays better than anything else. We can't help being Socialists at the Post Office or on the railways, and find such Socialism very convenient. Then why not extend it a little further in the directions above indicated; and that, too, before we talk so much about a great Socialistic .piogrammc? It would be far better to concentrate attention and energy in one direction in which we think that national supply or national service would be a benefit. That attained, the nexi advance would be easier.—l am, etc., REFORMER. . I ,

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19160718.2.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1916, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
747

CORRESPONDENCE. Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1916, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE. Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1916, Page 2

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