REFUTATION OF THE DRINK TRADE'S MISREPRESENTATIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3023, 21 October 1908, Page 6

REFUTATION OF THE DRINK TRADE'S MISREPRESENTATIONS.

THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE LICENSING QUESTION. AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT QUOTED FROM THE GENERAL. (From the "War Cry," October 17th 1908). The Auckland files containing the articles "License or No-License" •ird "For Women Onlv," have just reached us at Melbourne Headquarters. This is a most unwarrantable use of the General's name by a certain section in New Zealand", in representing that General Booth favours continuance of the present system in preference to the changes proposed by those on the side of reform; such misrepresentations are further entirely against the constitution, regulations and principles of the Salvation Army. One of the foundation principles of the Army is direct opposition to the drink traffic. In fact, every Salvationist of whatever grade or rank has solemnly declared to abstain from the use of all intoxiI eating liquors in any shape or form, J except when specially ordered by the j doctor, and is also forbidden by the j Army Regulations from taking any part in their production, manufacture or sale. The "Orders and Regulations" for soldiers specially state that no person can become or continue a soldier who takes intoxicating liquor. There never has been any doubt to an unbiassed mind as to the General's attitude towards the drink traffic. .

' In "Orders and Regulations for , Field Officers," Part 5, Chapter 4, ' paragraph 8, the General says:— \ ■"Every soldier should be instructed on the evils of the use of intoxicat- , ing drink and of the traffic in it, and . shown the reasonableness and necessity of entirely abstaining from it. While not unduly exalting the ques- ' i;ion, every officer should show the 1 bearing of the subject on the safety of the soldiers and of their families, and of the salvation of the multitudes of souls." j In the London "War Cry" the 1 official organ of the Salvation Army, : dated February Bth, during the course of an Interview, the General's 1 views in regard to the subject of Prohibition are clearly stated: "It was high time Parliament looked upon the subject of the drink traffic," - remarked the General. "This ques- ' tion, which affects more closely ' than almost any other the social 1 happiness and welfare of the people, 1 had been practically neglected for years. I hope," he said, "Parlia- • ment will do something, and some- ' thing in the right direction." "What are your views as to the right direction?" we asked. "They are known all the world over. I AM FOR PROHIBITION!"! "Prohibition, General!" we exclaimed. ''Do you consider that 1 practicable in this country?" "Individually certainly and, given certain conditions, collectively also. I AM A PROHIBITIONIST. I prohibit the use of all intoxicating liquors in my house, and by the influence and teaching which I 'have brought to bear upon the Army throughout the world, I have succeeded in making hundreds of thousands follow my example. Every Salvationist is a total abstainer, and a sworn foe of drink and baneful drugs, and no one will charge us with being the worse for it—in fact, everywhere I go, my people are commended for the stand we have taken, and are held up as an object-lesson to other organisations. I hope that whatever is done in Parliament will tend to educate the people in this direction." "And what next, General?" "No measure will, lam sure, be acceptable to the people, unless it makes responsible plans for reducing the number of public-houses. It is clear that the extent of drunkenness is largely determined "by the proportion of drinking places. Something should be done also to prevent the multiplying of clubs, many of which are nothing more or less than secret public-houses. The conditions of registration should be made more stringent, and the regulations so tightened, that it will be next to impossible for the clubs, as aucb, to be abused. The Salvation Army has always been, is now, will for ever be against the drink traffic, lock, stock and barrel. It is its sworn opponent. Further, the Salvation Army has always fought, and will continue to fight, for the salvation of those who have been bitten or smitten by the cursed drink. Yes, the Army stands where it has always stood. Our cry is the all-comprehen-sive one of salvation, which refuses any narrow interpretation. Evils of all kinds we are against, not spasmodically, but 365 days in a year. All the years of our existence as an Army, we have never spoken with an uncertain sound, but gone to the public-houses, and, in the glare of the bar-lights, have spoken against j the traffic. We have written it down lin our periodicals, and then had the courage to sell those very papers in the hotel bars. We have always been outspoken, and shall be. No money was ever coined, or man yet born, lhat can gag or silence the Salvation Army's voice against the drink, or any other evil, until the devil's chains are broken, and humanity j goes free." j (Signed) ( THOS. McKIE, Commissioner for Australasia.