THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2530, 27 September 1888, Page 2

THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

Great energy is being displayed by the leaders in the cause of temperance to suppress the national vice of the Anglo-Saxon race. In this work a very considerable part is taken by women, who devote great pains and perseverance to accomplish a retonn in the habits of the people upon whom terrible evils and misery ate produced by tlie curse of intemperance. In the United States the imaiense good performed by American women in this crusade can scarcely be calculated, and itisfrom that country that an ••sdditionni movement has originated. Miss Willaril, President of the American Woman's Christian Temper-am:-! Union, has organised what is called '"The World's Petition," to be signed by women in every civilised country and which is to be presented to every Government, praying for a total prohibition of the liquor traffic. Branches of this Union were establised in these colonies a few years ago, and Mrs T. G. Carr, now in Hamilton, is a vice president of that body. She has copies of the petition for signature in the Waikato. The following is its text Honoured rulers, representatives, and brothers, — We, your petitioners, although belonging to the physically weaker sex, are strong of heart to love our homes, our native land, and the world's family of nations. Wo know that clear brains and pure hearts make honest lives and happy homes, and that by these the nations pros per, and the time is brought nearer when the world shall be at peace. We know that indulgence in alcohol and opium and in other vices which disgrace our social life, makes misery for all the world, and most of all for us and for our children. We know that stimulants and opiates are sold under legal guarantees which make the Governments partners in the traffic, by accepting as revenue a portion of the profits, and we know with shame that they are often forced by treaty upon populations either ignorant or unwilling. We know that tho law might do much now left undone to raise the moral tone of society and render vice difficult. We have no power to prevent these great iniquities beneath which the whole world groans, but you have power to redeem the honour of the nations from an indefensible complicity. We therefore come to you with the united voices of representative women of every land, beseeching you tu raise the standard ef the law to that of Christian morals : to strip away the safeguards and sanctions of the State from the drink traffic and the opium trade, and to protect our homes by the total prohibition of these curses of civilisation throughout all the territory over which your Government extends."