PRESIDENT'S LETTER.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 254, 18 August 1916, Page 2

PRESIDENT'S LETTER.

August 41 h, 1916. My Deal Comrades, — When the* Parliament turned down the petition for early closing, it was suggested to me that the* Unions might now re*st on their oars. To do that would be* fatal. We ought to follow the example of the old Crusaders, who were the founders of our organisation, and “get to our knees.” The prayers that believe and plead the promises were never more needed than at this crisis. Parliament L what we make it, and if we put men into the House who vote in opposition to our prayers, it is our own fault, and our only remedy is to see to it that those who voted against us are not re-elected. If a referendum had been taken, the* people undoubtedly would have carried some restriction, hut in spite of the example of the* King and the* late Lord Kitchener, and the statement of Lloyd George that “the brewer’s waggon was blocking the ammunition van,” and the testimony of Russia to the value of Prohibition, and the unanimity of opinion that abstinence favours efficiency and economy, the Government voted against the petition of over 100,000 people, including a great many who are not prohibitionists, but realise that i? is necessary to curtail the power of a trade that causes such universal wreckage. Let all our members take note, and forget not the men who opposed our plea for early closing. I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Unions who worked so hard for the patriotic effort. W’e hope there will be ,£ISOO before the fund closes. W ith loving greetings to all. RACHF.L LON, Dominion President.