MOTHERS!

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 255, 18 September 1916, Page 15

MOTHERS!

(To the Editor.). Madam, —That was a fine piece of wording about the mothers of the world in your last number. But what about some “action’’? 1 appeal to the women, because they seem to be more sensible than men; at any rate, they do not seem to consider it a necessary part of their lives to go “boozing” at every “pub.” they come to. They also seem more sociable, more sp ritual, more economical, and yet think of something else besides money. I suppose all people should revere their mothers the mothers- in action as well as in words. Then why not give “the mothers” an indestructible place in the world? It would be a fair thing, good Christianity, tend to eliminate war, and good economics. 1 would insist that every mother be presented with an inalienable right to a satisfactory portion of the earth’s surface, sav, five acres, either by her husband dr by the State. Then she would indeed be a citizen of the world, with an inalienable right in the world. Just consider “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” Could those mothers train their sons to war on other mothers’ sons? —I am, etc., SAM. A. BROWNE. Clevedon, Auckland, Aug. 28, 1916.

(To the Editor.) Dear White Ribboners, — It has occurred to me that our representatives in Parliament are lac king in knowledge of the* true work of the W.C.T.C., and that it might be advisable that our I n On undertake to supply the members of the different electorates each with a copy, of the monthly publication of the “White Ribbon.” If the expense cannot be undertaken bv the Dominion Union from funds, would it not be- advisable to do so out of a levy on eac h Union, or the Mother Union of the electorate undertake to supnly copies. As there are no Unions in some electorates, and several Unions in others, a levy on all would enable the work to be more generally progressive, and thus the stronger may assist the' weaker to reach the goal to which we all aim. There is an impression that our petitions were signed hv Prohibitionists or White Ribboners, if not altogether, in a large degree. This we know is wrong, as even in this part of the electorate a number who signed for 6 o’clock closing would not give any support to the Prohibition platform at last election, and there were many abstainers and moderates who would gladly have signed, hut owing to the limited time, it waj> impossible

to reach all. One lady, when the petition was presented to her, at first refused, and then said, “Yes, 1 will sign it, for I do not believe the publicans have played the game since the war began.” The inconsistency of the Colpnei’s remarks to the* men in camp on the* drink question is rather remarkable, as compared with h s antagonism to 6 o’cloc k closing, and his advocacy for the “wet canteen.” His address was to the point in many respects, hut why not help the weaker ones, many of them mere hoys, by removing the temptation. If they can be helped and saved during those first months in camp from the first downward step, may they not have gained something in strength of character and mind to help the m to withstand tempiat.on? In talking over the* question with officers and non-coms., they all have s.iid, “If we had wet canteens, we should have no discipline.” These arc* the men who see and know the immediate effe t upon the men under their charge. Is it not also true* that most, if not all, the crimes in the camp are to he* traced to the influenc eof drink ? All do not appear in the Press. Can you put yourself in the* place of the poor mother who, after journeying to Wellington to say farewell to her boy, cannot see him because he is “in clink”? Can you realise* her feelings and sorrow ; her hoy’s grief and remorse, when he is taken on board the transport under escort of the guard, and without that loving look and parting sr.iile and kiss, which are such dear memories during the long, weary months of waiting and suspense? It may have been hi* first step on, the downward grade; hut would it not be better that the “cause" of the evil be removed? Is not the remorse of leaving a mother grieving under such conditions, among them the* uncertainty of meeting again in this life, when all night he explained, worse than meeting German bullets? It is seldom one hears of a young man leading .in impure life unless he has first been under drink's influence, keep the* liquor from our young men, arid we need not fear that he* will he a victim to its accompanying evil. What do the unfortunate women say? “If we did not drink, we could not Eve this life.” I- it not true* of a young man? Legislate* on the drink question, and we shall not need to legislate for venereal disc*.is,*. Many of our M.P.’s have sons in camp or at the Front. Have thev thought how the> rnav he* legislating for the* downfall of their own sons, and daughters too? Have they thought how main innocent men, by being obliged, in the eouise of their camp life, to conic* in contact with others not so pure as themselves, or hv the different vehicles of contagion that may exist, have become victims? These youths and men may be* the future husbands of our daughters, or our sons may be affected, and themselves be oblige d to live a single life, or cause unhealthy children to be born. Thus its effects are far-reach-ing.

It is selfishness that stands in our w .iv. because of interest ii the “Trade” can we, by still appealing to selfishness, because their own flesh and blood stand in danger, arouse some interest in this vital question. Let us remember the 6 o’clock closing petition, and the* treatment it received in the House, when ne*xt election comes. It is not for ideals only we are fighting, hut for our very existence as a people of purity and truth. Yours, for our sons* and daughters’ sakes, SOLDIER’S MOTHER.