The White Ribbon. "For God, and Home, and Humanity" WELLINGTON, MAY 1, 1947. NEWS FROM FAR AWAY

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 4, 1 May 1947, Page 4

The White Ribbon. "For God, and Home, and Humanity" WELLINGTON, MAY 1, 1947. NEWS FROM FAR AWAY

OUR GERMAN SISTERS Aproj«os of tlit* suggestion made in Mrs. Mackie’s “Talk” on her Peace Ktl>ort, given at Convention, and appearing on the front page of this issue that we should try to know the people of other lands we publish here a copy of a paragraph from the “Bulletin” as liemg one likely to help us to think with sympathy and Christian charity of those whose sufferings have been terrible, even though they were our “enemies.” “This letter comes from Frau Fischer of Bremen, Germany. Everything she owned in the world is lost. She Nays it is difficult to interest l>cople in anything if they are hungry. Continuing, she says: '

“It is my aim to build our German W.C.T.U. again. More than 30 local unions were lost, and more than 1,300 members fr<>*t there died on the streets last winter. This was in East Germany. In January 1 Ixgan to gather together the members in British and American /ones. I thought, and still think, the practical work in our alcohol free houses, as well as in factories for frui: juices has given us popularity ami shelter against the Nazis, but will also be able to give us !>est possibilities m the future. Our plans for rebuilding and for organising are greatly hindered by lack of everything, food and coal, and inability to secure workmen.

As long as God gives us life we will do our duty for Him and home ard every land. We beg of you do not lx* disap|Hjiiitcd if we cannot work as well as we would like to, because we are rather feeble, and our frailty is mounting from month to month, even from week to week.” This letter was received at World Secretary’s Office in reply to one sent from there.

FROM NEW SOUTH WALES No more heartening news could have been received than that of the great triumph described in the following extract from the Australian Temjxrance Advocate: — “On Saturday, February 15th, the people of New South Wales declared themselves concerning the closing hour fur hotels in that State. The hours submitted were 6,9, and 10 p.m. They gave a thumping verdict for 6 o’clock closing. This decision does crtd ; » to the good sense of the jxople, and consequently, it is not surprising. The New South W ales judgment is an expression of the sanity of mind of the average Australian, who is neither a wowser nor a fool. Being a man of ordinary intelligence, he knows that an increase in hours for drinking would mean that more drink would be sold, and in consequence more drunkenness would prevail. Apparently the New South Wales elector does not want any more oi that indecency sprawling over the State. Of course, the barons of the breweries know these things, but, not being particularly sensitive about public decency, they were willing and prepared to spend large sums of money to gam an extension of hours for sale, Ixlieving that what is extended this year would be recovered next year if tlie extended time for the sale ot liquor were allowed. Their ho|** was an hyiwthesis: the supposition did not succeed.

FROM AMERICA Arrcstin<) Statement by R. .V I.ufkin. "Lassitude within the alcoholic beverage industry, plus the ambitious campaigning of Drys, will return Prohibition to > the United States within from four to six years.” Mr. Kolxrt S. Lufkin, secretary of the National Tavery A sociation and president of the Massachusetts Retail Liquor Dealers’ Board of Trade, made the alxive

startling statement before a meeting ot the Maryland Retail Liquor Dealers Association held at Alcazar, Baltimt In April, the same speaker predicted the return of Prohibition within six t< eight years. He now says:— “After travelling thousands of miles around the country on behalf of the liquor industry since reixal —and 1 have travelled alxiut 34,000 miles since the fir>t of January, 1 have moved up the arrival of Prohibition from eight to six years, to SIX to FOUR years.” No wonder the industry seeks to extend its sphere of influence.