“White Ribbon Day"

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 5, 1 June 1947, Page 1

“White Ribbon Day"

In “Fifty Golden Years,”* that excellent account of the life and work of the VV.C.T. U. in New Zealand, prepared by our beloved and mourned Mrs. f’erynian, we are told that at one time in its history, the circulation of the N.Z. official organ was 4,900. It dropped irom this to 3,600 during the slump juriod, but, with an optimism worthy of a Utter resjionse, Mrs. Penman wrote: “But the tide has turned, and we cxjiect our Jubilee enthusiasm will carry u> beyond its former circulation.” It is a matter for concern that t!;l. joyful anticipation is still unrealised. One is led to consider the point of ‘The White Ribbon's” importance, and to ask whether it has, or ever had, any right to rank as a necessary, helpful, interesting part of the equipment of the many women who are fighting on the side of rem|>e*ance and right in every department of life. What purj»ose has it served? Apart from its fundamental purjiose of keeping all parts of the work and organisation before us, and supplying necessary information on current problems; has it had any general value? We feel that it has. It is a small publication, and does lot arrest the attention of the casual observer because of any startling display of colour or general apjiearance. Yet, in the years now past, it has contained an absolute wealth of information on all kinds of topics incidental to our national and civic life. The research, the hard work, and the intense zeal and energy by which all this has been made available to on.* leaders can never be fully realised. It has had a unique value in some respects, because of its acceptance of a responsibility regarding the great and awful evils of Strong Drink, Gambling, Impurity, and irreligion generally. Even Church periodicals cannot always speak with the clear voice that rings out from our pages. The value to social workers of so much that has apj>eared cannot be

estimated. It is here that we feel that our special claim is justified,—our claim to be regarded as the producers of something of genuine, constructive

material for those who “would be building” the new temples of truth, of virtue, and of honour that our time demands. Much more could be added. Enough has teen said, however, to give us a new sense of our duty in regard to “The W hite Ribbon." Those who in the past have striven to make it all that it should be, leaving a splendid trad.tion for o liers to work from, would be glad if they could see some worthy result for tl eir labours, as would those who still carry the load. How about making a flesh, eager effort to extend our sphere ol usefulness by gaining new subscribers? Apart from all questions of financial a lvantage c contingent upon a larger circulation, the idea of -viuening the circle o' those who will keep themselves in touch with our great movement, and whose influence will i* felt unfailingly, should give us an incentive to work tor the attainment of that peak circulation of almost 5,000 before the end oi the present year.