EDITOR’S LETTER BOX

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 7, 1 August 1948, Page 6

EDITOR’S LETTER BOX

The Editor, Dear Madam, — 1 am asked to find out why the “blood test” is not used in New Zealand as it is in several other countries and American States in all cases ot motor collisions where drunkenness i>> alleged. Surely it should not be difficult to move public opinion and demand the use of the test. Ask your Minister to bring up the matter at the next meeting of their body, to make enquiries of the doctors they know a-, to the attitude of the B.M.A. Consider that the large Youth Associations, such as Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, all teach abstinence from liquor for physical and social benefit All the Nonconformist Churches are officially on the side of Temperance, and the two great denominations that leave the question for individual decision have many of their clerg\ teaching it consistently. All schools are supposed to have regular lessonon its benefits. This test would simplify the work of both Police and Court Magistrates. It should not be too difficult, with all this weight, to rouse public opinion enough to bombard every M.P. to ask why the “blood test” is not used. Why not organise your own members to besiege the local newspaperwith letters to the Editor asking this question whenever a collision in which drinking is alleged or disputed as the cause? And why not try to find out yourselves more about what the “blood test” is? Ask for a discussion on it at your next meeting. Here is an old text: “And so they builded the walls of Jerusalem because THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK." Beile ° me, we can build up strong walls of jMic opinion and so do definite work for cur cause if each of us as part of the people has a mind to work. Yours faithfully, KATHARINE MERCER.