KING COUNTRY OUTLOOK

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 4, 1 May 1949, Page 9

KING COUNTRY OUTLOOK

H,, the onlyoktr, who sees most of K there is something really Hrihle and terrifying in the spectacle being presented by the attitude Hinany newspapers, and many EuroHLn inhabitants, towards the outcome H tt truly magnificent effort to preJH\c the Solemn Pact in the King Hmtrv. It is enough to make angels K [. to note the persistent recurrence ■jibes and belittlements of the desire ■ keep faith with the Maoris (which H| fives in the hearts and consciences ■ thousands of Pakehas) with which lelding articles are besprinkled. The H/ing upon the slightest opportunity H predicting a reversal of the verdict Hen in March would be amusing if it 2rc not also tragic. That the public should deliberately address it■t to the task of so influencing lioth Hces ui the direction of voting against H Pact, and should lend it* pages Hards the forcing of the drink evil f, people wfcosc sires desired that eir land should never have the drink ■ < stablished in their midst, is a Sbng for which every Britisher should Ht l deep shame. ■it has happened at times in the hisHf\ of the British Empire, that things ■\e been done which have later been Henly admitted to be the wrong use H power and prestige. We all know H them; and they need not here be itemized. But bow far-rcacbing some H them have been, and bow gladly Icy would have been wiped off the record of British Administration, i* a H)i\ worth knowing. If, in response I the propaganda being circulated, lc decision, for which we devoutly lank God, should ever be reversed, ■ blot of blackest hue will adorn the lory of our dealings with the race I whom we derived our glorious Ind. How dare we seek to so inliencc the minds of these people as to Irn them from a right to a wrong lew of this recognised evil? Ihe Ihtlety of the methods used shows ■at the whole business is a very Ire fully engineered one. Ihe power | suggestion and the effect of per* I stent repetition were never more illy recognised by Hitler and Mnsso* Bin than they are in this matter by lie opposers of temperance reform Bn<i the lords of the liquor trade, alT<> keep our Maori friends clear in la ir minds, and our European friends Inn m their allegiance, in face of all Hn planned determination to underline the influence of past effort and ■resent high purpose, should be our |reat objective. At every point wc liould be prepared to show’ an unites I conviction that a great danger Imatens, and that God is on the side Hf those who would defend their land Bud their people from it. The battle is Inc of minds. If the Trade can only’ licceed in its plan of breaking down Instance to its demands through the I leans outlined above, its victory will e sure and <le\astatmu Oar iitcraIm, our words, our prayers will all |e needed to consolidate our victory, |> hardly won. ■ THE EDITOR.