28 JUNE 1919, Page 13

THE STRENGTH OF BRITAIN MOVEMENT.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

Sta.—At the International Conference on Alcoholism, repre- senting twelve countries, held during the sittings of the Paris Peace Congress, I had the honour, with Dr. C. W. Saleeby, F.R.S.E., and Mrs. Wakefield Richardson, of representing the Strength of Britain Movement. I presented our record of work at the session (presided over by M. Emil Vanffervelde, Belgian Minister of Justice) relating to war-time measures for curbing the liquor traffic. This record refers to the Conference of business men and others, called by the editor of the Spectator in January, 1916, which led to the inception of the movement.

May I at this juncture be allowed to thank those readers of the Spectator who have contributed towards the A:30,000 which we have expended in our great Educational Publicity Campaign by means of London and provincial demonstrations, newspaper advertisements, cartoons, plgbiscites, posters, and the publica- tion of Defeat or Victory1 and other booklets?

The Committee feel that though absolute Prohibition was not attained, yet the diminution of the pre-war output of beer to one-third and of spirits to one-half, has so effectively increased the efficiency of the nation and assisted the proper conduct of the war that the effort was well worth all the time, energy, and money expended. In order to present a clear

balance-sheet in July—the close of our financial year—we have lately been asking our friends for .81,000, and I hope I may be once again permitted the hospitality of your columns to invite the readers of the Spectator, who did so much in the early days, to take a part in this Peace Thankoffering.—I am.

Hon. Treasurer, Strength of Britain Movement. Empire House, 175 Piccadilly, W. 1.