THE DRINK EVIL: AN APPEAL FROM Ili DIA.
[To Tag EDITOR or Tee. "Bemuse:L-1
Sia,—At a meeting of the-Canadian Presbyterian Mission Staff in Central India a Committee was asked to write to you en -Britain's
attitude towards the Liquor Traffic. We admire your position and efforts in the matter, and we are grateful thatoometisiag is being done by Government to curtail the evil. But we are astonished and distressed that what the Premier has declared to be the Empire's greatest enemy in the war is still sheltered within oils citadel. And through you we would plead, as fellow-subjects, with the people of our'Mother Country. That the present leaders of Government, who have no strongly declared against the traffic, have not fully carried out their expressed convictions, notwith- standing all the support they have received from publications and petitions, we can understand only by supposing that Parliament does not enable them to do what they know to be of so momentous importance for the Empire and the world, and what our beloved King and the leaders of the Army and Navy have urged by word and example. That brings the responsibility to the electors, and also to all who can influence the Peers, both ley and clerical—for it is muttered, here in India, that it is not only the laymen whose habits and vested interests stand iu the way. Some des" the people will hold them to account.
We would also plead as Canadians. Whatever Canada Ens done in the war, she would have done still more but for this evil. She has tried Prohibition and proved its benefits. The Canadian Government prohibited alcohol in camps and on their confines. Yet, as soon as our troops reached England, this prohibition was scoffingly overruled. The result was that Irma who hoped to conquer the Germans were overcome by liquor and its sister harpy. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians indignantly resented Hai treatment. Though their intense loyalty prevented their saying all they felt, their consciences checked their impulse toward encouraging their sons and brothers to enlist. All immense petition of protest was sent by mothers and wives to tire Premier of Canada, in which are these words :— " We do not believe that our King will refuse the aid of Canada's sons' our appreciate slur patriotic efforts less, if you keep faith with us and make it known to his Ministers and Commanders that our boys are sent on the one condition that intoxicating liquors shall be prohibited in their ranks."
Has the condition been fulfilled? When this war is over, bow will the Dominions beyond the seas, which 'helped to win it, regard the fact that the control of the Empire is so largely in the hands of those who are themselves so bewilderingly controlled by the liquor interests?
Lestly, let us plead as missionaries in India. As suck we are doing much to promote that quietness and confidence, that loyal truet and admiration, which are the strength of the Empire in India. But Britain's attitude in this matter, as contrasted with that of all her Allies, weakens our hands and puts us to shame among. peoples most of whom, except the lowest, are religiously opposed to liquor-drinking. On every ground we entreat Peers end Coinemners, clergy and laity, to pat an end to this and kindred national sins which are holding back our Empire from victory and 'peace.—On behalf of the Committee, we are, Sir,
J. Duns Camemse, D.D, B. C. Omveare M.D. Canadian Presbyterian Mission, Butlam, Central /ndia.
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