The Washington times., 1929-05-01
MOVEMENT
IS HEADED
BY YOUNG
VOTERS


For the first time in 81 years
prohibition will be a definite
issue in the British general
election on May 30.
Not since 1892, when ''1ocal veto"
became an active interest in poll
tics and nearly caused the defeat
of William Ewart Gladstone and
the Liberal party, has this sharply
cut issue occurred.
On this occasion, for the first
time, all temperance parties ara
united. Their policy is a simple one.
Run By Young Voters
They will concentrate on divisions
which are held by a small or me-
dium majority. Their pledged
voters, irrespective OF party alle-
glance, will then vote solidly for
the candidate favorable to their
cause.
This campaign Is being run by
what is known af 1.-The active ser.
vice movement"
This movement, instituted and
backed mainly by the free churches
of Britain and manned almost en-
tirely by the new voters"-those
young men and women who have
Just turned 81 and who have never
voted before-will present three
point program" to every candidate.
Each will be asked:
Pledges for Candidates
1. If elected will you support a
measure to secure public control of
the supply of intoxicating liquor in
clubs by means of an annual per.
NIT or license?
2. Will you support a local option
measure for England and Wales in
cluding an option of mo license"
3. Will you support a measure for
the Sunday closing Of liquor bars?
THE Conservative parry has al.
the heads Of the three political
parties in Britain and their gen.
eral attitude can be Judged by the
replies received by them.
Baldwin Negative
Premier Stanley Baldwin in.
structed his secretary to reply:
THE Conservative party has al
ways regarded individual liberty as
one of the most valuable assets of
the English character much
as we desire to see the evils cons
nected with the intemperate use
of alcohol disappear, We believe
that such a result cannot be brought
about by the proposals which are
put forward in your memorial with
out grave disadvantages"
Macdonald Sympathetic "a
j. Ramsay Macdonald, leader OF
L. LII nNa+Nr 3RN [Nsf0
personal letter, said:
"I welcome with all my heart the
interest which the signatories show
in the temperance movement. Last
autumn the labor party declared
for a royal commission to inquire
into the whole problem. The COM
mission would be appointed 1r1-
mediately If q labor government
were in power"
Sir Herbert Samuel, replying on
behalf of the Liberal party, said:
"Our attitude is that the present
national drink bill represents an
unproductive and wastrel expendi-
ture by the community which is
indefensible in the existing eco=
nomic situation and inimical to the
health and efficiency Of many
of the consumers. ~
Liberals For Revision
at is necessary that the system
whereby the sale and distribution
Of alcohol is regulated, should be
revised and improved"
The net result Of the replies Is
that the Labor and Liberal parties
are prepared to legislate on the
question Of, at any rate, a modi-
fled form of prohibition, but the
Conservative party will remain
conservative. =
"Our new movement, in effect.
originates from the youth Of the
churches" the Rev. Henry Carter.
secretary Of the Wesleyan Metho.
dist Social Department, told Inter
national News Service.
During the war we lost what
was equivalent to practically a gen.
Grafton of active church workers.
But that lost ground has now been
regained, and we believe that we
have the great bulk Of the youth
of the country on our side.
Depends on Youth
"This generation thinks out things
for itself It does not spend itself
on mere enthusiasm But it acts
with solid deliberation and deter
mination. And we are certain it Is
on the side of right. Few things
commend themselves so much to 1t
as the futile waste on alcohol.
"At the coming election there
will be nearly 100000 new voters
of both sexes between the ages Of
81 and go, mainly voting for the
first time. We believe that their
>,otes will lead toward improved
social conditions and reform. They
will represent 80 per cent of the
electorate and their votes may
easily decide this fateful election"