Preface

This book endeavours to record the outstanding events in the long struggle. Unfortunately documentary evidence in regard to the early days is scarce. But happily there are those still with us whose personal association with the early activities of the New Zealand Alliance and knowledge of developments during the last half-century enable us to compile a substantially accurate and interesting story of temperance progress. It may contain errors and fail to mention events and personalities that have every right to be included. We can but invite the reader's co-operation to remedy any such errors or omissions if a second edition is called for.

Only by actually attempting to compile such a work as this can one come to a realization of the extraordinary difficulties. Nevertheless, it is felt that this book places for the first time in the hands of readers, a coherent and chronologically arranged account of an inspiring effort carried on in a country notable for advanced social experiments.

Our sincerest thanks are due to the authors of the various chapters for their devoted voluntary work, and to those who by furnishing material, photographs, and personal data, have made the compilation of the entire work possible. It is hoped that the general reader will find interest and inspiration in these pages, and that the student of temperance reform will welcome it as a convenient reference work.