Temperance Organizations

It was only to be expected that the earliest combined efforts to combat the liquor evil should page 44 be local and sporadic. Mention has already been made of the formation of Total Abstinence Societies in various places, and also Bands of Hope. They did good work locally, but there was no general organization to bind them together. There is still nothing in the shape of a Dominion Total Abstinence Union or a Dominion Band of Hope Union. Such Unions as exist are at most only provincial. The time came, however, when branches of temperance organizations in other lands were transplanted to New Zealand. The transplanting took place at various periods and in various localities. As typical of the stages of progress in the transplanting of these organizations, it is instructive to note the record covering Dunedin.

In the year 1864 the first Temperance Society was founded in Dunedin. This was a Band of Hope, which was largely attended and was very successful. Mr. Thomas Morris was organizer and superintendent.

In 1871, a branch of the Order of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance was established by Mr. R. N. Adams. Mr. J. I. Adams, father of Messrs. R. N., J. A. D., and A. S. Adams, was an active member of this society.

In 1872, under a charter from the Grand Lodge of England, Mr. Robert Greig instituted the Good Templar Order in Dundin, by opening Pioneer Lodge No. 2, Mr. J. W. Jago being the first Chief Templar.

In 1874 a branch of the Rechabite Order was founded by Mr. Peter Rankin and Mr. George Watson. In later years Mr. David Gain and Mr. Richard Farrant were very active members.

It has been possible to publish the foregoing items of information through the kindness of Mr. page 45 D. C. Cameron of Dunedin, who was elected Grand Secretary of the I.O.G.T. in 1875, and retained that office for thirty-four years. It is pleasing to be able also to add that Mrs. D. C. Cameron, who attended the Grand Lodge in Dunedin in 1875, was for forty years active in temperance work, especially among the children.

All the above named organizations have continued to render good service, as will be found more fully described in the special articles devoted to them elsewhere in the present volume. It remains to be said here that of all the societies mentioned it was the Good Templar Order that at the outset was the most popular and successful. It spread throughout the country almost with the swiftness of a prairle fire. It became practically the Aaron's rod that swallowed up all other rods. It drew into its membership ministers of nearly all denominations, lawyers, journalists, merchants and large numbers of the working class. It became the means of rescuing a great many people from the grip of intemperance, and of diffusing a sentiment in favour of total abstinence that has had far-reaching results. Its foundation principle, ‘Total Abstinence for the individual and Prohibition for the State,’ has enabled it to co-operate with all departments of service in the Anti-Liquor Campaign.