14

The steps of Trinity United and the WCTU.
1920
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
TEXT ATTACHMENT


15

The Womens Christian Temperance Union ( WCTU ) was on of many temperance groups formed in the late 1800s. They pressured political leaders to ban all alcoholic beverages.

Today the are meeting at Trinity United Church.
( Prohibition in Canada: 1919-1930 )

16

Lily introduces WCTU President Blanche Keddy.
1920
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


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Friends, Children, if I could have your attention please. At this time it is my pleasure to introduce the President of the Mahone Bay Branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Mrs. Blanche Keddy.

18

Blanche Keddy speaks to the town on behalf of the WCTU.
1920
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


19

Thank you, Mrs. Veinot. Ladies and Gentlemen, we hear stories daily of loved ones who have fallen victim to drink. And what a long fall it is, with ruination of health and spirit waiting at the bottom. Just this week, one of our neighbours, a fine upstanding member of this communitiy... succumbed.

He was out mowing his hay field when he saw something shiny, lying by a fence post. It was a bottle of rum. This poor farmer, husband and father, couldn't resist the temptation. By the time he staggered home, he was so inebriated that his wife thought he was having a heart attack. She called the doctor, who rushed right over, and began treating his patient for heart trouble... until he smelled the man's breath. The doctor couldn't say who was more cut, the man, or the hayfield.

20

Blanche continues her speech.
1920
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


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Apparently, the night before this sorry episode, Joe Turner had been on the run from the police and had deposited bottles of rum behind each post along the property line. I had this directly from Constable Mader, ( who should have locked up this public menace long ago ). And so, the laws must be strengthened!

22

Blanche concludes her speech.
1920
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


23

As you may know, those wishy-washy politicians in Ottawa are caving in to the big distillery interests and are planning to end the Prohibition. They say the attitudes of Canadians have changed. Have they? I say Hogwash. What do you say?

24

The crowd responds to Blanche's speech.
1920
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


25

Hogwash!

26

The WCTU sing a hymn to close their meeting.
1920
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
TEXT ATTACHMENT


27

Prohibition ended in 1930 with the government setting up federal distributors for the selling of alcohol and the collecting of appropriate taxes.