William Lyon Mackenzie King
Self-denial and self-discipline, however, will be recognized as the outstanding qualities of a good soldier.
The politician's promises of yesterday are the taxes of today.
Conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription.
Every hour of useful work is precious.
If the military might of Germany and Japan are ultimately to be crushed, the United Nations, one and all, must definitely and urgently strive toward a total war effort.
Until the control of the issue of currency and credit is restored to government and recognized as its most conspicuous and sacred responsibility, all talks of the sovereignty of Parliament and of democracy is idle and futile.
I really believe my greatest service is in the many unwise steps I prevent.
For one cause or another, it has become necessary to impose restrictions upon the use of many commodities, including not a few of the necessities of life.
Temperance is essential, if the services of men and women are to be employed to the best and most useful effect according, to the physical capacity and ability of each. Nothing less will assure a total effort.
Far more has been accomplished for the welfare and progress of mankind by preventing bad actions than by doing good ones.
There can be little doubt that absence from work, and inefficient work, are frequently due to intemperance.
No one will deny that the excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic beverages would do more than any other single factor to make impossible a total war effort.
Once a nation parts with the control of its credit, it matters not who makes the laws.
Usury once in control will wreck the nation.
Fortunately, the Canadian people in all their habits, are essentially a temperate people.
From the outset of the war, the Canadian people have clearly shown that it is their desire to help in every way to make Canada's war effort as effective as possible.
When gasoline and rubber are rationed, electric power and transport facilities are becoming increasingly scarce, and manpower shortages are developing, it is difficult for people to understand their increased use for other than the most vital needs of war.
Government, in the last analysis, is organized opinion. Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government.
Nor do we begin to have a clear appreciation of what the increase in consumption of alcoholic beverages in wartime means in increased risk, and in loss of efficiency to the fighting and working forces of the country.
Just when we most need to be clearheaded, in order to face the hard facts before us, there is all too frequently a very real inclination to give way to dangerous tendencies merely as an escape from realities.
Let it be remembered, too, that at a time of war, nearly every one is under great strain.
The increased consumption of alcoholic beverages in Canada since the outbreak of war is one evidence of this.
Since the outbreak of war, there has been in our country a steady increase in the consumption of spirits, wine and beer. It is estimated that in dollar volume, the annual outlay is now practically double what it was before the war.
Each year, therefore, a dollar spent on alcoholic beverages has purchased a smaller quantity.
In the twelve months immediately preceding the outbreak; of war, the quantity of spirits, both domestic and imported released for sale in Canada, amounted to over three and a half million proof gallons.
Workers in industry are the partners in war of the fighting forces.
I would not wish to imply that most industrial accidents are due to intemperance. But, certainly, temperance has never failed to reduce their number.
As to the advantages of temperance in the training of the armed forces and of its benefits to the members of the forces themselves, there can be no doubt in the world.
If I am outspoken of the dangers of intemperance to members of our armed forces, it is because we are all especially concerned for the welfare of those who are risking their lives in the cause of freedom.
The anxiety of most parents in seeing their sons and daughters enlist does not lie only in the fear of the physical dangers they may encounter.
The greatly increased consumption of alcoholic beverages is very largely a direct result of the increased purchasing power created by wartime expenditures.
On behalf of the federal government, I wish now publicly to appeal to the provinces to lend their co-operation in furthering our country's war effort by effecting at as early a date as may be possible this much needed restriction.
Few would venture to deny the advantages of temperance in increasing the efficiency of a nation at war.
A true man does not only stand up for himself, he stands up for those that do not have the ability to.Collection: Men
From the outset of the war, the Canadian people have clearly shown that it is their desire to help in every way to make Canadas war effort as effective as possible.Collection: War
The people of Canada do not wish as a result of mass immigration to make a fundamental alteration in the character of our population. Large scale immigration from the Orient would change the fundamental composition of the Canadian population.Collection: Character
I believed the people had a true instinct in most matters of government when left alone. That they were not swayed, as specially favoured individuals were, by personal interest, but rather by a sense of what best served the common good. That they recognized the truth when it was put before them, and that a leader can guide so long as he kept to the right lines. I did not think it was a mark of leadership to try to make the people do what one wanted them to do.Collection: Thinking
I've always found that you can control people better if you don't see too much of them.Collection: People
When it comes to politics, one has to do as one at sea with a sailing ship, reach one's course having regard to prevailing winds.Collection: Wind