Button badge, Prohibition
Object detail
Description
Obv: "Prohibition the Nation's Cure for the Nation's Curse" Rev: Pin
Classification
NUMISMATICS (MEDALS AND OTHER) Badges Civil button badge
Measurements
22.5mm
Media/Materials description
printed tin; white on grey
History and use
This badge was produced by one of the many temperance groups active in Australia from the 1880s. The temperance groups gained strength during World War 1, arguing alcohol weakened soldiers’ and others’ physical and mental capacity to fight the war, and also used precious resources such as grain and sugar that could be directed to better uses. It was also argued that the money saved if alcohol was prohibited would pay a country’s war debt.
The temperance groups also blamed liquor for soldiers’ bad behaviour at home and overseas, and for exacerbating the physical and mental disorders suffered by those who returned.
The temperance movement was powerful and despite considerable public opposition, across Australia various pieces of legislation were introduced, designed to control alcohol consumption. Immortalised as the six o’clock swill, early closing was a favourite of organisations such as the Womens Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Lobbying for early closing had begun before the War, but its proponents argued it was even more important during the War to ‘protect the men in uniform and those they leave behind’. Some States introduced it as early as 1916 and Queensland also passed early closing legislation that came into effect in 1923 (although the pubs closed at 8 o’clock rather than 6 o’clock).
The temperance groups also blamed liquor for soldiers’ bad behaviour at home and overseas, and for exacerbating the physical and mental disorders suffered by those who returned.
The temperance movement was powerful and despite considerable public opposition, across Australia various pieces of legislation were introduced, designed to control alcohol consumption. Immortalised as the six o’clock swill, early closing was a favourite of organisations such as the Womens Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Lobbying for early closing had begun before the War, but its proponents argued it was even more important during the War to ‘protect the men in uniform and those they leave behind’. Some States introduced it as early as 1916 and Queensland also passed early closing legislation that came into effect in 1923 (although the pubs closed at 8 o’clock rather than 6 o’clock).
Registration number
N6802
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