Quotes from William Lyon Mackenzie King

Once a nation parts with the control of its credit, it matters not who makes the laws.

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.

The greatly increased consumption of alcoholic beverages is very largely a direct result of the increased purchasing power created by wartime expenditures.

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.

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.

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.

Regardless of what one's attitude towards prohibition may be, temperance is something against which, at a time of war, no reasonable protest can be made.

Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.

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.

I really believe my greatest service is in the many unwise steps I prevent.

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.

Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.

It is what we prevent, rather than what we do that counts most in Government.

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.

Fortunately, the Canadian people in all their habits, are essentially a temperate people.

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.

Only the man who disciplines himself strictly can stand for long the terrific pace of modern war.

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.

Government, in the last analysis, is organized opinion. Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government.

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.

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.

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.

Each year, therefore, a dollar spent on alcoholic beverages has purchased a smaller quantity.