W.C.T.U.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 99, 6 February 1948, Page 5

W.C.T.U.

FIRST MEETING OF YEAR The first meeting- for the year of the Ashburton Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Baring Square Schoolroom. Sister Mildred presided and led devotions. The hymn “Christ for the World” was sung, followed by prayer. The members reaffirmed their pledge. Motions of sympathy were passed to Mrs Hefford and Miss Armstrong, members standing in silence. Mrs Tulloch gave the temperance fact: “Alcohol is a slow poison containing a certain amount of methylated spirits which is most harmful to the body. If we soak a piece of bread in methylated spirits it will become quite hard, so what will it do to our bodies, which are most important to us if we want to be of help to our fellow citizens? Alcohol so hardens food that it stops easy digestion, hardens blood cells, poisons bloodstreams and so poisons our whole body.” The special feature of the afternoon was temperance clippings given by members. One subject, given was the tremendous success of temperance hotels.

The Queensland Temperance League founded in Brisbane the Temperance Hotel Canberra, one of the largest hotels in the State. The success shows that a fh;st-class hotel may thrive without the liquor bar. The occupancy figures have increased from 55,545 guests in 1930, the openingyear, to 164,012 in 1945-46. A second Canberra has been opened in the provincial city of Toowoomba, 90 miles from Brisbane.

During the war years the league spent from the surpluses of these hotels £30,866 in temperance educational work, and £84,000 on patriotic efforts. It was decided that the roll called at each meeting be answered by a temperance text. Afternoon tea was served by Mrs Church and Miss Jamieson.