WOMEN'S INFLUENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1940, Page 10

WOMEN'S INFLUENCE.

BISHOP SIMKIN'S APPEAL.

MOTHERS' UNION MEETING. An outline of the various ways in which women could use their influence for good at this time was given bv Bishop \V. .1. Siinkin, when presiding at the annual meeting of the Mothers' I'nioii in St. Mary's schoolroom yesterday afternoon. The. speaker said that lie deplored the widespread influence of intoxicating liquors, es]M)einlly among young people, and stressed that the members of the union could do more, to root out this evil by their influence and prayers than by making protests. 11l the matter of church attendance, too, the bishop a.-ked that the mothers do their utmoct, by their own example, to tight the evil of indifference. "The need, not ouly of this diocese, or of tincountry, but of the whole world, is a ■spirit of repentance," said the speaker. He went on to speak of the impurity which was manifest in the community. Abortion was prevalent everywhere in Xew Zealand, anil since, public protests did not seem to get anywhere, it was for the mothers to use their influence and prayers to counteract the evil. Bishop Simkin paid a tribute to Mrs. Averill, who had retired from the position of president after 2o years, an.l said that he hoped her retirement would not mean her severance from the union. The activitiee of the. Mothers' Union were referred to by the bishop, who eon gratulated the members on the progress made by the organisation. He knew that lie could look to the. union for help and co-operation in the work that lav ahead of him. The valuable work which had been accomplished among the Maoris was mentioned in the report presented !>y the retiring diocesan secretary-. Mr*. \V. J. Simkin. New Maori branches had been formed at Oromahoe, in the Waimate district, at Waipapnkauri, and at Pakanae, while the branch in the parish of the Kpiphany, which ihad lapsed for a time, had now resumed ite meetings. The membership of the union was 240:{, of whom 379 were Maori members. The report showed the financial position to be very satisfactory. The following officers were elected: — President, Mrs. W. .T. Siinkin; vice presidents, Mrs. R. G. Coats, Mrs. Young, Mrs. H. B. Morton, Mrs. J. Mat-Murray, Mm. Carlton Hay; diocesan secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Mason; assistant secretary, Mrs. A. E. Wetherilt; link secretary, Mrs. R. G. Slonian; magazine secretary, Mrs. S. Harrison.