Temperance union offers a challenge

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 8

Temperance union offers a challenge

Making it happen

Christchurch pioneers Kate Sheppard and Elizabeth McCombs are two of the outstanding women featured in the newly published centennial history of the New Zealand Christian Women’s Temperance Union.

Called, “A Challenge — Not a Truce,” the book has been written by Mrs Jeanne Wood of Timaru, a national W.C.T.U. officer and editor of its “White Ribbon Digest.” The title refers to the movement’s uncomprom-

ising stand on alcohol and the rights of women and children.

Kate Sheppard shines through history as a suffragette, but what isn’t so well known is that she spearheaded women’s fight for the vote through the W.C.T.U. Elizabeth McCombs, New Zealand’s first woman member of Parliament, was also a staunch W.C.T.U. member. Christchurch City Council member, W.C.T.U. treasurer and president of the

Sumner branch, she succeeded her husband as Lyttelton M.P. in 1933. The remarkable history of the New Zealand C.T.U. is also the story of women’s struggle for emancipation in this country. Essentially a group of middle class women determined to rid the rough, new colony of the booming liquor trade which was causing much misery and hardship to working class families, it grew into a powerful poli-

tical force. It has the honour of being the first women’s organisation in New Zealand as well as the first Christian women's organisation.

Today the movement has dwindled to a mere 1000 members who, ignoring labels of “one-eyed wowsers,” remain fervently committed to prohibition and the preservation of Christian family life. ® “Born in a sea of booze,” they claim New Zealand is still “in the throes of an alcoholic epidemic” and that their voice needs to be heard today as much as it did 100 years ago. ® The author, Mrs Jeanne Wood, says she has written the book both “to tell our history as it was,’’ and to “resurrect and recognise our pioneering sisters.” . < “They did a wonderful job in those early days, not only by helping win the vote but by paving the way to much of the Social Welfare work of today,” she says. p ; A colourfully written book, with photographs and cartoons and fascinating anecdotes, it is available for $2O, plus $1 postage and packing from Mrs M. Aitchinson,.Corresponding Secretary, 84 Glen Street, Timaru. World Y.W.C.A. Day This Wednesday, April 23, is World Young Women’s Christian Association Day, when 85 countries celebrated the beginnings and aim of the movement. i| y Each year, Y’s World headquarters in Geneva chooses a theme, AS’this year is International rYjjT’--

of Peace, they have aptly selected Women Working for Peace.

The Y.W.C.A. is still the largest women’s organisation in the world. Its long history goes back to the Crimean War in the 1850 s when Florence Nightingale set up a hostel in London for nurses coming to and from the battlefront. The first Y hostel was set up in Dunedin 107 years ago, followed four years later by a Christchurch branch.

Motivated by a Christian concern for the wellbeing of women, the organisation has a twopronged focus — to provide accommodation for single women and to promote women’s issues.

Although the Christchurch city hostel has now gone, and the headquarters shifted to Bealey Avenue, the Y is soon to open a shelter for women alone in Opawa. The Y.W.C.A. is quite separate from the Y.M.C.A., although the two organisations have a sisterly/brotherly relationship. To mark World Y Day this week, four Christchurch women working in peace activities, will take part in a forum evening to be held at the Y’s premises at 85 Bealey Avenue.

Jocelyn Armstrong is general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Kate Boanas is on the International Year of Peace committee, Valerie Clements on the national council of Amnesty International and Maty McGiven the local president of the United Nations Association. After the four women have spoken on .Women

Working for Peace, there will be time for discussion and questions. All interested are invited to the evening. A charge of $2 will include supper. To reserve seats phone the Y.W.C.A. at 63063; otherwise just turn up and buy tickets at the door. Starting time is 7.30 P-m. Alison Holst cooking show Alison Holst has become a household name in cookery with her simple and sensible yet exciting recipes. Christchurch people are invited to one of her demonstrations this Thursday, April 24, in the Teachers College auditorium, starting at 7.30 p.m. The evening has been organised by the Cashmere and Christchurch clubs of Soroptimist International, which is a women’s service organisation. They are hoping to raise money for a colposcope, an instrument used for early detection of cervical cancer. Tickets cost $5.50 and are available from Ballantyne’s Information Desk.

Our female cycles —a positive view Women who would like to understand more about the positive, creative side of the menstrual cycle are invited to a two-session course organised by the Family Planning Association. , . Beginning next Monday, April 28, and continuing the following Monday evening, May 5, the course will focus on: • Understanding our

bodies. • Listening to ourselves. • When are we most creative and sensitive? • How can we respond to our cycles in a positive way? Bot||sessions run from

7.30 p.m. until 9.30 p.m. and will be held at the F.P.A.’s Education Room, above the clinic at 301 Montreal Street. Cost is $B. To enrol, phone the F.P.A. at 790-515. Christian coffee morning All Christian women are invited to a coffee morning this Wednesday, April 23, at Aldersgate, Durham Street, beginning at 10 a.m. The morning has been organised by the Christchurch women’s committee of the National Council of Churches. The speaker will be Judy Carson, a missionary from Pakistan. There will also be a trading table. For more information phone Kim Carrie at 519084. C.W.I. Woman of the Year The Canterbury Federation of the Country Women’s Institute will hold their Woman of the Year finals- tomorrow afternoon, April 22, at Street Matthews Hall, Cranford St, beginning at 1 p.m. Ten women will take part in the event, which is open to the public. Admission is $l, which includes a cup of tea. The winner will go on to the area finals to be held in Riccarton Mall at 1 p.m. on/May 22. Five contestants, one from each federation, will take Part. Compiled by Glenys Walker. Items for this column should be sent to Glenys Walker, Making It Happen, Home and People Page, The Press, P.O. Box 10*5,. Christchurch. Please send in one week before date.