W.C.T.U. ANNUAL

Evening Star, Issue 14526, 30 November 1910, Page 7

W.C.T.U. ANNUAL

DRINK, NARCOTIC AND GAMING EVILS. Tho annual meeting of tho Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held yesterday afternoon, a very large number of ladies gathering in the Y.W.C.A. Rooms, and Mrs Blair presiding. The annual report of the secretary stated that during the year protests had been made against the legalised bookmaker, the cigarette evil, legalised vice, indecent publications, and the Compulsory Training Bill, which made provision for canteens in military camps. Their efforts in these directions had not been in vain, resulting in the abolition of the bookmaker and the curtailing of race days, and also tiny repeal of file C.D. The vice of tho narcotic habit had grown to a groat extent, especially the cigarette habit among boys, in spite of legislative restriction. Much discussion had been given to the Biblo-in-schools question, and a request had been made by the Union for a referendum on tho subject. Quite a large sum had been collected and contributed to tho Maori Mission Fund. Telegrams had been sent to the Prime Minister and members urging them to support the Licensing Bill at the time before the House, which hail provided tor Dominion Prohibition, by a simple majority, and two ballot papers. Reports on similar lines were sent in by the various suburban branches, all showing the Union to bo nourishing. Mrs Blair made a remark about tho statement re tho abolition of bookmakers. “I only wish,” she said, "that we had secured the abolition of tho bookmaker. There are restrictions, it is true, but I do not think we have a groat deal to be thankful for in the Bill. Tho bookmaker will still ply his unholy calling.” Mrs Blair’s annual address was lengthy and impressive. She said that as the women carried their forces into every avenue which touched the family, political, and religious life of the country, so would the accomplishment of their aim—the abolition of the drink traffic —be hastened. The Union unhesitatingly said that the burden which told heaviest, and which was doing the. most to crush homo life, was the drink enrso and its twin evils, impurity and gambling. They must make their power felt at next election as never before, and carry’ Dominion Prohibition. (Airs Blair touched interestingly upon other subjects. Tho following officers were elected:— Airs Blair, president; Aliss Nicol, recording secretary; Airs Peter Dick, corresponding secretary; Airs Evans, treisurer; Alesdames Don, A. S. Adams, Kirkland, and Driver, vice-presidents. The superintendents of departments will lie elected at tho first meeting in the new year. Seven new members were received, and the very successful meeting concluded with the Doxology.