W.C.T.U.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 140, 28 May 1928, Page 9

W.C.T.U.

HASTINGS BRANCH, MONTHLY’ MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held on Thursday afternoon in the Wesley Hall, Hastings, Mrs. B>anks presiding. A devotional paper was read by Mrs. Hickmott entitled “First Things.’’ Scientific facts were quoted by several members as follows:— “(1) It has been well established that alcohol has an important influence upon the nervous system. This means that the drinking of alcohol slows down all the nervous reactions of the body. (2) On the nervous system it acts as a poison in the same way as ether or chloroform, and like these drugs it first affects the higher centres of the brain, hence the critical faculties, and the power of judgment are interfered with, and the individual, misjudging his own cerebal activities, is a menace to everybody and everything. (3) The moral sense is impaired, the will power weakened, and the intellectual energies enfeebled; (4) Chronic alcoholism, in short, is the path to the prison house, and mental hospital.” Mrs. Darby read a very comprehensive report of the recent convention. A report of the “old folks at home” was also received. It was decided to hold a social gathering on Monday. June 11th, in the evening. A committee was set up to make all arrangements. During the afternoon a motion of condolence with Mrs. Paul in her recent sad bereavement was passed, all members standing in silence.