HASTINGS W.C.T.U.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 269, 27 October 1934, Page 11

HASTINGS W.C.T.U.

An Interesting Talk TRIP THROUGH AMERICA The monthly meeting of the Hastings branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was well attended on Thursday last. Mrs Hickmott (president) presided. Devotional exorcises and reports occupied the lirst part of the afternoon. Afternoon tea was then served, the hostesses being Mesdames W. Cook and J. Wilson. A welcome home was extended to Mis Hudson and Miss I. Mitchell, who have been on holiday in U.S.A, for the past six months. Mrs Hudson gave a very interesting account of a few of the things and places they had seen in their travels. They were charmed with Fiji, their time there being all too short. While in Honolulu for three days they wcie the guests of Mrs Lee-Cowie, who >s doing a wonderful missionary work among Japanese boys and girls there. Ju Honolulu a visit was paid to Hine Clark's model dairy. The speaker gave details of how the cows are ted, cleaned and cared for under hygienic conditions. The proprietor entertained them and told how ho bad started life on a small milk run. Crossing by the Monterey they landed at Los Angeles, Owing to the shipping strike being in full swing they travelled by train to San Francisco. From there they went up to Vancouver, visiting Portland (a city of roses), Seattle, and Victoria, which was a beautiful quiet Englisn-lookiug place. Comparing life and conditions in the U.S.A, witu Canada, Mrs Hudson said there was a more solid appearance in every way in the latter place. Everybody in both places had treated them with the utmost kindness, and altogether they had had a wonderful holiday. The travelling facilities were up-to-date and everything was done on a gigantic scale.

Replying to questions, the speaker stated that the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment had meant that beer was sold at every street corner. Every facility was given for men and women, and even boys and girls, to procure liquor, and drinking was very much in evidence. Unemployment was very rife. Not only were there 15 million unemployed in the States, but there were 5000 ministers of religion seeking employment. The cost of living was very high. No meat, except young mutton, lamb, etc., was eaten, and it was not out of the way to pay 2/6 for four chops. Drapery, such as frocks, hose, etc., was made to sell and did not wear well. The work of the W.C.T.U. was being carried on much in the same way as here, but there seemed to be a lack of organisation amongst the young people. At the conclusion of her address Mrs Hudson handed round several trinkets of Indian work, which were admired by the ladies, who thanked her for her most interesting and entertaining talk. The meeting closed in the usual, way with the Benediction.