W.C.T.U.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 60, 8 February 1945, Page 7

W.C.T.U.

The first meeting of the year of the W.C’.T.U. was held oil Tuesday afternoon. Devotional exercises were conducted by Mrs Eckersley, her message for the beginning of the year being “My presence shall go with thee”. A letter from Air H. Grinstead was read, thanking the union for a donation towards the New Zealand Alliance funds. A letter was also read from Air Hemingway (chairman of the Wanganui Education Board) expressing thanks for the union’s letter of appreciation of the board’s efforts towards eliminating child delinquency and of its very line report published some time ago. It was decided that (with Air Hemingway’s. consent) his helpful and encouraging letter be published in the union’s paper. Airs Claridge was appointed delegate to the Dominion convention to be held in Dunedin this month. Members were reminded that the Cradle Bull party was to bo held on Saturday afternoon in St. Andrew’s Hall and that a “plate” from each for the afternoon tea would be much appreciated. '.I "lie speaker was Rev. 11. L. Ficbig, who told of how 1000 prisoners of war (British and American), captured by tho Japanese, and interned in Shanghai, were only saved from madness by their arranging among themselves a course of study, and lectures. What they lmd feared most was not a shortage of food, or ill-treatment, but the extreme boredom arising from having nothing to do. lie went on to say that he had often asked men why they drank. There were many reasons, some being an unhappy home-life, uncongenial employment, boredom, and in general a lack of satisfaction with life. Alcohol brought a brief respite. Tho temperance question would have to bo approached from a new angle. 'The time was coming when l here would be more and more leisure, and occupations for the right use of it would have to be devised. Such schemes as vocational guidance helped a lot for they checked the unhappiness arising from square pegs getting into round holes. Happiness in the home and the proper training of children wero of great importance. The problem was a great oifc, and the solution of it was only commencing. Mrs J. 11. Willson expressed thanks for tho interesting and helpful talk, and the meeting closed with prayer by Mr Ficbig.