APPEAL TO WOMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23721, 30 July 1940, Page 11

APPEAL TO WOMEN

BISHOP SIMKIN'S ADDRESS OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE MOTHERS' UNION MEETING A stirring appeal to women to use their influence and the power of prayer for good, particularly in the present time of national crisis, was made by Bishop W. J. Simkin when presiding at the annual meeting of the Mothers' Union in St. Mary's schoolroom yesterday afternoon. Tho evils of intoxicating liquor and its devastating effect, more particularly among young people, were stressed by the speaker, who said the members of the union could do infinitely more to root out this distressing evil by quiet influence and prayer than by making protests. Church attendance was another matter to which the Bishop referred and ho appealed to mothers to avoid the evil of indifference to public worship. Tho great evil of impurity was also manifesting itself, the speaker said. Abortion was prevalent in New Zealand, and as public protests got nowhere Bishop Simkin again appealed to members of the union to use their influence and prayers in this matter. A tribute to Mrs. Averill, who had retired from tho position of president of the Mothers' Union after 25 years of service, was paid by Bishop Simkin. He deeply regretted her retirement and hoped that it did not mean her severance from the union. Referring to the activities of the Mothers' Union, Bishop Simkin congratulated the ou the steady growth of the organisation. He stressed the importance of the link work and congratulated tho committee on the financial position. In the report presented by the retiring diocesan secretary, Mrs. W. J. 'Simkin, it was stated that new Maori branches had been formed at Oromahoe in the Waimat-e district, at Waipapakauri and at Pakanac, while tho branch in the parish of the Epiphany, which lapsed for a time, had now resumed its meetings. The of the union was 2403, of whom 379 were Maori members. , J , _ . The following officers were electedl resident. Mrs. W. J. Simkin; Mrs. R. G. Coats, Mrs. Young, Mrs. H. B. Morton, Mrs. J. Mac Murray, Mrs. Carlton Hay, diocesan secretary and treasurer, Mrs. N. J. Mason; assistant secretary. Mrs. A. E. AVeth orilt; link, secretary, Mrs. R. G- Sloman, magazine secretary, Mrs. S. Harrison.