WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23671, 1 December 1938, Page 21

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

The South Dunedin branch of the WCTU held its annual meeting on Thursday last in the schoolroom of Weslev Church. Mrs Donaldson presided? and Mrs Felling conducted the opening service. Correspondence received from Miss Grey regarding liquor laws in Sweden showed that great care was taken in that country of inebriates— they were treated as patients, not criminals. The various systems of State control had, however, proved more or less to be failures. The Bratt system, under a central control In Stockholm, was supposed to limit the amount of liquor bought and consumed by means of permits or tickets, which had been observed to pass from one person to another. In Stockholm, there had been 10 times as many arrests for drunkenness per capita as in New York City.. Previous correspondence had shown evidence of a desire for mf.vmation on this head. The various reports from heads of departments were read, showing the good work accomplished. Mrs Pelling had conducted home and evangelistic meetings backed up by Mrs Donaldson, and both these ladies were presented with floral tributes by Mrs Ridding to show the appreciation of members. A successful cradle roll party was given early in November, the programme (given by young people) being as follows:—Miss Dakers (songs), Airdree Stuart (pipes) Miss McCaskill (Irish dance) Bessie Shaw (recitation). Campaign work had been undertaken before the election (licensing) by several members Sales of produce, etc.. had assisted the finances; £5 14s was the balance on the treasurer's sheet, and the centennial box fund yielded over £2. At the cradle roll meeting six new members had joined, and one more joined at the annual meeting, when several members spoke of the numbers of children and sven adults selling raffle tickets i'he general feeling was that m this respect the Church at least should have clean hands. The president, treasurer, and secretary for the ensuing year are Mrs J W Pelling, Miss Ford, and Miss McCarthy respectively Mrs Kitchin—a member of long standing—and the correspondence secretary were presented with long-service badges at the close of the meeting.