W.C.T.U.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 212, 10 September 1935, Page 2

W.C.T.U.

The monthly meeting of the Wanganui central branch of the W.C.T.U. was held in Trinity Parlour last Thursday afternoon. Mrs. Beggs led the devotions, alter which the pledge was reaffirmed and minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. The president stressed the fact that September 19 would be the anniversary of the granting of womanhood suffrage in New Zealand (1893). A reform that was granted after hard toil ami much persistent agitation by our pioneer women. Forty-two years ago “White Ribboners” led the women to victory and made the proud boast that New Zealand was the first country to have gained the franchise. An informative article was read on “The Cocktail Habit” and, inter alia, said that “well-marked signs of newly-awakened anxiety are manifesting themselves in the minds oi many thoughtful hostesses ami others. They arc querying whether it would not be wise to eliminate the cocktail from their scheme of entertainment. This anxiety is not born of prudishness. but it is being realised that the cocktail is taking a heavy toll of those who have become habituated to it, and that the president of the British Medical Association, Dr. Watson Smith, stated that a very heavy bill of the deferred payment type would surely be presented a little later on in the terms of cirrhosis of the liver, c-no of the most troublesome diseases known to science.” Mesdames AlcGarorcry and Coles volunteered as hostesses for next meetn>g. It was announced that October would be ’’Maori Day” celebration, and it was decided to ask Sister Hobbs, deaconess of Katana, to address the meeting. It was also arranged that a “bring-and-buy ” stall, in aid of local funds, be held the same afterAfternoon tea was then served, after which a profitable meeting closed with the pronouncing of the Benediction.