TEMPERANCE WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 168, 19 July 1939, Page 2

TEMPERANCE WORK

WOMEN’S ( HRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATED On Thursday afternoon the Wan ganui East W.C.T.U. met. in St Alban’s Hall, celebrating Memorial Day. There was a good attendance of members and visitors, whom Mrs Day, the president welcomed. Devotions were led by Mrs. Ogier, who contributed an excellent paper. Apologies were received from Mesdames Walker, Hedges, Conneybear. Hoare, Larsen, and Miss Weston. After members nafl reaffirmed the pledge 'he following temperance fact. “You have not repealed the chemistry of alcohol when you have repealed prohibition,’' was g.vcn by Mrs • Conneybear. A donation was received for the cradle roll, and a 1; a result of sale from a stall, tw-n’;-' shillings were sent to The White Ribbon. It was announced that Mrs. Hiott. | Dominion president, would visit Wan-1. ganui and it was hoped to arrange a combined meeting for August 4. I A very pleasing function took place ; when Mrs. Duxfield handed over all [ records of the union for the last 2G; years, and many interesting items I were read. The next Band of Hope meeting is | to take place on Tuesday, July 25. 11 Rev. T. Weston gave a very graphic I and interesting talk about three fa- 1 mous women. The first. Frances Wil

lard, was the founder of the W.C.T.U., ; a teacher whose influence became world wide, a gracious womanly personality, who knew the value of prayer and the power of the ballotbox', an impassioned orator on temperance work, always just and true . to fact. Mary Livermore, another American, began her advocacy for | temperance when over 50. She ad- I dressed 800 meetings, 100 of these in] Boston, a great social worker who, in her work, travelled over 2000 miles yearly. The third was Miss Agnes Weston, an English woman, who spent her life in work among the seamen, by whom she was called "Mother.” She inaugurated seamen's rests at Portsmouth and elsewhere and started coffee shops which built up the work for temperance. As a result of her work some 6000 seamen in one year signed the pledge. Miss Weston, and also her assistant, Miss Wince, obtained the 0.8. E., and at her death. Miss Weston was honoured by a naval funeral. These three noble women worked to save men by love and patience and helped many to more faithfully serve their Master. This work the W.C.T.U. is carrying on to-day in the larger ports of New Zealand. A hearty vote of thanks for his Inspiring address was accorded Rev. Weston by acclamation.