W.C.T.U.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18349, 8 June 1931, Page 5

W.C.T.U.

SUCCESSFUL MEETING. The W.C.T.U. meeting was held in St. Paul’s Church Parlour last Thursday afternoon. Mrs Jones, J.P., occupied the chair. Feeling reference was made to <the loss the town had sustained in the death of Mrs Valder, and sympathy was expressed with the bereaved family. A paper was read on the White Ribbon, the official organ, which was started in May, 1893. It lias a circulation of 4987. Arrangements were made for the 32nd birthday party of the local branch to be held on the 18th of this month. Mr Coad gave a most interesting address on his lour through Canada, the United States and England. In Canada, which has State Control, there were beer halls where you could get what was called 4.4. There were Government spirit depots where you could get a bottle of alcohol by signing your name in a book to show that you were over 21 years of age. Any person under 21 years found on drink premises was arrested. No drink could be consumed on the premises. Mr Coad travelled 5000 miles across America and did not see a drunken man on the whole trip. Where he stopped for refreshments it was a common sight to see men with large glasses of hot milk to drink with their meals. Mr Coad spent three months in England, lie saw drink shops everywhere; there were as many women as men at the bars, which did not close till 10.30 p.m. There would be at least a dozen children outside each place, some in prams and others on the pavement waiting for their parents, through all kinds of weather. They were often treated to both drink and blows to keep them quiet. Mr Coad was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. Afternoon tea was served, and the meeting closed with the Benediction.