NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 11, 1 May 1896, Page 4

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

\_We rely on our local Union » to send us ncci for this column. We cannot evolve i< out of our inner consciousness. J Ashburton. We have been trying to extend the circulation of the White Ribbon, and have obtained a few subscribers. We regret to say that our President (Mrs George Andrews) is at present very ill, and our Treasurer (Mrs Jackson) is pre paring to leave Ashburton. We have discussed the question of a Parliamentary candidate, but have not yet come to a decision. Christchurch. The monthly meeting of this Union was held on May 13, when there was a large attendance of members. In the absence of the President (Mrs Ballan tyne) the chair was taken by Mrs F. W. Isitt. Some official correspondence re the “ New Zealand Reader ” was read. A letter was received from the Canterbury Women’s Institute, asking the Union to join with the Institute and other societies in inviting Mr Alfred Saunders, M.H.R., to give a lecture, with practical illustrations, on the Hare system of voting. It was decided to accede to the request. The questions of continuing the subsidy to the W.C.T.U. page of the “ Prohibitionist,” and of assisting theofficial organ of the W.C.T.U., were considered simultaneously. After discussion, it was decided to vote the sum of {2O to the White Ribbon, and a similar sum to the “ Prohibitionist.”

Dunedin. The monthly meeting of this Union was held last week in the Y.W.C.A. rooms, and was well attended. Visitors were present from Oamaru, Fielding, and Tasmania. The following Execu tive officers were also present :—Presi dent, Mrs Thomas Dick ; treasurer, Mrs A. C. Begg; and secretary, Miss Nicol. Mrs Dick presided. Over thirty letters, telegrams, and post-cards were received from the vari ous Unions in New Zealand. The major part of this correspondence dealt with the Convention lately held by the New Zealand Union last month. The Secretary read a letter from the business manager (Mrs Smith) ot the White Ribbon, requesting the assistance re the debt on the paper. Two pounds were unanimously voted for that purpose. Miss Kirk wrote thanking the Union for the kind hospitality accorded the delegates at the Convention. An animated discussion was entered into by some of the members re the lfible in schools, after which a resolution to the effect that the Bible be read in its entirety in the public schools was passed. Miss Dalryinple (colonial superinten dent of the Bible in-Schools Association) also spoke. The Union received, with regret, information of the accident which befell the president of the Christchurch Union after her return from the Convention. The secretary was authorised to forward to Mrs Ballantyne the sincere sympathy of the Dunedin Union. A new member was enrolled.

Consideration of the reports of the delegates to the Prohibition Convention and the New Zealand Union vvas deferred owing to the want of time. Kaiapoi. At the monthly meeting of the above Union, on the 25th March, after the usual work had been completed, an enlarged group of many members of the Union, handsomely framed, was presented to Mrs Smalley, a vice-presi-dent, who was leaving Kaiapoi for the North Island. The President, in her usual happy manner, made the presentation, expressing the great sorrow all felt in losing Mrs Smalley, who had always taken the deepest interest in the work of the W.C.T.U., and by her prayers and loving sympathy had won the regard of all. Mrs. Smalley received the present with deep feelings of joy and sorrow. Mrs Dellow, the Rev. W. J. Gow, and others also said a few words of regret at Mrs Smalley’s departure, and wishing her “ God be with you.”

The following lines were written as a memento, and thinking them applicable to all W.C.T.U. workers, we ask for their insertion in the White Ribbon : TO THE W.C.TU. OF KAIAPOI. A band of noble worn »n, of middle ago and youth, A band of noble women, fighting for thet'Uth; A band of noble women, fighting for the right, With their bonny badge of ribbon, the little bit of white. They are strong, and brave, l d tender, and their hearts are true as steel, For the cause that lacks assistance, and the good of human weal; They will ne’er give o’er the battle till the doom of drink is sealed, And the land is freed from drunkenness, and human hearts are healed. Will you come and join the numbers, for “ God, home, and every land ? ” Then rouse ye from your slumbers, and take the noble stand ; Life is too short to falter in the strife ’tween God and sin ; Then by-and-by laudation, “ Well done, now enter in.” Jean D. Smalley. Kaiapoi, March, 1896. Oamaru-

We began work for this year with an afternoon prayer meeting, on March 21. So many of our members have left us to join Christian Endeavour Societies, that we were not sure whether we ought to continue our yearly meetings. But as we prayed things became clearer, and we decided to carry on till the end of April, to see if the need for 11s really existed. Now we believe that it does, and are having very pleasant weekly meetings —six new Y’s having joined us, We were much encouraged by the kind words and cordial greetings given to our delegate at Convention, and hope to prove that the confidence so kindly expressed in us was not misplaced. Rangiora. The usual monthly meeting was held in the Templar Hall on Friday, April 24,1896; five members present. After devotional exercises, the minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Papers were received from the Rev. E. Walker, of the New Zealand Alliance, on the present position of Prohibition and the Voting on the Liquor Bill. A letter from the business manager of the White Ribbon was read asking how many of the Convention number we should need : decided to have 12. It was also decided that we pay 10/- towards the rent of the hall. The Good Templars have generously allowed us to hold our meet'ngs there free of charge, but it has always been understood that if we had enough funds we should pay.

A post-card was received from Mrs Hoby, of Wellington, asking the members each to contribute -/6 towards the Relief Fund for Brunnertori sufferers, was cordially agreed to, and the secretary has forwarded 7/6. It was reported that the weekly mothers’ meetings connected with the Union have been held as usual. The meeting closed by singing the Temperance Doxology. Waimate. We understand that a Union has been formed at Waimate, but particulars are not yet to hand.