NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 12, 1 June 1896, Page 10

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

[We rely on our local Union* to send us newt for thin column. We cannot evolce it out of our inner consciousness.

Mew Plymouth. Mrs Collis writes :—“ Organised two new branches at Midhurst and Ngaire last week, the f’rst with eleven members and seven honorary members, and Ngaire with eight members. Literature is being freely distributed. Distant visits for organising must cease now for the winter. Am canvassing for the White Ribbon. Oamaru. Throughout May we have had very good meetings. One night we adjourned on account of a mission being held in on of the churches, and are going on our way rejoicing, because three of our members there sought and found a Saviour. This year we are trying a different plan of work, each one bringing something to do for herself, instead of sewing for the usual sale of work. Last year we made enough to carry us through this year without having recourse to this method of raising funds. Our first meeting in the month is Bible night, which we all enjoy; we either conduct it ourselves or invite someone to give us an address. The second meeting is Missionary night, when the Onions bring items of interest from the foreign mission field, and we are busy helping to fill a mission box for New Guinea. On the other nights we read and discuss matters of interest, thus having bright and varied and useful gatherings. Rangiora. The usual meeting was held on Friday, May 29th, five member* prcs<. ut. Afirr the devotional exercises the minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. An acknowledgment of the 7s 6d forwarded by this Onion to the Brunner Relief Fund was received from the Secretary W.C.T.U., Wellington. A letter from the. Superintendent Juvenile Work was read, asking what this Onion was doing for the young folks, and, if anything, to forward an account of it. Decided that, as there are several Bands of Hope in connection with different Churches in the town, also a flourishing Juvenile Temple connected

with the Good Templars, we do not see that anything further is needed. A letter from Mrs Sheppard, Editor of White Ribbon, asking fora monthly report of our meetings was agreed to. It was also decided that we should procure some Temperance lea Hots for distribution before the Election, to try and arouse all possible interest. A paper on the Liquor Bill was read. The meeting closed in the usual manner. Wanganui. This Union was re-organised on February 13th, chiefly through the instrumentality of Mrs Collis of New Plymouth. Since the visit of Miss Kirk, a few months ago, the necessity of such a step had gradually been gaining ground. Our members now number sixteen. W e are hoping soon to obtain honorary members, and, in order to facilitate this object, have fixed the fee at 2s. 6d. On May 12th we had a visit from Mrs Sclmackenberg, and, although very short notice was given, a most successful meeting was held, between foity and fifty being present. In the course of her remarks Mrs

Sclmackenberg said that the W.C.T.U. was started in New Zealand eleven years ago, and from that time to this the societies had steadily increased. 'The work engaged in by the members was by no means limited to temperance. Departments of work were many. Scientific instruction, influencing the press, evangelistic work, legislation and petition, social purity, and many other sections form part of the work engaged in. Those present were asked to see that their names were on the electoral roll, and they were urged when voting to select good men who would advance the interests of society. Most of the laws relating to women were not good ones, and what the W.C.T.U. was aiming at were equal laws for men and women. The necessity of Bible r adin in schools was touched upon, and also the wisdom of providing temperance literature for the children We hope soon to put some of these valuable hints to practical use. On May 23th our President, Mrs G. Smith, attended the Temperance Convention at Palmerston North. She has expressed great pleasure both with the meetings and with the kindly hospitality provided for delegates. Our Union is subscribing to the White Ribbon. We have obtained pledge books, and are looking forward to securing signatures. Th names of the Wanganui Union’s officers arc as follows :—President, Mrs

Smith; secretary, Miss Tucker, Camp, bell-street; treasurer, Mrs Lloyd. In the list of officers published in our convention number the names of the secretary and treasurer of the Mosgie! Union were transposed. Mrs. C. Murdoch, Factory-road, is secretary ; and Mrs Janet Bringans, Forth-street, is treasurer. Wellington. The usual monthly meeting was held on the first Thursday in June ; there was a good attendance. The President urged all present to take the White Ribbon, and to try and increase the subscription list. The sum of £\ was voted to the White Ribbon funds, also £\ to the local superintendent of Relief Work, and {2 to the Brunner Relief Fund, contributed by four Unions. It was resolved to send this through the N.Z. Treasurer, with the suggestion that the W.C.T.U. contribution should be distributed by the Brunner Union. A committee was appointed to co-operate with the Prohibition League to arrange the monster Welcome Tea to the Rev L. M. Isitt.

Feilding and Palmerston. The Feilding and Palmerston Branches - which collapsed some time ago have again got upon their feet. On Easter Monday the friends ».ook advantage of the presence at the Feilding Demonstration of the N.Z. Corresponding Secretary to make another attempt. The following week Miss Powell presided at a meeting when officers were elected as follows: Presid nt : Mrs Green wood, Toringa ; Vice-Presidents: Mrs Cocker and Mrs J. C. Thomson; Secretary: Mrs Higgin, Pintril House; Treasurer, Miss Goodbehere. On May nth our N.Z. President held a meeting in Palmerston North and explained to an attentive audience of her own sex the objects of the W.C.T.U. The following resolution was proposed by Mrs Gee, seconded by Miss Meads and carried unanimously:—That in the opinion of this meeting the time has now come to re-organise the local W.C.T.U. This was followed by the enrolling of members—the membership at present standing at nineteen. A meeting is to be held on the 10th inst., when officers will be elected and work taken up At both Palmerston and Feilding several subscribers to the White Ribbon were secured. Surely now—in view of the approaching election—is the time to organise the women all over the Colony. Every little township should have its

v W.C.T.U. Cannot the friends in every larger centre follow the laudable example of some of our Christchurch \\ hite Ribboners and go out into the country to hold meetings with this object ?