NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 2, Issue 18, 1 December 1896, Page 3

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

rely oa our local Up-cub 1o send us news for this column. We i- *ot evolve it out oj our inner consciousness. AmberSey. The fortnightly meeting was hnd on OctoDer 24. It was decided that a

public Temperance meeting be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, some time before the election. The Treasurer then read from The Woman's Signal an article on “ Loyalty.” Our next meeting was held on Nov. 4. No great amount of business was brought lorward. Resolved that one or more ladies from Christchurch be asked to speak at a public Temperance meeting. Arrangements were made tor a public Temperance meeting on Nov. 27, which proved successtul in rousing a greater interest in our cause. We were favoured with Mrs F. W. Isitt from the Christchurch W.C.T.U., and Mrs Caverhill from the Kaiapoi branch, as speakers; also the Rev. Gow, of Kaiapoi, all of whom were well received. In the afternoon the ladies met the members of our Union and gave some usetul hints on the work. We hope beiore long to have another visit from our sisters. Our time lately has been chiefly devoted to election work, and distribution of Temperance Literature. One new member has joined us, and the Secretary has communicated with several Temperance workers in Cheviot re the formation of a branch of the W.C.T.U. in that district. Thorough organisation in North Canterbury would greatly assist all Temperance work.

Palmerston North. The business meeting was held on Wednesday, November 19. There was a large attendance of members. The work of helping friendless girls has now been taken up, one member having taken in one deserving case. It was proposed and carried that an all day prayer meeting irom 10 till 6) be held on election day, and different ministers and others were authorised to speak for an hour A public meeting for ladies and gentlemen was held on Monday, November 23. Miss Powell presided, and there was a large attendance. Mr James Stubbs, President of the Prohibition League, gave an address on “ How to Vote at the Local Option Poll.” A quartette was sung by Messrs Kibblewhite (2), Mrs Kibblewhite, and Mrs H. Molem, “ Strike out the Top Line.” Mrs Matheson,of liunnythorpe, then addressed the audience. A solo was sung by Mrs Kibblewhite, “ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Mr Grant moved a resolution, >vhich was seconded by Mrs Grace and carried, “ That the meeting pledges itself to vote “ No License” on the election day. and to do their utmost to persuade owners to do likewise,” Those present also

resolved, “ That there would be no finality to the agitation for temperance reform until legislation hail been obtained to enable the people by a majority vote to veto the liquor traffic.” It was unanimously resolved “ I hat on election day a large children’s choir would sing the temperance choruses in the Square.” Oamaru Y’s. We hav been much stirred up by letters from Miss Jessie Mackay, and otherwise, to help the suffering Armenians, and have started a Prayer Circle, as suggested by Rev. W. Wright. We agree to ask God’s help and interposition on behalt ot that affli:ted people every day at a fixed hour, so that we may be sure to remember. Will not other Unions do the same? Besides this we voted fa made by a supplementary sale of work to the Armenian Relief Fund, and are collecting individually in connection with our various Christian Endeavour Societies. We are also doing all we can to secure a Prohibition victory at the coming election. Christchurch. A meeting was hel l at the Coffee Rooms on Nov. 4th, Mrs Ballantyne presiding. Final arrangements were made for the luncheon tent and tea booth, and literature was prepared for distribution. A meeting of the Executive was held on Nov. 25th, when a report of the great success of the luncheon tent was received. 1 he expenses were considerably greater than on any form:.’ occasions, and the takings did not correspond; but, so far as making visitors comfortable was concerned, there was a great improvement on former years. It was decided to insert a three-inch advertisement three times .n the two daily and two evening papers, appealing to women to help the great cause of humanity by striking out the “ top line on the License ballot paper. On Dec. 9th a meeting was held, and officers and superintendents of departments were elected for the forthcoming year. Brunnerton. A second successful I emperance meeting, under the auspices of this Union, was held on October 28, the Rev. Mr McDowall in the chair. The hall was crowded and the meeting pro\ed an instructive and enjoyable one. Three stirring Temperance addresses were given and the various items on the programme much appreciated. Temperance leaflets were again distributed, and at the close 5 pledges

were taken, three cf those who signed also becoming members of our Union. At our usual monthly meeting on November 5, we had three more new members, so that our Union is still steadily increasing, and those of us who held on during its time of decrease are beginning to rejoice that we did not give up A letter from Mrs Kirkland suggesting methods of work in the Evangelistic department was postponed for consideration until after the election, and it was decided to obtain 200 copies of “ How to Vote,” for distribution on that day

Hawera. Our branch of the Union is steadily growing and we begin to feel we are passing the young and tender stage, all the more so that we have just organised an offshoot at Manaia. We held our first public meeting on Nov 12 in Hawera, and the next evening at Manaia, both of which passed off very successfully. A ladies’ meeting is a novelty here. Miss Ahier, of New Plymouth, spoke forcibly on both occasions, delighting her audiences. Prohibition is being talked of by friend and foe and on all occasions, and most people think we shall get it here. We still distribute the Prohibitionist.

Wellington. In accordance with the resolution passed at the November meeting, a prayer meeting for guidance and blessing on Election day was held on the afternoon before the Election. The attendance was not as large as it was hoped to have been. A good time was enjoyed, and we know many of our women were working for our candidates, and were with us in heart. Although we are disappointed at the result of the poll, we have been shown how potent “ the Trades’ ” money, beer and interest, is in crushing anything which is for the best interests of the people. We must keep on educating, and we know we shall have the honour of seeing our people in possession of the righteousness which exalteth a nation. IMaseby. Prior to the Election and Local Option poll, steps were taken to place the issues before the electors. Nearly 4000 leaflets were distributed. Two public meetings for women have been held, and the Union was represented at public meetings held at Waipiata ana Patearoa. The services of Mr Jamieson, of the Clutha, were obtained, and that gentleman gave able addresses on the subject of Prohibition in the Clutha.

Outside the Union good work has been done, and the whole district from Hyde to the Lauder has been stirred up. Rangiora. We have been too hard at work here of late to find time to send you a re. port. The Kaiapoi reporter sent you a nice account of one pleasant meeting we had. Our last ordinary meeting was not held, owing to two special business ones, held for arranging for a systematic canvass of the district with leaflets, prior to the Election. This has been most faithfully done, with the result you already know. We believe there have been 600 more votes for Prohibition, through the Electorate, than at last election, but we have not even carried reduction. Invercargill. Our quarterly meeting was held on November 4. There was a very good attendance. Superintendents’ reports were read, which showed that the different branches of our work were being energetically carried on. The “ White Ribboners ” are hard at work for Prohibition, canvassing the town to get names on the roll. We have arranged to hold an all day prayer meeting on the day of election. Two new members were inducted and donned the White Ribbon. The Rev L. M. Isitt's visit here was a great success. The mission was inaugurated by a monster tea, at which our Union gave two tables. The theatre was crowded each evening ; the temperance people were greatly encouraged. Wanganui, The meetings of this Union are improving greatly. In view of the Electtion, two open meetings were held, and without doubt prohibition votes were increased by the efforts then put forth. New members were also obtained as a result of the meetings. An interesting feature of one of the gatherings was the introduction of charts bearing on the subject of strong drink. There is reason to believe that by means of these some were considerably enlightened as to the uselessness of alcoholic beverages. Our Union has now a box for literature at the railway station. Leaflets have been distributed from house to house, and earnest efforts have been made to win others over to the side of right.