REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 4, Issue 47, 1 April 1899, Page 6

REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

THE “WHITE RIBBON.”

The report and balance-sheet of our ]>aper showed a net increase of M2 in the number of sulisoribers. Alxmt 17U more are required to place matters on a sound footing. A number of the Unions have failed to fulfil the undertaking entered into by their representatives at the previous Convention, viz., to obtain halt as many new subsoril*ers as they have members on the roll. Others have loyally redeemed the pi edges given, while some notably (»reymouth, Stratford, Colyton, Ngaire, Marten, Ashburton, Naseby, and Auckland—have exceeded the number required of them. Ihe statement of liabilities and assets showed a debit balance of £l7 D>s 4d. The Business Manager desires to acknowledge the assistance given by Mrs \ enables and friends of the paper in other parts of the colony. LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY. During the last session of Parliament a number of Bills particularly affecting women were introduced, viz.:—Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill ; Contagious Diseases Repeal Bill; Deceased Hucoands’ Brother’s Marriage Bill; Removal of Women's Disabilities Bill; Restraint of Wagering Bill; Testator's Family Pr *vision out of Estate Bill ; Young Person’s Protection Bill; Inebriate Institutions Bill; Municipal Franchise Reform Bill; Old Age Pensions Bill: Slander of Women Bill; and Divorce Bill.

Of tlu«e only the last five passed both Houses, the remainder living dropped or otherwise disposed of. It may In* noted that the Municipal Franchise Reform Hill recog nises the principle of the economic equality of husbands and wives, as it confers a vote on both for property held by either. The Divorce* Hill (which is a most important and progressive measure, as its conditions apply equally to men and women) w as reserved for Her Majesty’s assent, which lots since lM*en granted. A Petition to Parliament urging legislation to prevent the sale of cigarettes to jwrsons under the age of sixteen was prepared by your superi ten dents, and signed by the N. Z. officers. It was presented to Parliament by Mr G. J. Smith, MILK. The te.tt of the petition was published in the August number of the Whitk Ribbon. Reports e»f Unions show that Wellington assisted in obtaining signatures to a petition in connection with the gambling evil. Christchurch passed resolutions in favour of equality of conditions of divorce for men and women. A strong protest was carried against the proposal to hold licensing elections every six years, instead of three as at present; also a protest against Mr Millar’s Licensing Hill, which was be*ore the House in August. In September a resolution was passed as follows : —“ That, in the opinion of this Union, the action of the nieiiitiers of the Press Gallery of the House of Representatives in attempting to prevent a lady journalist from sharing the facilities which they themselves enjoy, was unjust and unmanly.” Amendments to the “ Young Person's Protection Hill ’ wen* considered, and correspondence held with the Women's Institute on the various points of the Bill. Leeston passed resolutions against Mr Millar’s Licensing Bill.

Dunedin passed resolutions urging upon Government the establishment of a Reformation Home, to Im* manage J by a committee and subsidised by Government. Auckland held meetings and passed resolutions urging the repeal of the C I). Acts. Colyton passed resolutions against the sale of ergare tes to children, and urging that Scientific Temperance Im* made a pass subjeet in Public Schools in Standards IV., V., VI., and VII.

Seeing that the Parliamentary and Licensing elections are to Im* held during the present year, it is most important that each Union should appoint a local supe intendent for this department, so that vigorous and united action may Im* taken. K. W. Siikitabd, L. M. Kikk, Superintendents.

JUVENILE WORK. I have corresponded with every Branch of the W .C.T.U. in this Colony, and have received only fourteen acknowledgements to my urgent requests for such lii several tow ns where Hands of Hope and Juvenile Temples exist, our workers feel that it is unnecessary to form separate Legions. This is the case in Devonport, Eltham, Colvton, Danuevirke, Foxton, and Masteitoii. '1 he Palmerston North, Wellington and Hrunnerton Branches do not s o their way to form a L >yal Temperance Legion at present. Dunedin Branch has taken up the idea in real earnest, and intends taking measures to form a Company early this year.

Wanganui, Turakina, Marton and Greymouth, hav • sent mo their reports f,,r tho year. Tho Wanganui Juvenile work w;w organised n )e*tx ago with throe memh rs. Twenty-one names now stand on the roll with an average attendance of IN. Sewing, knitting and darning are taught, while Temperance Instruction is imparted, all ln*ing much appreciated by the girls. Turakina reports that 2d meetings have been held during the year, the roll nuiultering 21, with an average attendance of 15. Many memliers have removed during the year, but lessons on “ Alcohol and its effects,*’ have lM*en appreciated. The Marton Legion has boon suiierintondcd throughout the year by Mrs Gordon, VicePresident of the W.CT.U., in place of Mrs SjH*nct», who has s h**on unable to, at tend through illness. The roll numbers 101 meml>ers. Instructive Lessons have l>een given, and programmes of various kinds carried out. Greyraouth reports through Mrs Gaskin, Superintendent, having closed their meetings through the winter months, hut have started afresh since the summer Itegan. Hopes an* entertained of forming a separate company for Cobden, as the distance is too great across the river in winter time. I have Im*ou unable to stir up any enthusiasm with regard to Modal Contests, though much correspondence has lieen carried on over the mattter. Marton is engagod training boy* tor a on test which will take place shortly. Printed pajM*rs have Im*oii freely sent away on application, and otherwise, but without apparent result. Several enquiries from workers outside our ranks, have Im.*oii replied to during the year, and information given with regard to work among tho young. Jkssik Spence. Marton, January 7, iMO.

LITE RA IT K E I)EPARTM ENT. When I undertook this work in June last. I was informed that the New Zealand W.C.i'.l had made the Department a grant of £• , hut after the New Zealand accounts were clo-ed for the year, it was found that this gram could not Im* made, and 1 had 1o begin the work without cither money or literature. Mv first step. therefore, was to raise funds, and with this object in view, 1 mad** my wants known through the “ White Ribbon.” Many of the Unions came to the rescue by sending small sums of money to he repaid in Literature, a-> follows: Midhurst, 10s ; • nohunga, los; Colyton, 58; Kaiapoi, ss; Christchurch, ss; Naseby, 7s (kl. I also collected from personal friends the sum of £7, making a total of jti* 2s (id. The ex|M*ndituro is as follows:—To the Women’s Temperance Publishing Company, for evangelistic, social purity, and scientific leaflets, £.l ; to Mrs Harrison Lee for asst >rted literature, ill ; to Mrs Sievwright, Gisborne, for purity pamphlets, ill ; to Mrs Kelsey, Ismdon, for diagrams and lectures on hygiene, £-; to the Herald office, Auckland, for Pledge cards, 12s (><l; postage, Us (id; making the total of expenditure iIN is, and leaving a balance in hand of INs (>d. I enclose a list of literature 1 have in hand, samples of which 1 am sending to the different Unions. March 10. Isabel Mat. List op Literature. By Mrs Harrison Lee—To Working Men; A Kindly Word to Moderate Drinkers; Facts Alx>ut the Liquor Traffic ; Which Side Are You On I" To Parents; Why We Work; To Workers; The First Miracle, and Passover Wine; Marriage and Heredity.

Women's Temperance Publishing Association —Timely Talks—Must it Ik* Prohibition ? On Which Side Aw You? Science and Total Abstinence ; bights of Those Who Dislike Tobacco; Restriction or Prohibition. Signal Lights Who is Responsible?; Temperance and Isilrcur CJuosti -u; Why am I a Prohibitionist?; A New Era in Temperance Reform. Campaign Leaflets —When* Is Thy Brother? Hard limes; Drink or Groceries, Which? Little Folks leaflets. National Leaflets —Scientific. Temperance in Schools; Capital, Lalxmr, and Temp*ran<3e; Little Things i:i Child Life; Reasons Why Women Mioulu Yob*. Department Leaflets— Narcotics ; Experts' Evidec •} Concerning Tobacco. National Leaflets A New Regime: Fair Ptflft Pledge Cards; White Ribbon Hymnal with Music. A large parcel of 14 Purity Literature,” including “Storm Bell,” by Mrs Josephine Butler. SAILORS’ RESTS. Dunedin. —Unless one can go into details, and spa so forbids, regarding cases of interest during the year, and th- y arc many, this report w«»uld be so similar to past ones, that I feel a repetition would not help the work. So, for once, 1 will cull from a lengthy and kindly written notice of the Dura*<lin Sailor's Rest that appearedinthe Kvening Star of February 2nd:— “ So quietly is the good work carried on at the Dunedin Sailor’s Rest that many in the city are almost unaware of its existence, notwithstanding this, it is one of the livest of tin* many institutions we have in our midst.” “ in conversation with one of our rep>rters the other day, the captain of one of the vessels now at the wharf expressed himself in terms of high admiration of the manner in which the Rest was conducted. He had had years of experience of Sailor’s Rests in every part of the world, but the one in Dunedin was quite different from all others. In other places collections were made at the meetings, but here that was never done. It seemed to him that they were good Christian people who had it in hand.” He had attended some of the Missi u im*etings, and the tea recently given to seamen in Port, and was well pleased w ith his visits. The reading room he spoke very highly of, and said it was better kept than any other ho had seen. The meetings were largely attended, and he found that the seamen appreciated, and spoke well of tin* efforts that were lx*ing put forward on their behalf, etc.” The Evening Star continues: mony, coming from so reliable an authority, should U* very gratifying to those instrumental in the up-k**q>of the Sailor’s Rest. Then* can be no doubt that it is doing a good work, and deserves well of the whole community.—A. R. Falconer.

TimaßU.— ln presenting our Annual Report in connection with tin* Sailor’s Rest, we have to congratulate ourselves upon the work done during the year, especially the fact that we now possess*a Rest of our own. The Harbour Board having built now premises a request was made to them for the old building; this was granted. Then application was wade to the Railway Department for a site, and after some delay the present site was granted for ten years at a m *re nominal rent. The buildings w ere remove* renovated inside and outside, and one large room, 30 x 15 feet, was set apart for the

use of the sailors, the remaining four rooms an* for the use of the caretaker. '1 he removing and alteration cost i>s. The sailors appreciate the efforts male on their Ixdmlf, many expn*ss their thanks for tin* kindness shown. Tin* men of the barque Amies expressed their gratitude in presenting to the ladies a beautifully illuminated address to lx* hungup in the room. Owing to a change in caretaker, we are only able to supply the number of men who have visit**! the Rest during the lad six months. ’The numlier of sailors who have availed themselves of the privilege is 221. The numtier of visits from the alxive is 40k Several socials have lx*en held and tin y have been very successful. —E. Guilhkrt.

BIBLK IN SCHOOLS. I regret being unable to report that anything like a uniform opinion prevails among those I have made a point to consult as to the desirability of introducing, as a code subject, Bible reading into our State schools. Against it, the same numlterless objections that have hitherto lieen current continue to lx* rep ated, whilst those who would welcome the teaching of Bible knowledge are very much divided as to how this should lx* imparted, some urging that the Bible as a whol«> ought to Is* the class-book, whilst others weald have selections only ; but I must also add that very many would quite object to the seh*ciion called, ” The Irish Scripture T< xt Book.” In Dunedin, Wellington, and some other places—but under voluntary superintendence Bible classes continue to lx* fairly well attend**!,and w ith good results; hut laudable efforts such as these come very far short of w hat is absolute] needful for every child in the c >lony. Until p blic opinion very much alters, it seems to ae hojx'less to ask tha* tie* legal right to have Bible reading in the schools lxgranted, hut I venture to suggest for consideration that, meanwhile, Bible ethics to w hich no possible objection can lx* made—form part of the education given in every State schixjl. 'Thus Hod-given rules for life—to name only the Ten Commandments would find an abiding place in the mind of almost every girl and lx>y in the colony. And surely this would be an inestimable blessing ?

L. W. Dalkymiu.e, Supt. of Bible in Schools Department. UNFERMENTED WINE. Reports to hand from Dunedin, Christchurch, Palmerston North, New Plymouth,and Auckland. In all these places most of the Nonconformist Churches use unferinenGxl wine at the liord’s table. The wish is expressed that all churches would see it their duty to remove every stumbling block out of the way of the weaker brethren. Dunedin Union has through rejx*ated effort, su reeded in getting unfermented wine used in all but one church. EVANGELISTIC. In various ways the work has lx*en carried on w ith marked success, and reports to haod evince a growing interest. Gospel Temperance sermons are preached in most of the Nonconformist churches at least once a year. In some places Gospel Temperance meetings have been held, in others meetings for Bible study. Hospitals and

Homes hare lx*en visited, at which Temperance tracts and ix*riodicals have been distribut'd. Singing bands have proved themselves useful G'hnl work is !x*ing done among girls in Newtown. In Wellington a Sunday afteriuxm Bible class has proved helpful to many, and several have found peace in Christ. Evangelistic work at Sailors’ Rests has Usui encouraging. F**w ships leave our p >rt (Dunedin) without some soul having lx*cn brought from darkness to light. Many cheering letters are received from the sailors. Bibles, hymn-hooks, and other literature are fr»*ely supplied. M. 11. Kirkland. SABBATH OBSERVANCE AND SUNDAY TRADING. Warm ami encouraging replies have lx*»*n received from twenty Unions, each promising to do w hat they can on this important question. Eighteen Unions asked for literature, which I was glad to send. Our Feilding members have also l**on very true and sympathetic. Some of our memlxTS exerted themselves, and the indie** have been advised from head-quarters to be vigilant, which has caused a little more caution as to Sunday hotel trading and closing at appointed times. Gixxl work has also lx*en done among the Maoris in the matter of Sabbath observance. Marian Minchin. YOUNG WOMEN’S WORK. A Young Women’s Union was formed at Auckland last August, and after a little consideration it was deemed w ise to change the name to that of Young People's Union. It is well officered by members of both sexes, and in January reported a nieiiiliership of 23. 'The work taken up has l>een the distributing of literature and assisting th * W.C.T.U. with the Temperance Kio-<k at the Exhibition. Wanganui reports a Sowing Class for Girls at which suitable readings are given. Lyttelton has also taken up work among girls, a report of which has been sent in under the head of Prevent*ve Work. E. B. Miller. Supt. of Young Women’s Work. HYGIENE AND FuOl) REFORM. 1 have no reports from Unions, as this department of work does not ntiii to lx* taken up by our Unions as a special subject. The laws of health an* so simple and plain that any intelligent ]x*rs«>n engaged in such work as cottage or mothers’ meeting . work among young women,or juvenile work, should make a punt of reading up the subject, and having talks at stated intervals on such themes as sanitation, spread of disease, structure and care of the lxxty, hygienic clothing, the value of the various foods in building up a sound body, etc. i would again urge the Unions to do their very utmost, wherever School Boards have not taken up the matter, t<> s«x* that our growing girls, particularly those who have to earn their living as servants, have as much practi cal teaching in ctx»kiii/, etc., is consistent with their school duties, to help tit them for their work. E. B. Miller, S./j. Supt. of Hygiene an 1 Food Reform.

DR A Wl NG-RooM AND IUME M EETINGS. I have only i**j*orts fr**m twelve Unions, ami some of th**se ooly give informa ion up to Oct ; but I know that th*- work has l***en taken up in other places. Wellington reports four drawing-r* miiii meetings ami subjects «»f addrcss**s —*• Unnecessary unday \N«*rk required by Mistresses of their Maids, ’ “ Women and th** Franchise,” •• Hvgi**n** in Clothing.” A few n*• ar uieinlters Coltton. —Two drawing r«N*m m<*ctings one to meet Miss Powell. Thirty-two present, about half n(»i)-memlM>rs, nun y :f v. lmin were entire strangers to our work. Another meeting was h*d*l to meet Miss Minch u, delegate to Napier Convention. Thirty were present, ten of whom were non-mcinliera. Pahiaita. — Seven nn*etingH were held. Small attendance. Union needs outside assistant. Strati*'*»ko. Beveral m**etings arranged, but the <lay was always wet. Midhukrt. Seven cottage m**etings, at which a number i»f u**w ineniUrs were gained. Pr noarkh u.—Two drawing-room meetings. Attendance from eight to ten persons. Five new memtiers were enrolled. Hawkra. — Three* drawing r*» »m meetings Twenty-‘our persons attended, almost all outsiders. Six joined the Union. No addresses, but most interesting talks on Prohibition, etc Napier. Three draw ing room meetings. Forty-four ladies attended. This Union is evidently reaching the right class of |>*>rsons. Eighteen n**w memtiers enroll***} from these meetings. Seventeen friends offered rooms for the meetings, one each week, which have been duly held. Able addresses were given at these gatherings by Mrs Brown, i

*>n Hererlity, Gosjiel Temporanoe, Duty **f Mothers, and Pur ty. The Superintendent says the meetings are the diruct result of mv own letter of July 29. Blenheim. Drawing-nxmi ami cottage Headings wers held most months of the year At the cottage ones pa(>ers w**re read and convernation took place *»n Horn** Duties. “Uur Temperance Work, its Aim and Object,” was the subject at th** drawing-room meet ngs, which wen* well att* nded by strangers, several new members joining. Hokitika.— Cottage meetings have l«een held. Cobdbm. —('■ »ttag«* missionary prayer m**«*tings have I teen held monthly. I*«*kt Chalk bus. Fourteen cottage evangelistic uu**dings at homes **f invalids unable to attend cFu;vh. N ysrbt. —Most regular in****tings t the f*»rm of cottag** meetings. Attendance, six to ten. Subj«*cts Juvenile depravity ,* Gambling; Foreign Missions; Bible Beading; Sketch of S. Bowley, Temperan<*e Heformer; Our 1 eal and How Attainable. 1 was prevente«l by illness from taking up the work for bo me months, and for this reason, and also that later my time was taken up by <piite u ei;s*cted «luti«*s, Christchurch hits not held meetin.s, but 1 have dim** all in my power by corn*spondence with th** l ni*»us, l.trg** and small, throughout New /ealand to further the work and this was rat her a formidable undertaking. While f«M*ling thankful that so much g****d work has lx*en don**, I would w ish to impress on the Unions that our aim in holding these iu**etings is to rea**h |M*rsoiis who will n<*t attend public meetings, and try to interest them in our work. rcmcmlM*ring theohjoct f<*r which th** W.C.T.U was founded (r**a<l N. Z. Constitution). We have our Evangelistic Department, and prayer iu«*otings ar** held in connection with ©very church, so 1 trust I shall not be misunderstood when I say that these meetings should be utilised to give information on the various asp**cts of th** Temj*erance movement, and this year esjHvially to try to induce outsiders t<> vote for no license by removing their prejudices i >ur other de|iurtiu«*nt.s *»f work shouM also l>** introduce*l in addresses or in conversat ion l’h<» m*etings should Im* <(uite informal, totally unlike ordinary <»n**s. 1 have attended two large and most interesting drawing-room meetings at Ashburton, speaking on the n**«*<l of a reverent study of God’s laws in our l»>li.»s, and our duty in regar 1 to imparting this knowledge to our children. I also spoke at two public im*oting.s, and 1 heartily congratulate th** Ashburton Union *>n their arrangement «*t these Hus tings I'lu* girls of th** Kaiapii Shakesjierian I’lul* also ask«**l me t** address them **n the >am** subject, and i shall always think with pl**asura of the kin*l and attentive way they listened to my woids oil this solemn subject. Then* wen* about I*o present. 1 wish, in con -lttsion, to thank all i«M*al Su|M*riutend(*nts for th** kindly manner in which they received my suggestions. Y**urs in tin* work, Mahy DeKenzy Newton. INFLUENCING THE PRESS. In August, IK9H, I s**nt out a circular to all the Unions, impn*ssing u(>on th«*ui the great need then* is for making more use of the Press

sis a powerful ai<l to our work. Tin* rej**rts 1 received but month show that nothing now is l*eing attempted in this depart in ont. Most Unions rojx.rt ordinary and special to local papers, andals >to the Whiik Rian >n. Invercargill an<l lady ton enjoy the distinction of being the only two Unions who pay for a Temperance column. Little Xaseby, in addition to reporting meetings, oontrlmte* to correspondence columns, stud Mends Temperance items to local |*ajier. Leeeton is making an effort to arrange for a Temperance column in conju ction with other Temperance worker*. Christchurch still controls the Woman's page in the “ Prohibitionist,” w hich is «*dit«*d by one of its membem. And, sis an aid to disseminating our principles, the Whit* Kihiion, the organ of the New Zealand Unions, is well known to all. In rejx.rting meetings we would advise the Unions to make tin* reptrt as concise as possible. It is not n»*eessary to mention that the meeting o}H*ncd with singing and prayer, for that is the recognised fo:m used in owning our meetings; but the report should often at once with tin* business done, so that no m*wsp»l >er ed tor should n ject manuscript liec iuse of its length. A list of names of iterformers of a musical programme, tha only forms a small jmrt of the exercises, should not l*e given at length, but any business done, or resolutions passed should In* catefully rocord«*d. We would again urge the Unions to make more use of the correspondence columns in local jMijiers; also, if they are unable to support a Temperance column, to co-operate w ith other Teinjwnuice workers in doing so. Yours in White Hi Id ton Isinds, Fanny Colk, X. Z. Frees Superintendent. EDUCATIONAL.

At tin* suggestion of Miss Powell, an effort has 1 m*<*n made to form Educational meetings in all the branches of the W.C.T.U, in New Zealand. All the Unions have lwen communicated with, requesting them to hold Educational meetings. Tliirbvn of the fifty-two circulars have Usui replied to. .Six out of thirteen have taken up the work, hut no special rc)M>rts have Usui sent in. In connection w ith the Marton branch, Educational meetings have Usui held from March to August. The meetings were oomhiued with tin* business. Many subjects were discussed, and extracts from papers read. A. Kniook, Marton, N.Z. Supt. Education.

MAOKI MISSION. During SeptemU*r a visit was paid by some mcmUus of the ~nd l uion to Orakei, a native settlement. We found the women at work in the tie his, but some of them came to hear what we had to sav. Short addresses were given by Mis Poromata and your Superintendent. resulting in six of them taking our pledge. All expressed an interest in the work In OctoU*r I went to Rotorua; was met by Mrs Hewitt, who accompanied me in most of my visits to the neighbouring settlements. We saw the women at work in toeir own little gardens quite a new feature of Maori life There was also a marked improvement in their persons and houses, owing, they told me, to the work start«*d by Mrs Hewitt. At Whakurewaruwa 1 spent a good deal of time With Sophia, the Maori guide, and chief

woman of the pla<*e. Her testimony is that, with one or two exceptions, every woman of that place lias taken the pledge and k <*pt it. ** Hut,” she added, *• w hat is, I think, of even more importance, is the way the Sabbath is obs<*rv**< 1. In old times we ust-d to sit ah nit. or go round w ith tourists, or just play, while now iml<*ed it is a ka Tapu (holy day).” 1 had promised to visit To Ngae, but heavy rain prevented. I have a letter from Mr Brown, the teacher, residing then*, in which he says that “all the scholars (over to) of the school have signed the pledge can! issued by the Union, and as opportunity affords I bring the same under the notice of outsiders, so that a goodly nutnlter are pledged in this dis trict. There is absolutely no drinking of intoxicants anywhere in the neighbourhood of Te > gao, and 1 think I may say that the island of Mokoia is free from it.” The work Mr and Mrs Brown are doing among the Maoris of that district is tieyond all praise. Memliors of the Lyttelton Union visit the Maoris in that district, and hold Bands of Hope and other meetings, which are much appreciated. The outlook is cheering. I have to thank all the Unions who have so lil»erally responded to the appeal for funds. The balance-sheet is now presented. I have arranged another visit at Easter, after which little more can lie done till spring, owing to distance and l»ad roads. A. J. SCHNACKKNHKKO, Superintendent. SU PC HINT K NI>IC NT*S BA L A NCK-Sh K ST.

Income. fl 8. d. Cash from Mrs Troy ... 20 7 <> Lyttelton Union 0 • a Midhurst, |s*r Miss Jack 0 11 0 Postage from Tn iuuivr 0 5 0 Balance from Mr Harding*8 cheque 0 a 0 JK21 la 0 Expenditure. X 8. d Printing Pledge Cards 1 *# *• ♦i Pottage 0 6 2 11 ymn-l*ooks, etc. 0 m 4 6 Rotorua 4 10 0 Sundries, books, etc. .. 0 10 6 Balance in hand 13 10 1 4*21 la 0