President’s Address.

White Ribbon, Volume 5, Issue 57, 1 March 1900, Page 3

President’s Address.

Beloved Comrades,— I like this word. It conveys to ue so much of fellowship in work, as well as patience and sympathy with eaeh other. In greeting you to-day I am reminded of the hard work of the past year, which in many respects has been the most eventful since our organ sation as a Union by Mrs Leavitt. We have hal the services of Mrs Harrison Lee during the greater

part of the year, the result fully proving the truth of our oft-repeated ap’*eals for a woman to spend sufficient time among us as would enable her thoroughly to w'ork the whole colony. This Mrs Lee has done, visiting all the large centres and most of the smaller ones, strengthening weak Unions and starting new r auxiliaries, and in every possible way leaving behind her evidences of sanctified effort in the cause she so much love*!—the uplifting of womanhood. This mission was specially useful in the interests of the Local Option Poll, for which we all workc*l. And while wo fully appreciate all that Mrs Lee was enabled to do, we would also emphasise the zeal of others of our sisters who, during the past yoar, have been in labours more abundant. Miss Kirk has mission' d most of the colony. Miss Powell ha 3 also done spl ndid work; and, besides these, Miss Maunder and Miss Robert*, whose time lias been spent chiefly in the South. The r« suit of the Poll was not fully satisfactory and yet we have good cause for thankfulness and encouragement to continue, for in the end, right will prevail. Let us not be weary in well-doing ; in due season we shall reap. Departmental work for the year includes Evangelistic, Educational, Social, and Legal. Over each of these a woman is placed, who, by correspondence and otherwise, gets into touoh with lile-mindel women in all parts of the colony. Details from oach Superintendent will be read in their place. I can only now enumerate those at hand :

“ Home Meetings," from Mrs Newton. “Juvenile Work and Medal Contests" —Mrs Spencer. “ Young People ” —Mrs Spencer. “ Hygiene and Food Reform," Mrs Miller. “ Maori Work," Mrs Schnaokenl»erg. “ Scientific Temperance Instruction," Miss Maunder. “ Unferrnented Wine," Mrs Plummer. “ Press Work,” Mrs Cole. “Mothers’ Meetings," Mrs Gaskin. “ Purity and Rescue Work,” Mrs Webb. “Bible in Schools,” Miss Dalrymple. “ Literature, ’’ Mrs May. “ Relief Work,” Mrs Corlett. “ Legal ” and “ Parliamentary,” Mrs Sheppard and Miss Kirk. Other reports may come in later. Most of these are encouraging, and all show an immense amount of earnest effort.

In conclusion, I thank all the officers and Superintendents for loving loyalty during the year, and every member of our Unions who has in any way helped the great cause of Humanity. Our ranks are unbroken, but the Reaper has visited the homes of many whom we love and revere. In this city wo have lost our friend Dr Philson. Loving condolence is here teudered to Mrs Philson and family. Mrs Dick, of Dunedin, has also been called to mourn a similar loss, ar.d Mrs Miller a dearlyloved daughter. To all we tender heartfelt sympathy. Convention will send letters to each of these sorrowing sisters. The Hand that smites can heal, and in His own time the God of Israel, who comforts all that mourn, will Himself be their comforter-to abide. The Master said, “ I will send another Comforter.” His Word cannot fail. With hearty greetings to visiting delegates and friends, with earnest prayers for a happy Convention and prosperous year, Your co-labourer in White Rinbon bonds, A. J. SciINACKKNBEKU.