REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 5, Issue 58, 1 April 1900, Page 3

REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

W.C.T.TJ. MAORI MISSION REPORT

Owing to the liberality of tho Unions your Superintendent and Secretary have been able to visit Rotorua twice during the year, and held meetings with Maori men and women at many of the settlements. As previously arranged Mrs Foiey met me on the train on Good Frida/. We spent several days togother going to the places round about Rotorua. The firs; few days weie taken up inOhinemutu: owing to the death of a woman of rank the town was full of visitors from all neighbouring tribes. We had the opportunity of addressing them in their great meeting house, and every time wo went there we received most cordial welcomes, and our message was listened to most attentively. Whakarewarewa and Te Ngae made us heartily w-elcome, some of the people said we ought to visit more fre juently We promised to go again before the general election. When I found it was not p< sssible for me to go in November I wrote to Mr? Foley, hon. secretary of Maori Missions, asking her if she could arrange to pay them a visit. She very willingly consented, arriving at Rot rua on the Pith November. I havejvery groat pleasure in 7T;* r '.nt.’ng her report, and wish could . . been with us at Convention to ,tell her i.4j 1 story, how she found the people, the 3 she took to visit them, and the work b‘ie was able to do. I feel sue it would he to tue advantage of the Mission if more visits could 00 paid, also if we could go to other parts of the country. While we help foreign missions let us not be unmindful of the needs of our own mission fund, so that the good seed of Christian Temperance may be sown among our Maori sisters. A. J. ScHNACK ENBBRO, Superintendent.

MRS FOLEY’S REPORT. On the 16th November, 1899, I, in company with my daughter, arrived at Rotorua, when I found .all the natives a-tir, preparing to receive some of the many would-be-candi-dates for the electorate, as it was nearing the polling day. I caused a meeting to be held at (Tamatekapua) meeting house, and felt much pleased to see a number of outsiders, chielly men, in my meeting. As I welcomed them I explained the w object of my coming, and

opened our meeting with a prayer ; after which I addressed them all fully on TemperArne and Prohibition and al«o on Legislation. Finally I advised them to give their vote* to a candidate who is a blue-ribbon*-r. and explained to them the necessity of doing so, and w hen I challenge! (Mentions from them, they gave me many, and some rather difficult to answer, f dwelt upon Prohibition (as their |Uestions were chietfy on that point) as an h<>nour<tf>le fellowship, saving of money, property, health and uappiness of the family, and as a good example to the rising generation, etc., etc. 1 advised them to get their uieinIkt for the district (when elected) to use his influence in the House to make rijhtdoing easy and wrongdoing more di(Boult (as Mrs 11. Lee 'ays), by the removal of the temptation from the paths of the weak, and young by giving to every Maori voter in an electorate the power to suy »%t the ballot l»ox whether he or she wishes the dunk traffic to remain in his or her district, or whether they would like it to ho removed. After giving their great satisfaction they all promised to take my advice, and expressed a w ish for me to visit them oftener, then gave me a hearty applause, with good wishes and long standing to the blue rihl>on Unions. This was mom than I expected from these outsiders ; so, nearing the clone of ou p meeting,two men from Matata, one’in particular, Mr Arthur Warbrick, got up,and after expressing his delight in being pr* sent to hear the object of inj visit, he begged to ask me to extend my visit to Matata ; as he felt sure the people there would he pleased to hear my explanations, and he knew of many that would join the Union; ho said he felt sure that my advice as to the bringing about a Sabbath School for both old ami young was greatly required. After closing our pleasant meeting, we dispersed (found, that wherever 1 visited the Unions, the members were true und tirm to their pledgee, and par f vularly in Ohinemntu, they seemed to have ahand oned their former evil way* of tre (Uenting the hotels, etc. I’he 17th, and lHth found me at To Ngae and Mokoia Island, at which latter place 1 held another meeting, where two men joined the l nion as honoiary meuitssrs, and promised to pay in their fee when they <an ass mhie again with their president, who was absent at this time. The following day 1 was rowed hack across the lake to Te Ngae, where I spent the day in visiting the sick, two women both members of i it Uni 'ii !he nest day was i ainii si refuted a seat in the Mail Coach, (for reas »ns I did not th**n know,) my daughter got my own buggy and horse ready and I drove myself on t«» Pukaitaru, thence next day to Maketu, where 1 found Miss Spencer, was doing g*x>d work in the Union there. As they held their meetings monthly, iMrd, next day 1 drove on to Waitangi-Te Puke, found them assembling to ocnaidsr the candidates for election After delivering my lecture, one ruin, an old chief, signed his name in my pledge boo*, and mid he did so to lead his people on to the same path he had taken, and wished me to remain an ther day, or return some future tune to them, and wou'd pay t> me his fee of one shilling, two w men joined in and made me take tb* ir eapit iti ei lee of threepen<v each. I th.p trivel’i 1 ii to M »no Fka-Te Poke,where I found some if the members awaiting ine, with a tiumb •! of visitors from the Hay of Islands, and some from Otaki. I lectured iu these latter places chiefly on the same §ubj«'cfcs as 1 had delivered at Ohine-

mutu, and I found that, though the same quietness prevailed here, no noisy gatherings in front of hotels, n > drinking, no liquor given to entertain visitors, as the custom was in the past ; but there was a want of energetic officers among their Unions, to cause meetings to be held occasionally, and thereby keep to the rules of the W.C.T.U. The next day I drove on to Matata, where in the evening I found the people awaiting ine in the meeting house crowded to excess After welcoming me, they asked me to give them first a lecture on the Blue Kibbon movements, and an explanation as to how < r why it was formed, and why a capitati n fee was required. They kept mo speaking and answering their questions for more than three hours. Being well satisfied they wished to sign the pledges at once, but being tired 1 asked them to be allowed to rest till the morning, at which time they could come and see me, which they did. I obtain, dover thirty pb dges signed by women, and some by men, they were anxious to have a Union formed if 1 were to wait another day or two, but 1 could only promise to send some of our officers from Kotor at to help and guide them on ; but I am sorry to say. the girls and women I asked to go did not go ; some were in trouble, others were sick, consequently no Union was formed at Matata. In conclusion I beg to siv that 1 have t*een very sorry I wa* not üble to come and be with you at Convention, as I could answer your questions more satisfactorily, and urge to your llui n the advisability of putting before the House of Parliament a petition from themselves asking to |ass un Act allowing them to have the power to express her and his wish as to whether the drink traffic should remain in their district, or whether they would like it to be removed, and have the voting paper with the three itwi printed iu Maori. There are people at the Hay of Islands who are also anxious to form a Union, and if the Union can see its way clear, I l**g that tho Ma ri Unions be not forgotten, J*vx Folet, Hon. Secretary. LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY REPORT.

The last Session of Parliament w»s a disappointing one, so much time having been waste l in party wrangling. The Elective Executive Hill, from the passing of which so much wis h< p»*d as a remedy against party strife, was Ist on the second reading. In thisocnneeti n the Christchurch Union passed a resolution regretting that those M.H.K’s who professed to be alive to the evils of Party Government, did n<*t make a determined effort to stature the passin j of the Hill. The Young Perse ns’ Protection Bill also lost. NaS'-by, Invercargill, Christchurch, K&iapoi, Lyttelton, sent resolution* on the subject to the Premier, and to their local M. H. Ks. It was urged that it should l>e made very clear that the Act applied to boys as well as to girl*, and that too much power should not Ik? given to the police. In Invercargill a petition was set on foot urging the adoption of the Curfew Bell, 1k «0 signatures being obtained. The gr<»ss miscarriage of justice in connection with the infliction of fines by Mr Stratford, 8.M.. in the sly-grog selling cases in Southland, Mused some of the Unions to a vigorous protest, notably Lyttelton, Christchurch and Kongo!ea.

Correspondence was for ward-*d to the Premier on the subject, who replied that he would give the matter due consideration. MrG.J. Smith’s Locil Option Scrutineers Bill, which was afterwards tak- n up ny ihe Government and entitled the Licensing Pdlß*gulat on Bill, happily passed through both Hous -s. The Unions in Auckland, Nelson, Christ church, Leenton, Kaiapoi and Lyttelton, corresponded with their local M.ll.R's,and forwarded rcsolutions in support of the Bill to the Premier. Favourable replies were received iu all but a fe»v instances. Mrs Gaskin, of Cobden, led the way this year in endeavouring to stir the Unions of the Colony to recognise the evils connected with the sale of Opium. Through the VYhiti Kibhon she sent the information to the brunches that a Committee was boin,' formed m Grcymouth by a Chinese Mission try, who desired the co-operation of the W.C.T.U. in olt ftining sign \tures to a petition which appealed to the Government to restrict the Opium Traffic. The Grey iu mth W.C.T.U. resolved to work witt the Committee, and Mrs Gtskin hoped that the various branches throughout the colony would tak • the matter up. Na el»y Union followed, sending a resolutiont> the Premier, urgin not only the restriction of t he sale and importation of Opium, hut of the sale of .Sureties in any ship* to y«*ung person*. Palm rston North also sent a resolution to the Premier protesting against the Opium traffic an l uppe ding for its aholiti >n. The Wellington aud l'etone Unions invited Miss Vosk, a Chinese Mi-siinaiy, to address th**iu, which she did, taking for her subject “ The Opium Curse in China, ’ and interesting many. The Hid f >rth*» •* Prevention of the employment of Hoys and (J rls without piym-nt ” passed both Houses; four shillings l*.*ing the minimum wa»eto I*? paid to girls, aud live shillings to boys. Two-and-sixpenoe and live shillings w. re fir<t propose 1 as the respective minimum wage for girl - and boys, but this w w over-rid len as unfair. The Christchurch Uni on sc .t a r solution t> the Premier expressing disappointment that a Liberal Government should make such a one-sided proposal. The Naseby and Bunnytnorpe Unions real educati nal pipers during the year on the “ Responsibilites of Worn* n as Voters,” and the department reeom inend a that other Unions should follow the examp e of these Unions during the coming year, l'he Devon port Union also did good educational work in framing a circular in which wore iucorp»rited a series of p >inted questions be tringor the “ No Licen " subject, and sending it to the r« sidents ia Devonport with an invitation to atten i a meeting and dUciiss the met r. The text of the circular was p 11 Wished in the Whitx Kibbo.v, and considered so good that several Unions had copies re-printed for distribution. It is to l*e regr *ttcd that the Absolute Majority Bill, the C D. Act K pea', Lunatic Asylum- Board of Enquiry, Removal of Women’s Disabilities, Testator’s Family Maintenance, Tota'isator Abolition, Young Person’s Protection, Elec ive Executive, an i Referendum Hula were all dropped or thrown out. Your Superintendents hope that during the year the various brunches will study th**ss H llh, ho that they m iy l»e prepared to t ike an intelligent interest, as well as vigorous action, in influencing their successful passage through noth houses when Parliament meets. It is also to Ik* recommended that meetings should be called, anl object lessons given on “ How to vote,” both in connection with the Pariiamen-

tary ftnd the “ No ' jiollb, as them is t>nly too good reason to believe th>it pome vot« rx are still quite ignorunt on this all-impoi-tant question. K. W. Sheppard, L. M. Kirk, Bu|>erintondenta. JUVENILE WORK AND MEDAL CONTESTS. The Report that, I ha* e to present for the j»ABt year is by no means as full as 1 could wish, as only two Local Union Re ports hare been sent in to me. The Marton L.T.L. has held monthly meetings during the year, which closed in November with a pul lie entert lininent and Medal Contest. This, Win# the first Contest held in New Zealand, excited no small int -re.-t, and proved very successful. The membership numlers 100, with an average attendance of 50, bet there have been many removals, which account for the apparent non-incre* e of the Legion. Previous to the Local Option Poll being taken, the young L»*gioners did good service in distributing Literature and Temperance Songs. Gkeymouth has held fortnightly meeting! between the months of February and Dec mb. r. Names on the roll total 94, with an average attendance of 48. The annual entertainment on November 17th was a great success. Cobden has lately formed a S *nior Grade L.T.L., the young people taking the entire management under an older Superintendent. Cobden has established the first Senior Grade Legion in the Colony, and I tiust next year that several more may begin, as the great need in Temperance work among the young lira in retaining the older m -rubers in our ranks. The tendency is to drift away after childhood is parsed.

Wanganui Juvenile Sewing Class is held every Saturday afternoon, and is much appreCiatedby those who attend it. The attendance is of necessity fluctuating, owing to the mothers taking outside work, though one member haa m>t missel a meeting for eighteen months. 2s garments, 4 pocket handkerchiefs, and a patchwork quilt have been made, and 8s 2d in pence contributed during the year, which is considered very good. Friends have giv.-n material and prizes and various other help, whic h has encouraged the Superintendent, Mrs Smith, in her ifforts to brighten the lives of others.

Half Moon Hat, Stewart Island, has a Hand of Hope under the Superintendency of Mrs Swain, who feels the need of more helpers to form a Senior Grade. The children are young, and many of the parents not sympathisers with the cause, so that work haa to lie cautiously undertaken. Still, Mrs Swain courageously plods on, hoping in God’s strength to triumph in the end. Sanson has quite recently formed a Legion. I was invited to go over ind conduct a meeting in November, which was very well attended, and 34 members enrolled under the Superintendency of Mrs Crichton. Great interest was taken in the movement by both parents and children.

A letter from Mrs Darling, Ranoioka, in August, informed m»* that the W.C.T.U. wan thinking of starting* Loyal Legion. Liteiature was supplied and suggestions given. Blenheim also recently started work amongst the young, on Friday afternoons after

school hours, under the Superintendency of Mrs Grittin and Mrs Rose. Literature has been supplied, and the usual hints given re the work. Taradai.e, Napier, is another pla<e which has lately formed a Young People’s Temperance Society. Last April I had the pleasure of congratulating Otactau upon a start being made in Loyal Legion work. A letter from Nakebv asking help in starting Juvenile work has been received and replied to. In May Literature was ordered from America it arrived in July, and parcels of it were distributed to several Legions. In closing this Report, 1 should like to suggest to the Local Unions, that it would be far more encouraging to me, if they would acknow - ledge the letters I have written to them, and enclose a Report of their year’s work. \Ne should then have a much better idea of tho amount of progress made in Juvenile work. Jessie Spence, Mart on, Jan. 1900. N.Z. Supt. Juvenile Work RELIEF WORK. 1 sent post cards to sixteen District Unions requesting their own and their auxiliaries’ rejxtrts for the year, but received only four or five acknowledgments and these principally, apologetic. In some cases the reasons given for the little work done were good—the success of the elections being the chief one—others said that the Dorcas meetings in the Churches were well supported, and supplied what was necessary to the poor of the district, 1 believe that all Unions will gladly devote part of this year’s leisure to this department's work. Aones Corlett. Superintendent. SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION. I am sorry to my I have but little to report of work done to torward the introduction of temperance teaching in our schools. I have tilked the matter over with a good many people, mott of whom approve of it; some whose aid I sought would say there was a committee for taking steps to introduce the subject, but so far as I could hear, nothing was done. Hearing there was likely to te a revision «>f the school syllabus I sent to the Minister of Education, through Rev F. Isitt, a petition drafted by Mr Adams of Dunedin, in which 1 stated that Temperance teaching was compulsory in Canada, at any rate in some provinces. In reply, I had a letter from the Inspector requesting further information. A friend wrote for tiiat information, but it was not received until the Convention of teachers was over and I behove sent to Mr Judkins. ’H j public schools of Ontario make Physiology and Temperance a compulsory subject in Forms 11, 111, and IV ; books for that subject are scneduled for Public Schools and draining S hools ; the Principals of Normal schools are ii structed to hold sessional examinations in Physiology and Temperance, d he IPgh School Entrance examinations also require Physiology and Tempemnce as a subject. The Public schools of Canada send out broad-minded, in-

telligent young people, their teachers' discipline and moral tone being good. We might take a leaf out of their book. The question is what steps to take to bring about so desirable an end. Would it be adisabb* to send a petition for signature to the various I'nious and Leagues ? I may say that the Election was so engrossing that it was impossible to arouse in the workers much interest in d’emperance in Schools ; each felt it needful to strain every nerve towards getting “No License,” and were unwilling to bring forward any side issues. J. E. Maunder. Superintendent. REPORT OF COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION ON TEMPERANCE PHYSIOLOGY. Held in Taranaki August 21st, ISUH. In M ty 1898 our Union most courageously decided to set about taking up the above mentioned work. After due consideration the three text books chosen for the young people to study were : Section I.—Child’s Guide to Temperance Alice Price. Section ll.—'Temp*iu:ce Primer: Dr J. J. Ridge. Section 111. —Temperance lesson book : Dr Richardson. After getting aMipply of books from Sydney and other pla *es, the movement was well advertised through pulpit and press. 48 candidates entered and were supplied with the books required. Two ladies and a gentleman were found who gave a promise that they would coach the class they each selected, but various circumstances debarred them from doing it, and the children wt re somewhat disappointed at having tho entire responsibility of preparing for the examination. The time for examination was postponed sever il time out of con--1 .ites th«A as their summer work took so much oi their time In the meantime a new set of odicers were elect din the Union ; thesedid not uite realise the position of the Union in regard to the pr>jected examinations. At last when they did realise it th»*y decided to push it through rather than break faith with the few- who were ready to be examined. The press of work in connection with the Local Option Poll detracted from the attention that would have otherwise been giv. n to this work. Taking all these drawbacks into consideration, it is not to be much wondered at that the final result was so poor. At the New Plymouth centre only two sat—nene passed. At Mahotu—only two nat —one passed At Ngaire centre —none sat. Our only comfort is in the thought that tho books have gone int > the botnet and may lx* studied by old and young alike. The effort was too large for a local Union, having as it bad, to feel its way step by step, without help or advice. The work in connection with it was enormous. We may bo üble to do something in the Bands of Hope, for next to Evangelistic work, this is the next in importance in our Union Departin' nta. E. Douglas, President District Union, New Plymouth. For Secretary

UN FERMENTED WINE.

I am very sorry to report so little work done iu this inp»rt:int department of our Union's work, and regret exceedingly the want of suitable literatim* fordistribu ion on the question. I now have two samples sent me from Mrn 11. Lee, and find they are go *d and suitable, containing » great deal of information, and yet being bri* f and to the point. 1 so t a circular to t v ry branch of the Unions named in the White Ribbon Convention number asking for reports, and returns came from Christchurch, Kmapoi, (ireymouth,‘i imaru.Ormondville, Onohiinga, Hamilton and Uevonporr. It is encouraging to find that in Orinondville the Anglican Church uses unfemiente 1 wine at the Lord s table, although in most towns our Anglican friends are still unawakened to the necessity of any change, and in some place* the Presbyterians are in the same condition. As a rule, the other churches use the uufermented wine. In Hamilton the W.C.T.U. is trying most earnestly to arouse the churches. In Aucklan l an effort was made to bring the matter before the Synod but failed through being to> late with our communication. A courteous reply was received from the Se< rotary of the Synod. S. A. Plummer, Superintendent.

LITERATURE DEPARTMENT. The work for the year has been most eneou raging, a great * r quantity of educative literature having been circulated throughout the Colony than in any previous experience since the formation of our Union. Even the smaller branches have entered heartily into the work, and our members generally have given evidence of being more alive than ever to its importance. But so much yet remains to he done, that any past record must be regarded as an incentive to further effort. Many of the branches distributed leaflets and booklets to every house in their respective districts. Several Unions continue the practice of supplying boxes of Temj*erance literature at the Railway stations, while fre>h branches obtained permission to do so this year. Many of our Ships and Factories have also been supplied in the same way. During the elections thousands of leaflets were distributed at both indoor and out-door meetings. Some of the local branches prepared and printed special leaflets suitable for their own particular needs, so that a much larger quantity of literature has been in circulation than is shown as having passed through the New Zealand department. A W.C.T.U. stall was placed in the Auckland Exhibition and leafle's were di-tributed broadcast at the Temperance tent on the Christchurch grounds in Nov* mber. We have besides, our own official organ, the White Ribbon, and the W.C.T.U. page in the Prohibitionist, for the cost of which latter the Christchurch branch is responsible.

1 may perhaps be permitted to make a few suggestions which may help my successor in her work. Fir.-t, and especially, I would recommend that the Executive make a grant to this department, so that your superintendent may be able to purchase fresh literature. Secondly, that the literature should be advertised in the Wiiitk Kibidn as was done this veur, giving information as to its cost and postage, so that your superintendent may l>o saved the trouble of corresponding with exch s parate branch. Thirdly, that the Unions b« requested t<> support the literature department. that old stork may not accumulate, and that its leaflets, booklets, etc. may be always up to date. I would also suggest that when Unions send orders they instruct that the literature shall be forwarded »*v post, as large parcels coming through the customs entail undue expenditure in nuney, time and trouble. I regret that owing to uncertain health, J have not been able t » do justice to my depart m*nt, hut the work has been a great pleasure to me, and has made me acquainted with many fellow-workers whose court sy and supjH»rt have been a true encouragement. 1 heartily thank those friends, and also desire to acknowledge the courtesy of the editors of the White Ribbon for the space so liberally uff >rded the work. In resigning my position I should like to express ray confident anticipation that our Union will accomplish a great work during the next three years, ai.d if 1 cannot be an active member, it w ill have my warmest sympathy. Isabel May, N. Z. Superintendent. PS. There is a large quantity of literature in stock which the Unions should send for and make use of us soon as possible.

INFLUENCING THE PRESS. In presenting my report, I am pleased to be able to say that good work has been dono in this department during the past year. Several

Unions have supported, or helped to support a Temperance column in the local papers, namely—Colyton, Levin, Feilding, Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Lees ton, and Invercargill. Most of the Unions report meetings to local papers and to the White Ribbon, and several have made use of the correspondence columns in the newspapers. We may congratulate ourselves the fact that the Temperance party is waking up to the value of our daily papers, as a means of disseminating Temperance Truths. And we would impress upon our Unions the necessity there is for more work in that direction. Reports of meetings, Temperance columns,and correspondence in the newspapers as to our work and aims, will all help to keop our movement before the public. And I would ask the New Zealand Unions not to let the people of this Colony forget that our organization is alive, and working steadily. The Christchurch Union still owns the woman’s page in the Prohibitionist, and ihe White Ribbon, the organ of the New Zealand Unions, is doing good work amongst our members and others by its persistent advocacy of all refoimsfor which our Union stands. In conclusion, I regret to say that I received only sixteen replies to my request for reports, although I sent out fifty letters to as many Unions, and several district Unions failed to send any report at all. Fanny Cole. Superintendent.

MOTHERS’ MEETINGS

I have sent circulars re Mothers’ Meetings to thirty-four Unions, i.e., to all Unions numbering over twelve members, and have received several acknowledgments. Most encouraging letters come from Dunedin and Eltham, where regular Mothers’ Meetingsare held, and practical work carried out. Invercargill hoped to begin meetings ; Tirnaru and Waitara are alse organising for meetings. Many of the Unions are taking up the subjects mentioned in the circular in their regular meetings, and others are working with the New Zealand Mothers’ Union, of which there is a branch in Greymouth ; some of our members belonging to it. Altogether I think good work is being done. Many needy cases are relieved, and tired and w**ary mothers refreshed and strengthened. Meetings are much appreciated. Aoc» pt apologies for many shortcomings. I feel all is so imperfectly done, but know most assuredly that our God can and will bless our feeble efforts if done for Him. I would urge our Unions to take up Mother’s Meetings whenever it is found possible. Caroline Gaskin. Superintendent.