NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 65, 1 October 1900, Page 2

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

iWe rely on our local I'nions Io send ns news for this column MV cannot evolve it out of our inner consciousness .] Creymouth. At the meeting held on Oct. 4th the president read a most interesting letter from Mrs de R. Ntwton on our work, and also an article from Union Signal on L. T. L. work in America. The matter of attempting to start tea rooms was discussed and will be brought up again at our next meeting. Naseby The usual monthly meeting was held on Oct. 2nd, and took the form of a welcome to Mrs Barnard, whom Nasebv 1- delighted to receive though Hawera is the loser by our gain The opening item was “ Some Glad Day,’’ then followed music, tea, and chat. We met at the house of our president—always the rendezvous for Temperance workers. Christchurch. Weekly meetings are now being held, for the purpose 01 making arrangements for the Tent and Luncheon

Booth on the Shew Grounds early in November. More provisions and more help will he required in every way this year. Offers of personal help will be gladly received by our officers lKith for cooking and attendance at tables, also contributions e ither in money or provisions. Flowers and greenery for decorating the tent will he needed on the morning of Wednesday, November 7th. W ill all who can do something to help ? Wellington. ()wing to inclement weather the attendance at our last meeting was small, hut news respecting the girls of the Newtown Association was very cheering. Blenheim. Meetings of late have taken the form of “At Homes," which have been largely attended. Business meetings are held monthly, and great interest is taken in W. C. T. U. work generally. Resolutions have been passed re Women’s Disabilities Bill and granting of Licenses in the King Country. At time of writing we are busy preparing for Cake and Apron Fair to be held Sept 26th, proceeds to be devoted to removal of debt on Reading Rooms. Gisborne. A very successful Sale of Work was held here early in September, in aid of the Coffee Rooms The sale was held in the afternoon, in the Misses Morice’s ground, the various goods and after, noon tea being set out in tents. The weather was tine, and a great n umber of people attended. Music was provided during the afternoon by friends of the Union. The proceeds were between f 17 and /18. NelsonAt our last meeting four members were elected as representatives to the annual meeting of the Prohibitionist Council. A letter was read from the N. X. Superintendent of Literature, urging desirability of distributing literature, and it was decided to order a supply. Enquiries were made in the matter of the Union having a refreshment stall at the Richmond Agricultural Show. “Women’s Disabilities" Bill was mentioned, but again deferred till next meeting. LeestonOccasion was taken at our last meeting to make a small present to our late treasurer, Miss W ills, on the eve of het marriage. Many loving wishes were expressed for her future happiness, and

afternoon tea was provided. Sickness has prevailed among our members during the winter months, but we hope soon to take up our work with fresh vigour. New Plymouth Our quarterly public meeting on September 26th, took the form of a Missionary meeting, the President in the chair. The speakers were Rev. I A Bennet, Maori Missionary (Anglican 1 , and three Maori gentlemen, for two of whom Mr Bennet acted as interpn ter. They all pleaded that some thing should be done to stop the ravages of strong drink amongst their people. A good collection in aid of the Mission was taken up Auckland. At our meeting on September 13th we were very please d to receive a visit from Miss Brown, who reported that the Young People’s Union had secured a room, and intended resuming their meetings. On September 27th a Conference was held to which were invited the members of the Women’s Political League and the Women’s Democratic Union. Idle object of the Conference was to discuss and prepare suggestions to be lit ought before the Charitable Aid Board as to accommodation at the Hospital for persons suffering from venereal disease After a long and spirited discussion the following resolutions were unanimously passed: “(i) That this meeting thinks it desirable that a divided wing be added to the Hospital, suitable for the treatment of male and female sufferers from venereal diseases; (2) that all cases of contagious and venereal diseases be re ported by doctors and chemists, under a very heavy penalty” Delegates to bring these resolutions before the Board at its next meeting. The right has been secured to have a W C T.l' kiosk at the Agricultural Show in November. The Band of Hope Union and our Auxiliary Unions will take part with us in this effort Napier. At a meeting of the Synod, Mr Tomoana, of Waipatu, gave a niost earnest speech (the iirst ever made in Synod in English by a Maori layman) in seconding the resolution on the- Waikato liquor question. Owing to the immediate importance of the subject, our Union expected some line of action to be submitted to the Unions throughout New Zealand by the Superintendent of \\ oi k among the Maoris it license in the

King Country, but have received none. We are now sending a petition, as suggested by the Alliance. It' it had come from the whole body of White Ribboners it would have had more weight. I'he Temperance column once a week in the Daily Telegraph, though not emanating from the I’nion, is still ably edited by Rev Henry Miller, and is quite up to date.

Maketu Maori Union President, C. Spencer; Treasurer, Miri Haltmia. Maketu has a membership of seven, and held eleven ordinary meetings during the year. Our meetings are conducted more as a Bible class, but at the same time we uphold the great importance of the temperance question and feel that we are members of the \V. C. T. (J. and a* istants in the work [This report should have appeared in the Convention number but was inadvertently overlooked. —N. Z. Cor. Sec.l