Corresponding Secretary's Report.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 71, 1 April 1901, Page 6

Corresponding Secretary's Report.

me less effectual, for we are convinced that all work done in God’s name will bear good good fruit. From some of our smaller Unions, we gain encouragement, by their strong faith and persistency in spite of many drawbacks. During the year God has called home Mrs Robjohns, of Gisborne, at the ripe age of ninety-three, the oldest member in New Zealand. We rejoice for her, but tender our sympathy to those of her family who miss their loved one. During the past twelve months four Unions have disbanded. Thames through Mining depre-sion, some members leaving the district for tho uncertain prospects of others. Miss Stone has worked hard and done her best to keep things together and will still work for Temperance principles. Turakina, on account of two of their members leaving the district, and others who find it impossible to attend meetings, have thought it advisable to disband \inl*erley disbanded as a Union, but all membeis joined and woik

with another Temperauee Society. NN allacetown ceased to hold meetings, but take the White Ribbon and pay their subscriptions to Invercargill. Two new Unions have been formed ; one at Ponsonby, Auckland, and one atOkato, New Plymouth. Wellington heads the list with 112 paid members, Rongotea with 15 honorary. Kaiapoi, Napier, New Plymouth, Auckland have each held twenty four ordinary meetings, Petone six public ones. Greymouth carries the palm fo new pledges, eighteen for the year. Many of our Unions took an active part in the Licensing Committee Elections. Wanganui, Auckland, and Leeston were successful in placing their Candidates at the head of tlu* poll. Many of our Unions feel that it is more blessed to give than to receive*, and in helping others we ourselves are bl ssed. Waianiwa raised T4O towards Indian Relief Fund. Several other Unions assisted this deserving ohj«*ct. Palmerston North, assisted by Rongotea and other Unions,held Sewing meetings and filled l*>xes with clothing and useful articles, t<> be sent to our soldiers in South A f rica.

It is pleasing to note that our Unions do all they can to relieve poverty and sickness, and many have visiting memU*rs to Hospitals and other Charitable Institutions.

'lh«* New Zealand Alliance has been assisted by some Unions, but it is in tlu* form of |H*titions and resolutions that tlu* work of our Unions show most this year With very few exceptions, each Union has sent resolutions to the Premier and their member re Liquor in the King Country, Scientific Temperance

Instruction in Schools, Liquor Control Amendment Bill, and Removal of Women’s Disabilities Dunedin did good work with regard to the first, and obtained over 8(M) names to a petition protesting against liquor being sold, .Many of our small Unions worked with a will to obtain signatures to tin* petition for Scientific Temperance Instruction. New Plymouth obtained over 1000 names. Auckland approached the Council re Juvenile Depravity, and asked that the curfew ordinance should Ik* brought into force, with tho hop** that this would protect the young of both sexes from many temptations. They also asked that a by-law Ik* framed prohibiting boys under fourteen smoking in public places. One of our Unions sent a resolution to our

House of Representatives re expectorating on footpaths or public places. Gisborne has succeeded with their Refreshment and Reading Rooms. The latter is free, and much appreciated. Kaiapoi also has improved and enlarged their Coff**e Rooms. Clvering notes come from our Sailors’ Rests, ar,d all Unions near a seaport distribute literati re and do what they ean to brighten tho lives of our brave sailors. Auckland, New* Plymouth, and Christchurch Unions do a grand work in the form of providing refreshments without alcohol at tho Agricultural Shows. Literature is distributed bv all our Unions, and we reach in this way many who would or could not come to Temperance meetings. Band of Hope work Ims not been forgotten, and many Unions make the work amongst children their chief branch. Some are conducted on L.T.L. lines. New Plymouth and Midhuist give Scientific Temperance Lessons. Tapanui arranged a concert to raise funds for the purchase of an organ, w hich would tend

to make meetings more attractive. Invercargill, Wellington, and Wanganui send encoutaging reports of their work amongst young girls. Whilst we praise God with thankful hearts for what we have lieen enabled to do in the past, we realise the great need of earnest, practical, prayerful work in the future, esjieciallv amongst mothers, who have the training of our boys and girls, and who, on account of various home duties, cannot often attend public meetings, and who would be helped and encouraged in their work by visits from our White Ribbon sisters, bet us not U* discouraged, but press on with the full assurance that God is on our side, and with Him we can overcome all difficulties. Yours in the work, IjY i»ia Harnett.