NOTES AND COMMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 10, Issue 110, 15 July 1904, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Rongotea. —Our sincerest sympathy is with Rongotea White Ribboners. For years they, in common with other Temperance workers of the district, have successfully resisted every attempt to open a licensed house in the district.

Now, in spite of protest, in spite of a numerously signed memorial, a “ moderate ” committee has granted a wholesale license to a boarding-house !

Petition for Scientific Temperance Instruction. — Miss Maunder writes that she has received a large number of signatures to the above Petition and also that Mr McNab, has kindly promised to present the Petition.

New Departments of W.C.T.U. Work. —The Victorian Union haslately added a “Department of Domestic Helpers ” to its list of activities, and will aim at making more efficient the domestic helper and also at improving the conditions under which she labours. One of the Y Unions of America has lately taken up the work of physical culture ; and at headquarters, according to a recent issue of the Union Signal, the U.S.A. President appears to be considering the question of a crusade against objectionable advertisements.

Revolt Against Tyranny. Mrs Dora P. Montehore, of Hammersmith, England, has refused to pay the income tax on the ground that, being a woman, she is denied a voice in the spending of the taxes, and “ taxation without representation is tyranny.” As a consequence of this “ passive resistance, ’ a bailiff was placed in the house, and the dining-room sideboard, chairs, a dressing table and washstand, and Mrs Montehore’s bicycle were distrained, for the debt of £q 15s 6d.

Useful To Unions. We have received from Mrs Spence, of Blenheim, a tastefully designed little booklet setting forth the aims and work of the W.C.T.U., and giving full particulars as to our organisation in New Zealand. Mrs Spence has had a large number of copies printed, and can supply them at the very small cosi, including postage, of is 6d per doz. Unions wishing to increase their membership will do well to order. One of these little blue and

white booklets placed in the hands of outsiders will most effectively serve to introduce the W.C.T.U. to their notice.

Women in the Churches. —The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of America was Held in May at Los Angeles, California, and is notable as being the first Conference to admit women delegates. Of the

546 delegates in attendance at the Conference twenty-five were women, several of these being prominent W.C.T.U. workers.

Lady Henry Somerset’s Home for Inebriate Women. —Queen Alexandra, accompanied by the Princess Victoria and a small suite, attended a con-

cert given in aid of the Industrial Farm Colony at Duxhurst. Lady Henry delivered a most touching address, and Archdeacon Wilberforce eulogised the work of the Home. 3000 applications for admission are refused every year.

St. Louis Exposition.—W.C.T.U. women have erected a beautiful bronze fountain at the St. Louis Exposition. The fountain is placed almost within the shadow of the Statue of Peace. It is said to be the only place on the grounds where ice water is supplied free of charge. To Miss Elsie Ward, a competent New York sculptor, was given the task of modelling the bronze fountain.