NEWS OF THE UNIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 11, Issue 121, 15 June 1905, Page 2

NEWS OF THE UNIONS

It’s ’#iv our local i'hion* to s«ni mj mw for (A it column. IV# cannot ovolvt it out a oar tnn#r ron*rtou»*ir**

Auckland

On the 12th of April Mr* Dewar gave her report of Convention to an attentive autlience.

On the 2hth, instead of our usual meeting, a public meeting was announced, and a good number caine to h**ar Mina Hroad, of Cornwall, England, who gave an Address on “ Women standing alar off ” Mis* Hroad urged those ladies present who had been standing aloof to join the Union anl get to work, .ini at ths dose of the meeting four gave in their names.

At tne meeting held on May 10th, much sorrow was expressed at the death of Mrs Schnackenlierg and a vote of sympathy with the liereaved relatives was passed. It was decided to donate HI to the 1 inhibition League for organising exjienses. Mesdames Hughes and Upton were re-elected delegates to the No-License Council. Full consideration of a circular n proposed memorial to the late Mrs Sievwright was deferred The Hible in Schools question was discussed and four new members joined our Union. On May 2ith the Union decided to send letter* to Mr T. K. Taylor and others, thanking them for their action in the recent Christchurch iniquity case, and expressing hope that the law would he amended. The Auckland Drug Hill was discussed. Mrs Daldy, Superintendent ot Fence and Arbitration is expected to read a paper at our next meeting. Levin Notwithstanding p»stp*necjent on account of Imwl weather our garden party was well attended, aud the tea and vegetable stalls did good business. Various g une* and competitions provided amusement aud swelled the funds, while musical items and an address by Mrs Atkinson greatly added to the enjoyment of all. The following day the monthly meeting of the Uuion was held, when Mrs Atkinson addressed us on the all«»cation of funds and the civil rights of women. Mrs Gibson gave an interesting account of Convention It was decided to forward ll>* to the Wi iti Kibb fund.

At our last meeting the sum of Jt*S s* 'M was hauded to the Treasurer as proceed* from the garden party. The work of the Matti department was again the subject of consideration Attention was drawn to the appalling proportion of deaths among native children, authorities stating that it was due to the want of ventilation in their dwellings, %nd their ignorance of the need for cleanliness of food and surround»ngs. It was resolved to try to interest the jiarents in the trainirg institution for native girls at Turakina, and that a sjiecial effort lie made with regard to one or two desirable cases, ttat they may liecotue inmate* of this school. Mrs Harri-“>n Lee’s method of dealing with the “ Revenue” and " Reduction ” question was disenssed aud favourably commented upou„ and it was decided to take as a subject for discussion at

ni*xt meeting ** The Advantage* or of a Reduction of LieonsHs," each mamU r to contribute a short pajH*r or speech Devonport. * \t the meeting held on April 2*'»th, Mrs Stringer’* very able report of Convention was read. Mrs Hayes was appointed super* in'**ndent of literature in place of Mrs Little. It was decided to give a prize for a Hand of Hope essay. Mrs Feltham and the Secretary undertook to collect for the Victory fund It *:ia proposed that the next meeting take the f,,rm of asocial. Miss Towe l to Im* a*k**d to address us. Dunedin At the meeting held on April 4th the principal business was the reading <*f the rejM»rt of the Sailors’ Rest sent by Mr Falconer, the missioner. During Mr Falconer’s absence in the Old Country the wotk was carried on in most wholehearted fashion by Mr W. Me henzie. The Rest has l»een recently rvnovated. The spiritual work carried on is most cheering Scores of men visit the R »st dai y, where ther write letters, etc. The Sunday and Friday evening meetings are highly appreciate!, as are also the tea*. Much of the work done is of such a nature as cannot l*» tabulated. At the monthly meeting Mrs Kirkland gave a graphic ami interesting account of her visit to the Home Country. While the**** she attended the Convention of the W.W.OT Union, held at Geneva, and met delegates from all parts of the world. From that ‘’on* v.-ntion, and the West Australian and Melbourne Conventions of the W.C.T-U. she brought to us hearty greetings. The following resolution in commendation of Mi Taylor’s action in the recent Christchurch scandal was passed unanimously: •* That the W.C.T. Union of Dunedin convey to Mr Taylor. M.H.R., it. high appre ia’ion of his prompt and chivalrous action *n the recent Christchurch scandal.” The sum of on** guinea was donated to the national memorial to the late Margaret Hone Sievwright. Miss Neil was apjwinted auditor for the coming year, ami one new member w;i.» welcomed to the Union Feilding. On May 6th, Mrs McKenzie, of Dunedin, gave the Union t very interesting account of Manoramabai’s work among the child widows of India Later »u ihe afternoon Miss Minchin gave a report of the Wanganui Convention. \ d‘*mtion was voted towards the No-license campaign WaimateMrs Dohrinann, our President, addressed our April meeting. Various matters ot interest were dealt with and several new meiuIn'ii were received. Altogether the Union is in a prosjierous condition. Christchurch At the meeting held .*n May 24th Miss Ro|**rts was appointed speaker on 1 ehalf of the Union at ths reception given to the Kev. L M. I mtt Vlrs Spencer then addressed the mating on recent events in this city, and after some * di'CUanion it was resolved : “ That Mr Justice < {nr Is* heartily thanked by the member! c*t this Union for itis efforts to clear the court during the hearing of an abortion case ” It

was also res dved : ( 1) “ That the beet thanks of this meeting lie accorded to Mr T. K. Taylor for the courageous stand taken by him in reference to a most tragic case of seduction which occurred in this city;" (2) ‘ That the attention of the Ministerof Justiee U* called to the alsive case, |H*inting out the futility of a law which enables a man guilty of seduction to escaj** the just |H*nalty of his sin, and demand ng that the law shall l*e so amended that no limit shall be died to the time when a charge may l*e laid against him j ” and (3) “That the Criminal <!oae Act of 1903 lie amended in the direction of raising the age of consent to twenty one yea’-s.” Strong exception wm taken by members of the Union to recent lectures given by a medical man, at the flret of which he stated that lieer was a food, and at the second of which he advocated not so much the living of a pure and moral life as the minimising of the effWt of impure living. A member having called attention to the remarks made regarding imbecile children at a meeting of the Samaritan Home Committee, the Uni*»n wished to point out that, according to medical evidence, the drinking pro|M*nsities of parents are a great factor in such cases. Kaiapoi. Mrs Evans presided at the nn*eting held on May 31st. At Mrs Hlackwell’s reque-t. Mrs Ellen was elected president for the remainder of the year. Me*dames Geering. Templeton, and Ellen were appointed delegates to the Wellington No License Convention. Reference was made to Mrs Schnaekenl*erg s death and a vote of sympathy with her daughters passed. 'The members decided to continue the fortnightly prayer-meetings and also to take part in a welcome tea meeting to the Fev. L. M. Isitt. A letter of thanks was directed to la* sent to Mr I aylor f • »r bin action in the recent “ iniquity case ” and it was decided to urge upon the M. II H. for the district the necessity of a speely alteration off the law dealing with such cases. Nelson. The usual meeting was dispensed with this month in order that advantage might 1* taken of Mrs Harrison liee’s visit to Nelson, to secure a public address from her under the auspices of the W.C.T U. The i leeting was held in the Methodist church on May 9th, and there was a large attendance of women. Mrs Williams presided In a bright happy address Mrs la«e spoke of the influence woman may and should have in the Home, Church, and State At the close of the meeting six women gave in their names as mem Iters of the Union. We regret that once more our energetic Secretary, Mrs Crump, is laid aside by a painful illness but hope sh» may soon be restored to health, and l>e in our midst again Wanganui. At the April meeting we listened to the Convention balance-sheet, which »*s most satisfactory, for when all expenso* were met we were left with a surplus in hand. Three new members joined our ranks and just l»efore the meetiLg dosed, the following motion was inovtd: “That this Ur. ion desires to exnresa its appnviation of the highly satisfactory arrangements made by its President, Secretary and other officers tor the

holding of the recent successful Convention and heartily congratulates its President, Mrs J. Smith, whose efforts on their behalf were so warmly appreciated by tin* lady delegates, that they presented :ier with a handsomely framed p*hotograpli ot the Convention, which they hope will always grace her walls as a happy memento of i notable event in the history of the Temperance Crusade in N. 7*." This was carried witl acclamation. A special afternoon meeting was held when Miss Lucy Broad, of Cornwall. England, gave an account of the W.C.T.U. s vork in Natal. South Africa which was very interesting. At our May meeting two new member* weio received. Mrs Crutch, who for some while had la*en Su|* rintendent of the literature commit tee, was com|>elb*d, owing to removal, to hand in her resignation. Mrs Me Kwen and Miss Kich»>rdson were appointed in her stead. A papei on “ Loneliness was then read by Mrs Smith. Petone* No less than five of our members have gone on holiday trips. Mrs Corner left us early in the year for England in search of health. We tendered her a farewell tea and now we have farewelled twt more g<n>d workers, Mrs Howe, Treasurer, and Mrs Battersby. Reporter, who have also gone to England They have all promised to Is* hack in time for the November figl t. Meanwhile the few are holding the fort At our meeting on May 3rd, it was decided to start home meetings at once and continue them until the election. Mrs Harrison Lee las U*en with us an! stimulate*! us afresh. She had a splendid audiem*). principally men She also spoke at the llutt. Our l nion paid a visit to our infant. Lower II ntt, and presented Convention report. The Hutt Union is doing very g**od work. We have tw«en presented with a box for the station by one ot our Lon. members, Mr J. Austen. We are verv busyenrolling new comers, an*l chue* who have m:ently come of age Ashburton Our monthly meeting was the most successful in point of numbers yet held. Our room wtts taxed to its utmost capacity by the large number of ladies who were present to hear a splendid address from the wife of Dr \\ atson of America. Mrs \\ atson jH>inted out how nun h might be accomplished by earnest prater and personal work am >ngst daily coin|Nini. ns After thanks to the speaker, afternoon tea was handed round by those who had kindly provided it.