NEWS OF THE UNIONS.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 136, 15 September 1906, Page 2

NEWS OF THE UNIONS.

We rely on our local Lnions to send us news for this column. W’e cannot evolve it out of our inner consciousness Auckland. Our meetings have been full of interest this month. The Inspector of Police informed us that special instructions had now (in response to our resolution) been issued to the police staff, to enforce the regulations against cigarette smoking by boys We also hear that another resolution is bearing fruit, in that the police are dealing with objectionable postcards exposed for sale. The anti-totalisator petition is being pushed, and a large number and variety of exceedingly good “comfort” hags are coming in. We are sending out alnmt 600 invitations for a reception to Mr Bligh ; this will advertise the mass meeting for women. Satuiday night concerts, as a counter attraction to the hotels, are under consideration. Bluff. Since April the Hand of Hope managed by our Union has held its monthly meetings alternately in the Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Good and varied programmes have been contributed by the young members and older friends ; and temperance addressee have been given by the resident ministers and other gentlemen, and also by Sister Jean, of Invercargill. In place of the roll call, each member has been supplied with a card, upon which the attendance is stamped Many fresh pledges have been taken. The ladies of the Union have arranged a series of Silver Medal Contests. I'he Heading Room Fund is being augmented by a collection taken at the Contests. It has also l>een benefited through a service of song, “ Lost in London,” successfully rendered by Hand of Hope members, under the careful direction of Mrs Hunt. A member of the l nion has given a large number of money boxes, and 'J7 volunteers have taken up the work of collecting for the fund. The ground for the Reading Room is

now entirely paid for, but contributions towards the Building Fund will lighten the burden of the workers, and will he gratefully acknowledged Dunedin. At the meeting held September sth, Mr* Hun reported on the “Home” meeting held during the month Other ladies present offered their homes for similar meetings. It was agreed that a deputation from the Union moot tne City workers (evangelistic work), and endeavour to secure their co-operation in enlisting the very young members of the community on the side of temperance by means ot the Cradle Roll. Mrs His lop, after a six months’ holiday in Australia, received a hearty welcome back. She spoke of h-i trip, and it was seen that her holiday had been largely spent in visiting and studying the various temperance organisations of Melbourne. Mrs Hisiop also spoke forcibly on the terrible hold the gambling evil had of the people of A ustrilia. FeildingAt our meeting this month, a circular was received from .Miss McCarthy re influencing the press, and the Secretary was asked to interview Mrs Snow on the subject. It was decided to allow the matter ot organising in Palmerston North to stand over at present. I’he Secretary was instructed to apply for the educational papers mentioned by Miss Powell. NapierOur conversazione, held on August Gth, was a great success. The financial result, with one or two donations, will allow us to send Xb for our Exhibition bay. A drawing room meeting at the house ot Mrs King, Cameron load, was conducted by Mrs Sandilands, and resulted in one member joining our ranks. At a recent meeting of our Union we had the pleasure of welcoming two of our Willard workers, on their marriage, toour older organisation. Uur last meeting was heid on August 30th, when Mrs Evans was appointed Leal superintendent of medal contest work. 1 he forthcoming visit of Mr Bligh was discussed, mention oeing made of the success attending his work in Wellington. A good report was given ot the free reading-room, the promoters’ hearts being cheered by men having expressed their gratitude for such a room being made available for their use without the temptation ot the tar. This room is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and all expenses have been met thus tar by private douatious. The Union voted Xi for the Committee's use. Nelson. At the August meeting it vas decided to inaugurate a Cradle Rob in connection with our Union. Miss Gascoigne kindly undertook to endeavour to have important items of temperance news insetted in the local daily papers. One member repotted two signatures to tiie total a >stineuce pledge. In place of ordinary meeting next month, we ate holding a public social gathering, and are asking ministers in the district to give Short addresses. We hope by this means, tot nlist the sympathy of manywomen not connected with our l nion. New Plymouth. At our meeting, held August 21) til, a great deal of correspondence was dealt with. A

reply was received from the Town Clerk granting us, conditionally, the use of the Ladies’ Rest Room, in the Town Hall, for a further term. Arrangements were made for our sale of work and also for a sew ing bee, to renovate garments for distribution among the needy. Tariki On August 7th we held a social. Mr Jem>eson took the chair, and introduced the district President, Mrs Douglas, who had come from New Plymouth. Her address was both encouraging and helpful. Various other items and refreshments filled up a pleasant evening, and the proceeds provide us with a fund to carry on the work. WaimateAt our last two meetings we have given social attention to purity, readings on the subject l>eing given hy Mesdames Borrie, Sharpe and Morrison, and an excellent address on “ The Power of Womanhood ” by Miss Smart. We distributed a number of booklets on the subject, and nave a small lending library of purity books, under the management of our Purity Superintendent, Mrs Graham. The question of comfort hags was brought up, and probably something will be done in that line. Whano^aiei. This branch, although not reported, has Ihm3Q working on steadily during the six months of its existence. Two quarterly tation socials have l>een held, and largely attended. The first was addressed hy the ministers of the town, and much interest ’.vas evinced in our new branch. The second gathering was held on August 2Hth, and quits* a number of visitors were with us, to learn more of us and our methods. We are particularly fortunate in having the free use of a splendid room, owned by Harrison and Son , for all our meetings. Our workers decorated the room and laid out the tables with delightful effect, and a very nice programme of music was arranged. The President, Mrs Jas. Hutchinson, was in the chair, and gave a short resume of the work attempted so far. 'Phis included papers and discussions on the use of alcohol by nursing mothers, and in sickness and convalescence. Scientific temperance instruction 'in schools, anti-gambling, narcotics and cigarette smoking, had all been considered, and action taken where possible. Hospital visitors and superintendents for Press work, unfermented wine, home meetings, literature and medal contests had been appointed. Mrs Hill, of the Salvation Army, gave a splen did address on “ Women’s influence,” urging onmothers the need of prayer with their little ones, noting some of the evils that meet even the little school children, and relating her ow n experiences when visiting hotels on Saturday nights, where young lads were being ruin**d. As a result of the social, eleven new names were addded W our roll, which now numbers fifty.