THE W.C.T.U. AT THE EXHIBITION.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 139, 15 December 1906, Page 9

THE W.C.T.U. AT THE EXHIBITION.

Hie most cosmopolitan I lav in the Exhibition, probably, is tliat of the W.C.T.U. For instance, facing tin* entrance to the Hay are portraits of the Queen of Sweden and lu r two little grand-daughters, and Lriuee and Princess heruad<>tte of Sweden all these are total abstainers. \ T ot far away i" the portrait of Miss Annie Kenny, the English working woman suffragist, helow is that of Ihindita Raniahai, who is devoting her life to the salvation ot the child widows of India. Lower still are curios in the form o! armlets, etc., from India. A picture «<f a lirstclass restaurant, run on I’emperancc lines, in Stockholm, is not far from photographs of groups of L.T.Ls. in Hulgaria :>ud Madras, a Children's Home established by the W.0.1M .at Pi.rt Elizabeth, and tin* head-quarter* of the W.C.T.U at Perth.

In a cupboard at one side are specimen" of drawn thread and other beautiful work done by the inmates of Lady I leurv Somerset s Home" for Inebriate Women at Ihixliurst. On a shelf with attractive-looking curios from Asiatic countries is a hat (which looks like a bowl ) made by a North American Red Indian, and sent h\ the friend who is doing Temjjeranee work among the lieu Skins. In close proximity is a parcel of work and cunos presented bv the W.C.T.I . of South Africa.

A stand i" heavily weighted with literature printed in divers tongues. Here are a Chinese Hible, a booklet in Sanscrit, an illustrated physiological work in the Assyrian language, pi ;dge cards in Arabic, etc., etc. Among the portraits recently received are those of the great Mrs Klizaheth Fry, Miss Florence Nightingale, and the total abstaining Royalties of Sweden mentioned above. A photograph of the statue of Sister Dora has also just come to hand Informing, educative posters are an important part of the exhibit. I liese

have been specially prepared and deal with such subjects as Scientific I cmperanee Instructicn among the Nations, Countries in which the W .(MM . is at Work, with name* of the departments of work and world s superintendents. Reforms gained in New Zealand since the granting of Woman Suffrage in IXdd, and What X.X. Women Wish to Gain. Miss Roberts finds ample opportunity for educational work ; in fact, the Pay has at times almost more visitors than she can attend to. A cottage near the Armagh street entrance is another scene of activity under the auspices of the W.C.T.U. It is a Rest Room for children, built and furnished at the expense of the Exhibition authorities, who also pay for the services of the two attendants. Ihe idea of providing such a loom, however, emanated from the W.C. I 1 ~ and the Commissioners gladly entrusted the earning out of the plan and the whole management »>l the I loom to Mrs Cole and her e udjutors. The R'K»in is exceedingly spacious, and tin* floor is covered with cork linoleum, with rugs here and there. The eastern end has a dozen tempting looking cots'.a fresh pillow slip being provided for each little sleeper). At the other end are rocking horses, tiny rocking chairs, swing chairs, etc., etc., while large, low windows looking north and west provide plenty of sun and light, and will give the toddlers a good view of the outside world. A door opens into a lavatory (with a goodly supply of sponges and towels) where mother* may bathe soiled faces and grimy lingers. Food left by the mother will be given if desired, or milk and biscuits may be purchased for the children. The charge is very low, ‘hi j>er hour I mm* head, hut not more than Gd will be charged it the child is left the whole afternoon or day. It can he imagined what a boon the Lest will be to mothers who wish to see the Kxhibition, or spend ail hour or two in the Art Gallery, Concert Hall or elsewhere.

It need scarcely be said that here, as in tin* Hay, a good supply of W.C.T.U. literature is ready for free distribution t< the mothers. The Union Cradle R HI is also in evidence, and names have already been secured. CONTRIBUTING UNIONS. Appended are the names of the Unions that have forwarded subscrip-

tions towards the expenses of t be I lay : Whangarei, Ponsonby, Onebunga, IVtone, Stratford, Hleiilieiin, Matapu, Rangiora, Masterton, Kniupoi, Wainiate, Hamilton, Woodend, Tariki, Port Chalmers, Auckland, < Uaiitau, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wanganui, Napier, Timaru, New Plymouth, South I >ll nodi 11, Gore, Invercargill, Devonport, and I iVttelton.

It will be seen that only ball of the Unions have :•■* yet contributed towards the Hay. Money is urgently needed t<» pav accounts. W ill dilatory Unions please note and promptly forward generous subscriptions.