REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 142, 15 March 1907, Page 13

REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.

LITERATURE REPORT. If each Union could ap|K)int a Superiu tcndcnt for this work, much more could be accomplished. There is great need for more information in every branch of our work, and literature is a most valuable agent in supplying up-to-date facts and statements. During the past year, literature of a varied kind has been circulated, and the supplies have been obtained from different sources, so we have no account of if in our financial statement. Parcels of literature have been sent into the country places, or supplied to vessels, and to sailors in “comfort-bags. to reading rooms, waiting rooms, as well as placed in the boxes at railway stations. The Purity question has interested almost every Union, and literature on the sub jcct has been bought and circulated more extensively than usual, this being supplied by Mr Hligh, the White Cross agent, and our Purity Superintendent. Temperance literature has not been much in demand during the year. Auckland has supplied boxes in the railway stations, sent literature into tin* country, circulated eight copies of the “White Ribbon" paper monthly, supplied Testa meats and Temperance literature to sailors, and provided t- worth of books as prizes for the Bible in Schools work. Ouehunga has circulated Anti smoking literature among young men and boys, obtained recitations for young people, .and circulated Purity literature among girls and boys. New Plymouth has supplied the Rest room with Temperance literature, sent a parcel to bushmen, and distributed the publication “On the Line” to the railway men, by whom it is highly appreciated. Literature has also been distributed in other ways by members and friends. Waitaia reports having given lit< rature to vessels that have visited their port, and the “White Ribbon ” pa|**r is placed in the Public Reading Room. Christchurch has done a great deal of work in selecting and procuring literature for the Exhibition Bay, both for sale, and distribution, as well as for exhibition on the walls of the Bay. Though the report of their labours may not occupy much space, we must all agree that they have done splendid work for our cause, for which we heartily congratulate them.

The Union has also sent literature to stations, and has supplied men working on the railwav line.

Ponsonby.—The “White Ribbon paper is supplied to those members who cannot subscribe for it. The Cradle Roll opens a Hold for the distribution of literature, which the visitor is supposed to leave for the mother's perusal. Blenheim keeps literature before the public. The railway boxes are kept supplied, also a parcel has been sent out to the back-blocks. Lyttelton supplies parcels of literature ,11 vessels leaving the port. Tracts are given to seamen who visit the Rest on Sunday evenings. The “Union Signal is taken by the Union, .Maori leaflets, and other reading matter, has been distributed among the Maoris at Rapaki. Wanganui keeps the town and Aramoho station boxes regularly supplied with literature, and has reason to think that it is appreciated. Whangarei Union appointed two superintendents for the distribution of litera ture in the country districts round about Whangarei, also to sick people in the hospital. Devonport has circulated literature regularly in the district, and sent parcels into country places. Waikari has circulated Anti-gambling, Durity, and other literature, and also sent parcels into the country. The Wellington Union supplies boxes at tin* railway station. The “ White Ribbon is distributed in the hospital, Nurses Nome, and the Home for the Aged and Nerdv, also books on Social Purity in factories in Wellington South, and to the girls who attend the W.C.T.U. Room. Napier has a large undertaking in t lie Free Reading Room, also distributes literature in waiting room and other ways. Ashburton has supplied the “White Ribbon” ami Purity and other papers to the girls' dining room. (ireymouth has distributed a good deal of reading matter during the year to the boats in port, railway station, etc., and for the greater part of the year a local Temperance paper has been circulated. Nelson and other Unions have been active in similar ways. We know because of sending supplies, but a report of their work has not been reeeived. The work of the department, however, is rather seriously handicapped by goods on hand in which money is locked tip that ought to l*e circulating : one line, which is exceedingly good, and should lie heipful in

our work, is just lying idle, there is 110 demand for them at all. We have a capital New Zealand story called “The Angel lsafrel, by the late CL M. Reed. It is highly interesting, and very good, the published price being 1/- each, but I can now supply them at Hd. per copy, and every Union ought certainly to keep a few circulating. In the interval between the Local Option Poll, people can read and think things over, and form an intel ligent opinion, much better than when the stir ami conflict of a Parliamentary elec tiou is also under discussion. So 1 would kindly urge all our Unions, and workers, to “sow beside all waters, for we know not which shall prosper, this or that, or whether both shall be alike good. Receipts.

(boids in hand to the value of £lll. 11. G. HUGHES.

£ S. i >1. Balance from last year .. 5 18 1 By salt* <»t literature .. 1 »; £8 lit < Expenditure. £ H. 1 •I. Purchase of oihhIs .. 1 :* »; Postage .. 1 9 v Balance in hand . . ti t) £8 lit