NOTES AND COMMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 14, Issue 150, 15 November 1907, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Nominations for New Zealand W C T U. Oflotn. Onl\ two I’nions (Kaiapoi and New Plymouth k have as yet sent in nominations for N. Z. officers. Each of these Cnions wishes to reinstate tin* ladies at present holding office viz.. Mrs Cole. President; Miss A. Webb. Corresponding Secretary; Miss Powell. Recording Secretary : and Miss McCarthy. Treasurer. * # * New Union at Riverton. During her journcyings in the South of the Dominion. Miss Murcutt organised a branch of the W.C.T.C. at Riverton. Forty-five ladies gave in their names as members, and the officers are: President, Mrs Cray; Vice-President, Mrs Eostoii; Secretary. Miss liorlaml. We congratir late the Riverton friends on the formation of so strong a Cnioii. and wish them speedy and permanent success in their work. • * * The Ashburton W C.T.U. and the Band Contest. lUder the superintendency of Mrs kill, the Ashburton 111 ion last month most wisely launched out in a new direction hv entertaining the visiting bandsmen during the hand contest in that nolicense town. The expense was. of course, considerable, but the greater part was met by gifts in kind and money collected by Mrs kill, and the balance (some t!C>* was. we understand. met by one of (toil's good stewards, who had guaranteed to make good any deficiency. Mrs kill says : “ We entertained them for the honour of our town. We knew the other side would try to make them drunk and then say 110lieense is no good, so tin* Cnion took it up.” It is safe to say that, whatever their drinking proclivities, those visiting musicians will henceforth cherish a warmer feeling for W.C.T.C. work and workers.

Literary Successes. —After long delay, the results of tin* literary; competitions held in connection with the late International Exhibition have been announced. The premier position in each class is taken by a woman ; in fact, in Class 1., the first four places are credited to women. The names in order of merit an* : Class I, Ethel Eorie. Laura Morrison, Jessie Abernethy, Jessie Hard ay ; (lass 11. Jessie .Maekay (Christchurch L W. A. Elsiim (.Melbourne), 11. T. Gibson (Raglan), X. V. IMulpott (Perth), A. 11. Itarkla (Terang. Victoria). J. M. Cook (New IMymonth). * # *

Canterbury Domestic Workers.— The I nion of Domestic Workers has issued a circular setting forth the conditions of labour which it intends to submit to the Arbitration Court for settlement. It is suggested that twelve classes of workers shall he recognised, and that the minimum wages shall range from (housekeepers. cooks. et'\) t‘l to (mothers' helps) Ss. The week’s work is not to exceed seventv-one hours.

A State Government and a Temperance Worker. From a Melbourne exchange we learn that Mrs Harrison Lee arrived in Western Australia in September, and has since been at work there. “The Government gave her a first-class railway pass for the whole of tin* State, together with permission to visit the State schools, and address the scholars.”

Legislation for Women Workers. We have always . objected to special legislation, limiting the hours women may work in factories, and classing adult women with lads in their teens. Mrs Swinev, in “Women's Franchise.” tells us that the New York Court of Appeal has sustained the judgment of the lower Court in declaring that it is unconstitutional to limit the number of hours women may work in factories. Judge Grey remarked that “the right of the Stat« to restrict or regulate the labour and employment of children is umpiestionahle ; hut an adult female is not to he regarded as a ward of the State, or in anv other

light than flu* man is regarded when the question relates b# the business pursuits or railing. . . . Considerations of her physical differences are sentimental, and find no proper place in the discussion of the constitutionality of the Act.” * * # Heathen China and Christian England. The little monthly, ‘‘llritain’s Opium Harvest/’ speaks strongly with regard to England's answer to the anti-opium proposals of the Chinese (Jovernment. “ It is humiliating to think that we are to follow China, which we call a heathen country, in her efforts to save her people from further degradation. instead of being willing, as a Christian country, to lead the way. It is known that China wanted to propose a much shorter time than ten years for the abolition of the trade." The I*Jth May last, when d.OOO opium shops were closed in Foochow, was a day of general rejoicing throughout tin* city. Flags were Hying, processions of students paraded the streets with banners, and great public demonstrations were held in different parts of the city. * * * The Gambler’s Prayer Canon Horsley, speaking as a Prison chaplain. said recently at a meeting held at Norwood. Condon, that no prisoner seemed to him to be more hopeless than the confirmed gambler ; his only prayer, apparently, was, ‘‘(Jive me this day my brother’s daily bread without my having to give him anything in return.”