W.C.T.U. BAY AT THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, CHRISTCHURCH.

White Ribbon, Volume 13, Issue 155, 16 April 1908, Page 20

W.C.T.U. BAY AT THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, CHRISTCHURCH.

In connection with this W.C.T.U. exhibit. every effort was made to show the world wide extent of our organisation, and the comprt In nsive scope of the work undertaken by White Kibboners. All our \\ w Zealand Unions were represent'd. and among foreign nations, the folk wing: England, Ireland. Scotland. India. Bulgaria. Greece. Andaman Is-

binds, Germany. Syria. Egypt, Sweden, South and Western Australia, Queensland. Victoria. Cape Colony, and the United States. The Women's Suffrage movement in the following countries was also represented: Great Britain, South America. United States. Canada, Italy, Eranoe. Switzerland, Germany. Norway, Sweden, and Armenia. Pictures of eminent tini|« ranee doctors, clergymen, and philanthropists, and of temperance institutions in various parts of the world were strongly in evidence. Literature

dialing with all phases of White Ribbon work was to be found in various languages. Interesting diagrams and colour, d maps, showing the No-license area, in New Zealand and the United States, were displayed. An autograph album was in evidence, and many inten sting autographs, along with the sentiments of the writers, were obtained, tin writer de|>ositing the sum of Is. towards the funds of the Ray. Visitors to the Ray were very numerous. Over fj.ooo leaflets on various subjects relating

to our department of work were given away. Over 1,000 names of people interested were inscribed in the visitors' book. Many of these came from foreign countries, and evinced much interest in our local option laws and their results. Conversation was held with several thousands of persons, and very many more were spoken to. The visitor.: came from all parts of the world, and tome proved very interesting a professional swimmer and an oi>eratic star by no means the least so. An old gentleman came especially to see Florence Nightingale's picture, and with tears in his eyes spoke of her goodness and devotion. A lady came with her husband to see Frances Willard’s likeness and told enthusiastically of that wonderful personality and her marvellous power and work. w r hile a gentleman who had heard her speak in London, said he had never seen such a kind face in his life. An American bar-tender inquired for the likeness of Mrs. Carrie Nation, telling us that she had smashed his bar for him. He told us of the suffering borne by Mrs. Nation owing to the drinking habits of those nearest and dearest to her. Cur Hay proved of great educational value, and no one could walk round that small space and see its walls packed from floor to ceiling with photographs, maps, diagrams, curios, and leaflets without becoming more or less enthused. The Children’s Rest was opened soon after the Exhibition, and was a great success, under the able management of Mrs. Field. Over 1300 children were received during the Exhibition term, and in numbers varying from a dozen up to seventy at a time. Little children of all ages were guarded and tended by members oi the Christchurch Union, while the mothers walked round the Exhibition in ease and comfort. The Christchurch members deserve all praise for their self-denying devotion in giving up whole days to this arduous work. Here, also, literature was distributed, and many mothers spoken to as to the rearing and feeding of children. In closing this report. I must say that the New Zealand Unions owe a great debt to Miss Roberts for her splendid educational and unselfish work, carried on often undermost trying conditions. To Mrs. Cole, too, our warmest thanks are due for so ably superintending the whole arrangements of the Bay. RUTH DAY, Hon. Sec. for W.C.T.U. Bay.