News of the Unions.

White Ribbon, Volume 15, Issue 172, 16 October 1909, Page 3

News of the Unions.

[The Editor cannot promise to insert anything in th* next issue that does not reach her by the Bth of the month. Correspondents are requested to write their Reports as concisely as possible, on one side of the paper only. Newspaper cutting are unsuitable.] TIMARU. There w&i an unusually large attendance at our W.C.T.U. meeting as a result of Mrs Stevenson’s visit. We looked for blessing, we asked f or it, and now record our grateful thanks. Twenty-seven new members are added to our roll. Letters of sympathy were sent to local members on account of bereavement, also a letter to Mr Rankin commending him for not opening the Caroline Ray Tea Rooms on Sunday. It was decided to start a“ Y Union immediately. We are urging the No-License League to set the hall rolling at once to try and secure Mrs Stevenson’s services during our Election year. Mr Stead reported a quiet month. Our box of clothing and three frozen sheep are now on their way to London, and we are beliving more is to follow. Three new members were enrolled. To get through business more quickly it was decided the Executive deal with it first. DUNEDIN.

Mrs Stevenson arrived in Dunedin on September 16th. A public reception was held the same evening in the Early Settler’s Hall. His worship the Mayor welcomed Mrs Stevenson on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, also representatives of the different temperance bulges. The stage was prettily decorated with banners of victory, iuscrilied with the names of the various No-License districts in the Dominion, the Union Jack, the Stars ami Stripes, and the New Zealand ensign. Mrs Rlair presided, and Mrs Don presented Mrs Stevenson with a beautiful shower bouquet. On Thursday afternoon a women's mass meeting was held in the Early Settler’s Hall Mrs Stevenson’s subject was, “ What Frances E. Willard Taught Society. Mrs Stevenson said that for years she was acquainted with and in working fellowship with the woman who gave to the World the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. One of the greatest lessons we could learn from France’s Willard’s life was the value to the development of character of a good heredity and a good environment. Miss Willard used to say, in her own native way, “ 1 was well bom,” meaning thereby not the boast of those w ho spoke of aristocratic lineage, but that as far Lack as she could trace her people were a line of God-fearing, humanity-loving, ami humanity-serving men and women Such a heritage, which means a good home, is ope of (lod’s greatest gifts. Her environ-

ment was also such as to favour the development of a great woman. At the evening meeting Mrs Stevenson took for her subject, “ Evidence from the States,’ and dealt comprehensively with the early days of the tight for No-License. “My text is the map of my country in black snd white.” The black represented the areas in which the legalised liquor traffic still obtained, ami the white space that from w here it had been driven out by the will of the people. “ Look at the white.’ she said, “ Up in the corner there, that’s Maine.” The State of Maine had a prohibitory law l*efore she was born and she was not a young woman ; and it had l>een the policy ever sinoe. The lower areas had also made rapid and effective strides. Speaking on this subject she proposed to say a few words on some portions of the second chapter of the second Epistle to Timothy. Attention was drawn to the exhortation to “ be strong,” and she applied these words to the W.C T.U. in its w’ork. Weakness led the way to sin, and the rising generation ought to l>e impressed with the necessity of being strong. On 18th SeptemW, in her afternoon address, speaking of the liquor trade, she said it was l**ing driven bark, but it would not die easily ; it was going to make a stand for its very life, and it behoved the temperance people to pass on the message to be strong, otherwise the work that had proved so effective would pass away. She advocated that the women should organise and form themselves into a great recruiting army.

At the evening meeting Mrs Blair again presided, and Mrs Stevenson spoke from, “shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law.” Mrs Stevenson altered this to “ Will you continue to legalise the liquor tratlic in your community, ami shall a throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee which frameth mischief by a law !” On Sunday afternoon Mrs Stevenson addressed a large meeting of both sexes, and on Monday evening was one of the «peakers at the great temperance meeting held in the Garrison Hall.

A drawing-room meeting was held on September 22nd at the residence of Mrs A. S. Adams, to bid farewell to Mrs Katherine L. Stevenson. Mrs Stevenson spoke on the work in America, and of the “ Y s.” In Christchurch Mrs Stevenson was given a reception by the newly organised Y s, whose membership is over TO, and who are doing splendid work. At the close of the meeting a large nutnlter of the young ladies liecame memliers of the Union. A Dunedin branch of the Y’s was organised, making a total of 50 new memliers since the Stevenson Mission l>egan. In the evening Mrs Stevenson addressed her last meeting in Dunedin in the N.E. Valley Hall; her subject was, “The Evolution and work of the W.C.T.U.”

The monthly meeting of the Union was held on Thursday, Septeml>er 9th, Mrs South presiding. Correspondence re literature and the nature of alcoholic drinks was read and well discussed. As a result it was decided to order two dozen of the “ Safe Remedies in Illness " leaflets. Such literature as is advertised in the White Ribbon columns often contains the latest findings of scientific men in simple and concise form, and the hope was expressed that by reading ami distributing these we might in a modest way l>egin some really educational work ’“The Rower of Womanhood was

mentioned as a work that should l>e read by every woman, and particularly every mother. Mrs South and Miss McCarthy reported having attended a flourishing meeting of the Band of Hope held in the Wesley Church Schoolroom. The latter addressed the children for a short space, ami found a very attentive and sympathetic audience. LOWER MUTT. At our monthly meeting a resolution was passed deploring the fact that so much Sunday drinking was lieing indulged in. One young man acknowledge I that among a group 96 bottles of beer had been emptied. A mother pleaded w ith one of our menil»ers to use influence w ith the proper authorities and try and stem the tide of this curse among the boys. Our Uuion is giving a stall at the No-License Bazaar. £2 was voted to the No-License League to help to defray the costs of the election court case. Mrs Lee was maue literature Superintendent. Several of our member# have gone to other parts, and w’e miss their aid.

NO A ERE. At the monthly meeting held last Thursday afternoon at the residence of Mrs Manly, an account of Mrs Lent Stevenson’s visit to New Plymouth was read by Mrs Morison, also a report of the District Convention. Four of the Ngaere members availed themselves of the kind hospitality of the New Plymonth Union, and found the meetings helpful as well as most enjoyable. A paper by Mrs Wei on Medical Temperance was also read last Thursday, and it was decided to send for six dozen copies of “ Safe remedies in illness ” for distribution in the district. TAURANGA. The usual monthly meeting was held on September drd, the President (Mrs P. Munro), presiding. A cheering report was read from the leaders of the Band of Hope. They hope to do much successful work among the young A packet of Parity literature sent by Mrs Webb was distributed among the members for lending purposes. - On Tuesday, Septemlier 9th, an open meeting was held in the Good Templar s Hall, to which all non-members were invited. The attendance was not so large as anticipated ow ing to the inclement weather. Stirring addresses were delivered by Revs. Wilson and Hopper, ami musical items given. Afternoon tea was dispensed, and a most enjoyable time was spent.

NORTH EAST VALLEY. Our first annual meeting was held on Thnrsday afternoon, August 26th, in the Young Men’s Institute, when there was a very larue attendance of members, also a number of friends from other Unions. Mrs Mason occupied the chair. The meeting was opened with praise and prayer, and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The president gave a short address, emphasising the wonderful success that had attended our Union, and what should lie our aims for the future. The Secretary ami Treasurer’s reports were read and adopted. The office-liearers were all reelected. Mrs Blair, President of the Dunedin Union, and Mrs Don both gave excellent addresses, ami spoke very encouragingly of the work which our Union had begun. A letter was

read from Mrs Hislop, who whs from home, conveying her la*st wishes. Refreshments were hamleil routul, ami a very enjoyable time was spent. The usual monthly meeting was hel l on 22nd September Mrs Mason presided. After devotional exercises, and the usual business, the initiatory service was read, five new members joining the Union. A Vocal solo was appreciated. Sister Young, who is working in this locality, spoke a few helpful words, basing her remarks on the words found in Chronicles : “1 be Mittlu is the Lord's." The meeting dueed with the Bcnediotion. NELSON. At the September mouthy meeting the approaching visit of Miss Powell was fully discussed, and a small committee set up to make arrangements. A book and magazine club has reoently been formed, its objeot being the systematic dissemination of useful and helpful reading matter among the members. Two copies of “ American Motherhood,’ a monthly magazine, have been ordered, ami it is proposed to procare other suitable books.

KAIAPOI. Our last meeting took the form of a social, when there was a large attendance, friends being present from ltaugiora and Woodend. The Secretary read a very aide paper by Mrs Neal, of Napier, on ‘‘Medical I'emperance.” Mi** McPherson was elected Superintendent of thiit department. It was decided that each member should donate an article, or article*, toward* the sale of work to In* held shortly at Oimku in aid of the Maori Girl* College, Reference was made to Mrs Willev’.s departure from Kaiapoi, and regret expressed at the lo** it would mean to the Union, and a vote of thank*passed to Mrs \\ illey for her many past service*, and wishing her t»ml-speed ill her new life. Mr* <L black w ell and Miss McPherson gave interesting report* of the recent Convention in Tinmru, Mi*s McPherson dwell ng more particularly nu the good wmk the Timaru ladies are doing in connection with the Sailor'* Rest. Mrs Mclntosh, of Creymnuth, spoke a few words about the work they are doing amoug*t the sailors Solos w’ere gnen, and refreshment* handed round The coffee room committee will act as a hand committee to make the room attractive for the use t*f the bandsmen during the forthcoming band contest. Two new memlrers were initiated. GISBORNE.

Our monthly meeting was held in the Presbyterian schoolroom on Thursday, Septemlier Dili. Hearty appreciation of Mr* K. L Stevenson’* services on her recent visit here was unanimously expressed (eight addresses in all were given by her here). Reports were received from the literature and visiting committee and treasurer It is proposed to form a Maori Union. Nome extracts were read from the address of Or Batchelor to the Society for the Promotion of the Health of Women ami Children. A discussion followed, and was adjourned. INVERCARGILL Mrs Stevenson arrived here on Septemlier 23rd. Mrs McGruer gave «ii afternoon tea to the member* of the Union on Friday. Ou Saturday the Mayor accorded her a civic reception. The Rotunda was surrounded by an interested crowd. Mrs Stevenson spoke ou the increased

vote for prohibition in America lieing in great measure the result of scientific temperance instruction m tin* schools. The local Union, through their president, presented a garden seat for the use of the public in the Post Office s*i uare, which the Mayor, on liehalf of the town, hc opted, after which the Mayoress entertained the members of the Union to afternoon tea. On Sunday afternoon the young people tilled the Victoria Hall to listen to Mrs Stevenson’s appeal, and at night the crowd was so great that many could not gain admittance to hear her splendid address on “Christian Citizenship " Some of our memlters went to the Bluff the next day to *ee our esteemed visitor aboard the steamer. We trust to reap fruit of increased number* and interest in the future.

AUCKLAND. On September Bth we had a splendid address from the Rev. Cocker, Mr* Thorpe, Vice-Presi-dent, occupied the chair owing to our President's illness. The Rev. Cocker related many interesting items in connection with a recent trip to England, telling of the appalling amount of drinking among women, and how he had received inspiration for temperance work from his visit* to the London slums Mr Cooker said if military training is to Ik; made compulsory for our hoys we must protest against liquor at the encampment. He urged all present to do their part in tiiis great reform. ()ii Septemlier 29 th we had asocial afternoon Miss M. Hughes undertook the responsibility of tbe programme. Songs and recitations given by ten little girls specially trained by her were much appreciated. Miss Kaspaoand Miss I’udehope also sang. Mbs Watson gave an address dealing with women’s work in the temperance reform. Afternoon tea was dispensed. There lias been a growing interest in our meetings, uml we have had the pleasure of initiating new members.

FEILDING. On September 17th the Women's Franchise was celebrated by holding a social at Mrs Frost’s, which was well attended. Tile President gave an interesting address on the hook, ‘ Scouting for Roys," and mothers were urged to procure it for their hoys. Mrs Snow, from Palmerston, »p<*ke on women’s work in the world, alluding to the supreme work of rightly training hoys and girls, and urged all to seek Divine help. September 27th.—Misn Powell gave an in teresting and much needed address t<» girls ou Purity. There was a good attendance. Purity literature was distributed. Septemlier 30tli --Miss Powell met the inemliers of the W C.T.U., and gave them many useful hints re woik. October nth.- A public social was held. Four new members were added to our roll.

PONSONBY.

The usual monthly meeting was held on Septemlier 9th in (Queen s Hall, Paget Street. Mrs Vickers, \ ice-Pre*ident, presided. Mrs A Thorn, through ill health, is again reluctantly compelled to resign the presidency. Circulars from various N Z. Union Superintendents of work were read and discussed. A very sad incident w as reported by a memlier. Early in the evening a woman, very well dressed, was found lying on the road at Herne Rav helplessly intoxicated with a bottle of whisky at her side. A very interesting and

able paper on medical temperance by Mrs Neal, of Napier, was read and discussed. Decided that this valuable paper lie read at a drawing room meeting to Ik* held.

PALMERSTON NORTH. The monthly meeting was held on October Ist, there being a large attendance of niemliers. Mr* Snow presidi*d. Mis* Powell gave a very inspiring address on her work amongst the Maoris which wa*. greatly appreciated bv tin* memliers. YVn w< uld like all our Uni uTs along the line to let their members know that we nr** having tea room* at the Show ami any who come must he sure to look us up. PAKI PAKI Native ) On September Oth M ** Powell addressed a meeting ot Maoris describing the commencement of the W.C.T U in America, she was accompanied by Mrs Te Thu who interpreted for her and Miss Stirling. She also showed some diagrams of the internal organs in their natural state and the way alcohol and smoking ad ou them ; a very enjoyable afternoon was spent. Afternoon tea was provided by Mrs M< hi.

The Paki Paki Union has been working two year* and ha* a membership of about thirty of whom ten joiued last meeting.