News of the Unions.

White Ribbon, Volume 16, Issue 185, 15 November 1910, Page 3

News of the Unions.

[The Editor cannot promise to insert anything in tiie next issue that din ?* not reach her by the Bth of the month. Correspondents an* requested to write their Reports as concisely as possible, on one side **f the paper only. Newspaper cutting* are unsuitable.] HASTINGS. At our last meeting in St. Andrew’s Hall, the President in the chair, three new members were initiated. Several present promised the Secretary they would give their help to the work of the Rami of Hope. M ANA lA. October 7th. Four new inemliers were enrolled at the meeting held at the residence of Mrs Parkinson. A paper was read on “ Medical lemperance,’ which showed the larg'* per centage of alcohol in so-called wine tonics which are so harm;ul, and taken by so many in ignorance. The President read an extract showing the great progress of Masterton under No-License. The \\ hitk Ribbon Agent ami “Cradle Roll ” Superintendent gave most encouraging reports. Song ami recitation concluded, with the enjoyable cup of tea, a successful meeting. WANGANUI. Octoiler .’list, Mrs Upton presided. Miss Henry gave a recitation, which was much appreciated. Mrs Henry gave an address dealing with the responsibility of the English people with regard to the opium traffic in China. The hindrances in the propagation of the Gospel by the English speaking people are the opium ami liquor traffic. I’he address was listened to with intense interest and the following resolutions carried:—“This meeting, while thankful for the beginning which has lieen made by the British Government in curtailing the export of opium from India, is of opinion—(l) TV at the traffic, having lieen repeatedly declared to lie ‘ morally indefensible should, in response to China’s heroic efforts, be ended much more speedily than the existing ten years’arrangement contemplates ; (2) That in the meanwhile China should lie left entirely free to deal with the import of opium as she pleases.” Eleven new inemliers hail the badge pinned on by Mrs Henry. Novemlier 4th. Mrs Upton presided ami spoke of the beneficial results of tlie HenryPot ts Mission. Correspondence was read and discussed. Regret was expressed at the serious illness of one of our inemliers ami sympathy sent to her. Seven new' members were welcomed. NORTH-EAST VALLEY. October 2ffth. Mrs I). Sinclair Mason presided. and introduced Mr Forties, of Sawyer’s Ray, who explained the object of the “ League of Service, and enlisted the sympathy and help of the ladies to start one in the Valley.

Being the quarterly Evangelistic Service, Rev. 11. R. Gray addressed the meeting, urging inemliers to Ik* whole-hearted in tlieir service for Christ, ami the great need for meeting together for prayer for the evangelization of the world. HAWERA. October 13th, Mrs Duxtield presided. Four new inemliers were initiated ami the names of seventeen gentlemen were handed in as wishing to liecoine honorary inemliers. A paper, kindly sent by Miss Powell, on “ Why Women Fear Motherhood,” was read. It was decided to hold a Temperance meeting after the Church services on Sunday evening. Novemlier 13th. Miss Taylor reported on Hospital work.

TIMARU. Oc toiler 25th, Mrs Huh* presided. Correspondence was read ami discussed from Miss Maunder, Sir J. (». W ard. Mr (Yaigie, and New Zealand Alliance. Mr Stead’s report showed a very quiet month, 44 sailors paying (i 8 visits. A social had lieen given to the men on the llangitira, while she was in |iort. KAIAPOI. October With. Mrs T. G. Blackwell ami others were deputed to visit the \\ aikari Union on 2nd Novemlier, when Mrs Hlaekwell will give her report of the District Convention Meadames Ward ami Mitchell were elected Delegates to the No-License Council. Mrs G. 11. Blackwell read an interesting paper, written by Miss Smart, of Waimate, on “ The Ideal Member,’ which evoked discussion. LOWER HUTT. At the meeting held in the Hall, Queen’s Road, correspondence from Mesdames Peryinau and Jemison was read. The medal contest in ham! will take place on Novemlier 18th, when a good meeting is anticipated. A particular request was made that all Superintendents bring in their reports to the next meeting, w hich is the annual one. PETONE. Oetolier 11th. Various subjects were discussed, one asking the School Committees to allow' Temperance placards to he hung on the walls of our schools, also on the alleged sale of cigarettes at confectioners’ shops on Wednesday afternoons. The “ Cradle Roll’ Superintendent reported that splendid work had l*een done in her Department. It was decided to hold a large (warden Party at an early date to procure funds for the Christmas gift which is sent away every year to a charitable institute.

CHRISTCHURCH. Oetolier 11 tli. A letter was received from the Waimate Union relative to railway advertisements, a-king for interest and assistance when the matter was brought before Parliament, ami a resolution was carried unanimously urging the Government to take over and control the railway advertising for the future as a Railway Sub-Department, or, as an alternative, to provide that the terms of the next contract shall lie such as to make it impossible for the liquor party to have a monopoly of the advertising on the State Railways. The attention of the Government was also drawn to the necessity for an alteration of the present absurd position with regard to advertisements in magazines, 4c., left in waiting rooms, and also for preventing the display of liquor ail-

vertisements on Sta*,e property in districts where No-License is n force.

A celebration of “ Franchise Day was then held, the President ami others giving addresses and papers emphasizing the value of the vote, not only to advance the cause of women s freedom ami progress, but to assist in securing the passing of humanitarian legislation for the lieuetit of the community at large. Sjiecial meetings have been held weekly to complete the numerous arrangements necessary in connection with the luncheon tent at the A. and P. Show. A considerable extension of the Union’s operations is being arranged for, a permanent building having been erected on the Show grounds providing enlarged ami improved accommodation for the public. SOUTH DUNEDIN. Oetolier 13th, in the Wesley Church Schoolroom. Correspondence was read from Mrs Jamieson, re Anti-Gambling, ami resulted in the election of Mrs Hancock as Superintendent of this D* partinent. Discussion on the subject brought to light the faet that three widely different organisations—the Salvation Army, the Juvenile Templars, and the Boy Scouts—all make abstention from gambling in any shape or form compulsory for their members. Mrs Routledge read interesting extracts liearing on her Department—“ Cradle Roll.” Arrangements were made for the annual meeting to lie held next month.

HAMILTON. The President occupied the chair at the meeting held in the Methodist Classroom. Short reports from Cambridge ami Ngaruawahia were read with interest. It was decided to send 10/- towards the money spent ill buying new clothing ami hoots for Maori girls who lost everything in the tire at the Hukarere Native School. FEILIHNG. November 3rd, Mrs Spence kindly entertained our inemliers at her licautiful home. Annual reports were read. Officers w’ere elected for the ensuing year. Telegrams were received from the Premier ami memlier rc Licensing Bill One new member was welcomed. A deputation representing the Boy Scouts waited on us to ascert tin it we would undertake a tea booth in connection with their forthcoming demonstration Afternoon tea was handed round ami a very pleasant afternoon closed with a hearty vote of thanks to our hostess. DUNEDIN “Y’s.”

October 14. First annual meeting, Miss Begg presided. The report showed that good progress is lieing made. Members on the roll til). Mesdames Blair and Hislop spoke words of congratulation ami thanks for the help given by the “ V s to the Mothe. Union. Election of officers resulted as follows President, Sister Frances; Vice-President#, Adams and Walton ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Pearson; Recording Secretary, Miss Mills; Treasurer. Miss Thomson. Departments : Social, Miss Wardell; Choir, Miss Sinclair; Flower Mission, Miss Broad; Literature, Miss Sparrow; Press, Miss Rose* vear. Sister Frances spoke confidently of tlio great work to he done during election year. Miss Begg, who is leaving ns to take up Mission work in Samoa, was presented with a silver-mounted brush and comb and a framed

photograph of the Executive in grateful recognition of her work as President. November 3. Sister Frances presided. Several new members were enrolled. Discussion on work amongst prisoners, and amongst factory girls ensued. Sifter Frances spoke of the famous Mission of Jerry McAuley, and of rescue work done in the Red Light District, she having worked in the Bowery for some Hve years (j REV MOUTH. There was rt large rimount of business got through at our meeting in October The lrazaar for our “ Sailors’ Rest ” was Very successful. Novemlier 2. Mrs Gaskin presided. Arrangements were made for supplying our schools with Temperance wall-sheets. The “ Cradle Roll ” has made an encouraging beginning. TUAKAU. October Ift The new Licensing Bill was discussed ami approved of Pleasure w.is expressed at efforts l»eing made in the new (laming Bill to discourage this evil. The President reported having interviewed several gentlemen regarding organising a Young Men’s Society, also the building and furnishing of a reading room. She also read a most interesting and instructive report of the Auckland Provincial Convention.

MASTERTON. Novemlier 1. Our annual social in Knox Hall was largely attended. Mrs Devonpi>rt presided and gave a short account of the Provincial Convention. Mrs D'Kws showed by her report that good work during the year had been done and 8 new members enrolled. The Rev. Olds and Mrs “Captain” Adams gave encouraging addresses. Two “ poi ” and “ canoe ” dances were given by native girls and Mrs Te Tan spoke on the advantages of “No-License” to the Maori race. The girls taking part were all meml>ers of the Union, four different native Unions having sent representatives. Songs, recitations, and afternoon tea enlivened the proceedings. Three new members were welcomed. WOODVILLE. October 2.Y Two new members were initiated. Discussion on “ Bible in Schools.” Resolved to urge the necessity of Bible reading l>eing given in schools oil local Ministers. Mrs Sowry was welcomed back from Napier Provincial Convention.

BLUFF. August 2. “ Drawing-room ” Meeting held at the residence of Mrs Laisliley. September 2. Alliance resolutions discussed ami adopted. Mrs Walker* reported on the Band of Hope meeting in Invercargill. September 1(3. Tenders were received for electric light for our new hall now in course of erection. Septemlier 27. Resolved that a rental of £3 per annum be charged to Lodges lor rent of room with an additional charge of 10/- per night for use of hall. Septcmlier 30 An address was given by Mr Macindoe, Invercargill, on “ Alcohol: A Foe Various bottle?, were used showing the different component* of a pint of milk and a pint of l»eer, also the hardening effects of alcohol on food.

NEW PLYMOUTH.

A most successful afternoon social was given by Mrs F. Okey for the benefit of the “Cradle Roll ” funds. Two “ Home ” Meetings have l>een held at Fitzroy at Mesdanies Hall and Pctch. Two socials have lieen given to the young people who will assist us to entertain the New Zealand Convention in March next. At Mrs H. Joil's twenty-one names were given of young ladies who would be willing to help; four signed the “Y ” pledge The second social took the form of a ** Pink lea,” ami was a most successful affair ; thirty-two signed the “ Y pledge. Parliamentary work has kept the Superintendent on the alert re Bible in Schools, C. D. Acts. Gambling and Licensing Bills. Prison Work Superintendent has found homes for three indeterminate sentence prisoners. This work takes a tremendous amount of doing, for if a prisoner has friends, reconciliation between them is first tried. Dorcas has handed out many garments from her useful store. Literature Department reports having sup plied Grey month with Temperance wall-sheets for the schools. Fight new members have lieen enrolled. UPPER MUTT. Our annual meeting was held November 2nd in the Town Hall. Mrs Boxall, of Wellington, presided. Election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mrs Whiteman; VicePresident, Mrs Koutley ; Secretary, Miss Butters : Treasurer, Miss Lewis. Superintendents of six Departments were elected as follows:—“Cradle Roll," Mrs Whiteman; Maori, Mrs Mal>ey; Purity, Mrs Morrison; Literature, Miss Lewis ; Home Meetings, Mrs Lewis ; Flower Mission, Mrs Moulder. Three new memliers were initiated. A “ Cradle Roll” “At Home” is to take the form of a Garden Party at the home of Mrs Whiteman, November 16th.