MAORI WORK DEPARTMENT.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 217, 18 July 1913, Page 14

MAORI WORK DEPARTMENT.

OPEN LETTER. Dear Comrades, —After many month>, in which our work among the Maoris lias been much limited, and no progressive work was possible, we have been fortunate in securing the services of a young lady to take up the work of organiser, who >eem> in every way well fitted and competent. Miss Woodhead is not a Maori, but has been in many ways interested in the Maoris nearly all her life. She is a good Maori linguist, having been a teacher in a Maori school for some years, and understands their ways. She has a pleasing personality, and has the interests of the Temperance cause at heart, as well as the welfare of the Maoris. Being a “pakeha,” she can appreciate method and organisation, and it is hoped she will be able to explain these to our Maori sisters, so that their Unions will be better managed and more efficient. She has seen something of the work done by Mrs Harris in the Kaipara district, and has been highly recommended for this work by Rev. E. Te Tuhi, who ?.s a staunch supporter of the W.C.T.U. in all the Northern districts, also by Mrs Harris, our recent Organiser. Miss Woodhead has commenced work without delay, and is now busy visiting those places where the .Maori women organised themselves several years ago. We have had no communication from them for a long time past, and they evidently need to be looked up. “White Ribbon Day,” on which a collection for Maori work is taken up in all our Unions, has just passed. Will those who observed the day and the deed kindly forward the amount contributed as soon as convenient, and if any Union has not yet contributed to this “cause that lacks as,'istance,” will they respond as soon and as generously as possible to this appeal on behalf of a noble race, who have a claim on our sympathy, and greatly appreciate any efforts made on their behalf? I would kindly ask the Superintendent of this department in every Union to do her utmost to intere't the members, and so help on our work. Cards for collecting will be forwarded on application. The funds will need to he replenished now we have the Organiser’s salary

to pay, also travelling expenses, and we must have more literature. The W.C.T.I’. is never appealed to for a good cause in vain, and so 1 feel quite confident that “the needful" will be forthcoming to carry the “White Ribbon” among our Maori -inters. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of these, ye have done it unto Me.” Yours in the work, 11. (L HtfillES, Superintendent Maori Work.