FAREWELL FROM MRS EVA WHEELER.

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 297, 18 March 1920, Page 12

FAREWELL FROM MRS EVA WHEELER.

Dear White Ribbon Comrades of New Zealand, — As I am about to leave the shores of your beautiful country the most wonderful, new, little nation on earth —I avail myself of this opportunity to express a few of the thoughts throngin* for utterance. With real joy I retail the greetings received by wire before the pleasure of meeting am of you, the enthusiastic and cordial reception tendered me by the splendid ladies of Wellington. Lorfg shr* 11 1 remember the capable leaders, Mrs Atkinson, Mrs Wright, Mrs Helyer (my hostess), and many others there; also the faithful ones at Invercargill, and at Dunedin the wonderful opportunity for meeting your National Kxecutivc at “tea,” with Mrs Don and Mrs Cowie, two world leaders (and th«y w:M be no recognised at the World's Convention), and your most eiHcient K.ditor. Indeed, each one at that festive board left an impress upon me for good. L iter it was a benefit to know your wonderfully efficient Corresponding Secie tarv and L.T.L. Serretary and many others. Other pictures hanging on memory’s walls are a unique reception at Dunedin presided over by the Mayoress, the meetings at Christ- < hurch. and the beautiful silk flag of New Zealand presented to me by the Canterbury ladies; receptions. At Homes, and teas at Palmerston North, Napier, and a dozen other cities; a garden party, reception, and farewell reception at Auckland, with the capable Mrs Cook leading. Did not space forbid I should mention e: ch remembrance K'ft and souvenir and the donor. Again 1 say “thank you” for it all. I congratulate you upon the splendid fight for prohihi tion vou have made, and ir eve y

plate 1 am 1 shall state that no prohibition army could have done bettei considering the handicaps under which you so valiantly laboured, flow could it be otherwise, surrounded as you are by all the beauty the Creator has provided so abundantly to inspire and encourage. We will leave you rich in memory pictures of sea, mountain, harbour, lake, cave, foliage, ; nd Rotorua; but the dearest picture is of its people. You have taken me into your hearts and homes as a sister, and 1 can never fail to be grateful to the W.C.T.r, of New Zealand for making it all jiossible. I wish you might \isit the C.S.A. and enjoy as much ~nd he as much benefited as I have been by my sojourn with you. To-morrow we sail for Australia, where I am dated for at least six months. May (»od s choicest blessing richly rest upon you and your service for Him, and may you speedily reach victory. Sincerely, FA A C. WHKKI.KK.