MEMORIES

White Ribbon, Volume 29, Issue 345, 18 March 1924, Page 10

MEMORIES

Our article on the early days of the Union called up old memories to many of our workers. Mrs Gibson, of Levin, one of Wellington's early Treasurers, ’.v rites: Those were the days of getting signatures for petitions to Parliament. One I helped in with many other W.C. T.U. women was to have no bar-maids in hotels. Our Wellington Union secured many hundreds of names, also, I believe, did much work that the Society for th“ Protection of Women and Children are doing now. Such women jus Mrs Costall and Mrs Kirk were among the first Presidents that I remember, and with Mrs Boxall and Mrs Frank Isitt did much 10 inspire and keep our motto to the front, often amid much discouragement. Another work the Uni m did was fortnightly visits to the Public Hospittal and Home for the Aged and Needy. We used to have a long service on Saturday afternoons at each place, the inmates often choosing the hymns or solos for the next visit. These services were much enjoyed, .and I believe good resulted. Mrs Johnstone, of Port Chalmers, writes: I see by the January number of the “White Ribbon” that I am credited with being the first President of the Port Chalmers Union. That is a mistake. > i. Monson was President until March IXB7. then I became President. The date of the forming of the l*t Chalmers’ Union is not given. It was formed on the same day as the Dunedin Union only in, the afternoon, ho our Union is several hours older than the Dunedin Union. Mrs J'toanlen, Secretary of Mt. ICden Union, writes: — At our last meeting, February 20th. a resolution was passed: “That this Union congratulates Mrs Peryman on the excellence of the ‘White Ribbon, especially the January number." Mrs Chappell, senr., spoke of the delight it gave her to see the picture gallery of the pioneer workers in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, she herself being one of the old members of the Tauranga Union, and gave some of her experiences among the Maoris, when she and Mrs Brittain founded seven Unions, and got the Maoris to sign the pledge and wear the

blue ribbon. Mrs Chappell said our work is great, and we ran all do something to save the wanderers. 1 would urge that every member should take the "White ltibbon.’* Congratulations and every good wish from the Eden Union.