CORRESPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT.

White Ribbon, Volume 30, Issue 345, 18 April 1924, Page 7

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT.

The progress made in 1922 has not been maintained in 1923, more than half the Unions showing a decrease in membership. This is, no doubt, due to the fact that we had only one organiser at work last year, whereas in 1922 we had two, but it also means that there has been a marked failure to collect membership dues. The number of adult Unions at the end of the- year was 115—a decrease of 2 of “Y” Unions 11. Maori Unions 2, making a total of 127. Seven adult and five ”Y” Unions have been formed. The adult Unions are Rama Rama, Ponsonby, Epsom, Foxton, Opawa, and Rangiora, and the “Y’s” are Hastings, Carterton. Picton, Christchurch and Riverton. Eight Unions have disbanded: these are Matakana Marton. Patea, Karakaramea, Okaiawa. Leeston, Milton, and Mataura. The membership of the adult Unions is 5,880, as against 5.969 for 1922 —a decrease of 110. The “Y’s” have a membership of 670, Maori Unions 27. Total 6,577, an increase of 77.

Once more it is necessary to point out that a very large number of Unions do not definitely work any of the Departments, and. under these circumstances it is hard to understand bow interest in the Union work is maintained. No matter how small a town is, or how scattered a district, there must be opportunities for work in at least one of our departments. The training of children and youths in tempernaee principles should be the first object of every Union, yet, only 66 Unions report a cradle roll, only 39 report Band of Hope or L.T.L. work, and 16 have done definite V work, though “Y” Unions have not been formed in every instance.

The Pledge-Taking Campaign, inaugurated at the last Convention, lias not. been taken up with any vigour. Forty-six Unions report a total of 854 pledges. Of this number Invercargill

“Y’s” secured 247 and Hastings “Y’s” IT The change from the old systen of District Unions to the new one was effected during the year. In several instances where two or more districts had made a practice of combining to hold a Provincial Convention, they have decided to merge the into one. The Districts as now constituted are:—Auckland. Waikato, Taranaki-Wanganui. Hawke’s Bay, Wellington. Nelson, North Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, Southland. In all these Districts very successful Conventions have been held. Although hte Constitution makes no provision for meetings of the District Executives. it is hoped that in every District the Executive will meet at least quarterly, for by this means the Unions may be kept in touch with one another and the weaker ones will be encouraged and strengthened It is a matter for regret that we have not been able to employ a second organiser. Although advertisements were inserted in the “Vanguard,” the “Outlook.” and the “Methodist Times,” only one response was received. In consequence the work of organising has fallen entirely upon Miss Earnshaw, who has had a very strenuous year. The work of finding officers has become inc reasingly difficult, so that in a number of cases it has been impossible to form Unions, although a great deal of hard work was done by Miss Earnshaw. The year has been a particularly difficult one for her, and she has, in consequence, sulered a breakdown in health and has had to rest for some time. In conclusion, may I appeal to our I’nions to be up and doing this year. We are fighting an enemy that never takes a rest, and we cannot afford to relax our efforts for one day. Next year is polling year again with its opportunity to wipe out the liquor traffic and give new life and hope to thousands of men. women, and children who are now the victims of the cruellest and most unrelenting foe humanity has ever known. Tc free ihem is our God-given task. If we believe that God accomplishes His will through human agency, then we must know that the destruction of the liquor traffic is work that He has given us to do, and that if we leave it for future generations to accomplish we are betraying a sacred trust