SUPERINTENDENT'S LETTER

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 386, 18 September 1927, Page 14

SUPERINTENDENT'S LETTER

Dear Sister, I hope all Unions interested In this De.partmert will make a big effort on Maori Day next month (October 16th), to interest their members in this work. Mrs Simons, our Organiser, is doing very good work, and does not spare herself in her efforts to make her work successful, and It is most important to keep our Fund up to its full strength, as travelling and other expenses are necessarily heavy. Mrs Simons has worked the Auckland District, and is now' in the Wellington District. From there she hopes to go to Wanganui and Hawke’s Day, and wherever possible, she is forming Unions amongst our

Maori sisters. 1 still have copiee of the Kevd. Mr Seamer s leaflet, “Ourselves and our Maori Fellowcitizens,” which is very suitable for reading at the Maori Day meetings, and will be glad to let any Union that need* some, have them on application to me. Address: MRS N. F. WALKER, “Gortgowan," Upper Fox Street, Gisborne. XOTAItLh DAYS. 22 Wye Street, Oamaru, September Ist, 1927. Dear Sisters, This month we keep in memory the granting to us of tie Franchise, a privilege not enjoyed by women in many parts of the world, and not fully appreciated by many women here where we have long had it. But even in New Zealand, there are numbers of women, some of them our fellow-members in W.C.T.U., to whom this Franchise is not yet available, for no Maori is able to vote upon the Licensing Issie. On the 16th of October, we concentrate our thoughts on our Maori work, and this year 1 would suggest that we consider the position of our Maori sisters in this matter. Maoris, me.» or women, may be enrolled on a separate Electoral Roll, which entitles them to vo*e for the Member who shall represent them in the House of Parliament, but that is all. Such of them as are half-castes, may if they choose, enroll themselves on the Pakeha roll, but by doing no, they lose the right to vote for the Maori Members of the House, whose duty it is to watch ever their special irtenests. This was the position of many of our friends and fellov.-members, who in the 1925 election, sacrificed their other interests by enrolling as Pakehas in order that they might secure the right to vote on the Abolition of the Drink Traffic, which brings such disaster upon their people. Surely such unselfish earnestness should fill us with admiration for these our sisters, and induce us to spare no effort to use all the influence and power we possess to help them, I would suggest that either on Franchise Day or Maori Day, the

subject for discussion should be that of the Maori race in this aspect. Many of us do not fully understand the references to liquor in the Kin*; Country and the pact referring to it, which some politicians now desire to break, and it would be interesting a.* well as necessary to learn all about the present position of affairs. I am, yours sincerely, ALICE F. WEBB, Supt. Notable Days. Dear Sisters, — I hope you are all watching to see what 1 have to te!i you this month. It is something very important, and very fine. There are some service books just arrived from the printers, and ar<iuite up-to-date for our meetings, at the small cost of 6d each. They are specially useful to nervous folks lik*myself. Then 1 have some little “Promise Boxes,” 1/3 each. They have a Bible promise, and are just the thing to give for a present or send to sick folks Those of you who have anyone ill, order one to be sent direct to them; th**y will be so helpful. Some of you reading this letter will be glad to hear that the tie-pins have arrived, so send your orders on. Yours in His sendee, E. F. CHTPHOI.M