NEED OF HEADQUARTERS.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 405, 18 April 1929, Page 13

NEED OF HEADQUARTERS.

The need of a home for our rapidly-growing Society, with its expanding energies and activities, has been patent to all those in close touch with our work. The Convention of 11)27 set up a Committee in Wellington to secure a suitable property. Nothing was finalised that year, properties { n Wellington are expensive, and funds were limited. The 1928 Convention re-appointed that Committee, and decided that the purchase of Headquarters was a work of urgency. The W.C.T.U., which started its Dominion career with less than a score of branches, now numbers 190 Unions, with a membership of 7997. Its departments have grown until it has 45 Y.P. branches, with a membership of 976. The L T.L. and Hand of Hope have 2 834 members, while on its Cradle Roll are to be found the names of 7032 children, whose parents have promised to bri g them up as total abstainers. Our coloured sisters have not been neglected, as 271 Maori members and 658 Nuie Islanders can tell. In the homes of devoted Superintendents (scattered over the whole Dominion) are to be found our literature, library, and requisites. The need of a home, where national work could be centralised, and where could he established a radiating educational station for the

whole Dominion, was indeed a matter of urgency. Towards the end of 192 8, the Committee, with the approval of the Dominion Officers, purchased a property and paid a deposit of £IOOO. The property is situated at the corner of Brougham and Elizabeth Streets, with a substantial frontage to each street. The tram stops at it's very gate, and it is only two minutes’ walk from the Courtenay Place tram shed. The price was £6765, of which £1765 remains on second mortgage at 7 per cent, and £4OOO w r as raised as a fiist mortgage at 6J per cent. These mortgages are repayable in sums of £SOO, or more, at any time, by giving three months’ notice. There is a large oldfashioned house upon the property. This is now r in good repair, and was at one time used as a hostel by the Y W.C.A., and later by the 0.F.5., while their own was being rebuilt. The report of this Committee was presented to Convention on Thursday, its first day of meeting. Delegates were given time to inspect the property and to make enquiiies. The Committee, when purchasing, were convinced, that if Convention did not approve of the purchase, there would he little difficulty in selling it again, without loss to the Union. On the Tuesday morning. Convention discussed the question of

whether the property should be retained by the Union, oi again be placed upon the market. Delegates stated that they had made enquiries from business men, and all agreed that the price was a fair and even a moderate one, and that the property was rapidly-increasing in value. When the vote was taken it w T as for the retention of the property, only nine dissentient votes being recorded, and of these several stated that the vote was a Union one and not a personal one. After hearing all particulars, they personally were in favour of the resolution. Thus, by its own vote. Convention representing the Dominion W.C.T.U. has approved of the purchase, and has undertaken the responsibility of financing it. A Committee of Management was set up. A caretaker is in charge, and the bouse is being let out to tenants. This is being done to raise funds to pay the rates, insurance, and interest, which are approximately £492 per annum. The Convention also recommended that an effort be made to raise a substantial sum to reduce the mortgages, and so reduce the interest charges. Mrs Taylor suggested that a canvass be made for subscriptions in all towns. This is the first time that our Union has appealed directly to the public for help in financing its great work.

Another speaker urged that the whole sum be raised before next Convention, and that our Headquarters be then opened free of debt. “You have not tested the resources of God until you have attempted the impossible." Though we must let rooms now to pay expenses, it was unthinkable that this should continue indefinitely. A building, free of debt, and used entirely for Dominion work, was our aim. Eventually, all literature and requisites, our official organ, our Library, would be centralised there with a capable officer in charge. Then could any White Rlbboner passing through Wellington, call there and get all information, inspect all literature and requisites, and go home fully-in formed to report to her Union. Dominion officers would have a home in which to hold their meetings, and the Dominion Executive could meet there if required. In addition to this, work could be

don** among the young folk. Some of the rooms could he used for writing rooms for lectures, for socials, for reading rooms, for the large number of young people from all over the Dominion, who have no home in the Empire City, and too often go to pictures and cabarets because they have nowhere else to go. To these it might be a resort, a home, an educational centre.

We hope to see a Headquarters in every district, but we must start with what we can afford. A good work started in one place will grow and spread. Thus did our own movement start in Hillsboro, Ohio. U.S.A., and in less than half a century it had encircled the globe. Are we too optimistic if we pray and believe for a spiritual movement to start among the young at our National Headquarters. and to be its consecration to its work. From the Capital City, as a centre, it will spread through the length and breadth of the Dominion, and then will the Liquor Trade be overthrown by voters who have learnt that “alcohol is useless as a medicine and harmful as a beverage." To this knowledge will be added the vital spiritual force that must be behind every great moral reform. For such a work we confidently appeal to all who wish to hasten tlie time when Cod's Kingdom will come upon earth, by out-voting the great hindrance to the coming of that Kingdom—The Licensed Liquor liar. Will you help us by your prayers, and by your pounds cf donations? (Fart of the above article, with photo of Headquart t has be?n printed in leaflet form, and signed by Dominion President and Secretary. These leaflets will be supplied to Fnions. free of cost, upon making application to the Editor, Mrs Peryman, Johnsonville.)