SUPERINTENDENTS' LETTERS.

White Ribbon, Volume 37, Issue 434, 18 September 1931, Page 2

SUPERINTENDENTS' LETTERS.

PEACE AND ARBITRATION.

l >ear Sisters, — I,ast month our worthy Editor was able to allow me only just the space needed for a reminder as to the petition; but in this issue there is more space available, and I think you will like to hear a few details as to how many signatures have been obtained in other parts of the world. From the last letter I received from Auckland, ! take the following: extracts:—

“You will l>e pleased to hear that the women of Great Britain have achieved their aim. They passed t». ® million mark early in .lune, and are now trying: to collect another million. The International Secretary of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom sent out a report by the last mail giving the number of signatures in most of the countries up to June 30: Canada, population 9 millions, 60,000 signatures. Switzerland, population 4 millions, 135.000 signatures. Norway, 45,000 signatures. Sweden, 60,000 signatures. Germany, 25,000 signatures. France, 15,000 signatures. USA., 81.800 signatures. Australia, 7000 signatures. The total, so far, is 1.480,947, but the tlgures from Japan are not included. The campaign in New' Zealand is progressing steadily. Salvation Army is sending forms to all its branches throughout the Dominion; Knox College authorities sent for 300 forms, and are sending to all the Presbyteries in New Zealand for ministers and congregations to sign. I understand that in Napier they are opening an intensive campaign with a public meeting, and will get the petitions in the churches; m Invercargill forms have l>een sent for by the L.N.U., and a Disarmament Week is proposed; the National Council of Women in Auckland have ten forms for distribution; the Methodist Youth Movement in Wellington have 30 forms, besides numerous individual friends ami sympathisers. The Christchurch people are w orking splendidly ; they are approaching all the W.C.T.U. Branches. I am trying to get forms to all the Womens Institutes. It is really marvellous how w’illing people are to sign. If I had time to go out more. I think I could get thousands.” You remember that last month I advised you to send in your petition forms about the middle of the present month. If signatures are obtained later than that, do not keep them back, but send them to Mrs Gibson, 56 St. Mary’s Road. Ponsonby, in the hope of their being able to be included. I hear from Dunedin lately that 32 filled forms were posted to Auckland the other day from the Otago L.N.U.

With best wishes and loving greetings.

Yours for Peace, KATE M. EVANS. Dom. Supt. P. and A. The time for receiving petitions for Disarmament has been extended to

October 31st. Already forms bearing 4000 signatures huve been sent in.

FIX)VVER AND PHILANTHROPIC DEPARTMENT. “Chingford,” Belmont, Wellington, August 31, 1931. Dear Fellow-workers, — The year is speeding along, so I trust all the hard-working Unions are gathering up details of their kindly deeds, ready to report. Such a hearty response last year gave gladness to our officers, for letters told of willing and active service. If this was necessary then, how much greater is the need today! Funds may be scarce, but bring the kind words out, also the smiles! These will help much w'hen you meet those who are saddened by cares. The pennies do not go far owing to the increased postage, and I may not be able to reach so many Unions by individual letters, hut I shall remember all who sent to me last year, because I have every Union that reported marked off in my handbook. That is an encouragement for you to try again, isn’t it? Further reminders will appear in later numbers of ‘‘White Ribbon,” and all District Secretaries will receive a letter to lie read at District Convention. Please help me to make the Department a success. I am counting on you all. Loving greetings. Yours sincerely, ADA SPENCER. Dom. Supt. Flower and Philanthropic Department. BIRTHDAY LEAGUE. Dear Sisters, — In connection with the W.C.T.U. Birthday league, will all the Secretaries of the Unions who already have a league kindly communicate wMth me, giving me the number of their meml>ers? I also want to appeal to those Unions who have not yet formed a League to do so wherever possible. The objective of the league is to obtain as many members as possible who are willing to give one shilling on their birthday as u thankoffering for m“rcies received during the year. The Dominion Exec utive have decided that the amount thus raised may be used in your own Union, with a recommendation that it be used for a special object, and not just merged in the general funds. Yours. wMth best wishes, KATE E. BREWINS, Birthday league Superintendent. 326 Worcester Street. Linwood, ChCh, August 27th, 1931. MAORI. Dear Sisters, — 1 would like to remind you tnat “Maori Day" should be observed in October, and a collection should be taken up for the Maori Fund. It is usual to obtain a suitable speaker to address the meeting on “Maori Work,” if possible. I will endeavour to gat a few leaflets typed on that subject, and any Union failing to obtain a suitable

speaker may apply to me for a copy, which could be read at their meeting.

I hope that more Unions will observe this day than in the past, and that all Unions will take up this Department in real earnest, and will seek to help their “brown sisters’’ to get this awful curse of the drink traffic removed from their midst.

I jet us remember that it is we who are to blame that they have this curse thrust upon them, and it is up to us to lift this burden from off their shoulders. Seeing that the Maori people are not allowed a vote, their only hope of deliverance lies :n our coming to the rescue by using all power in influencing the votes of others, and by educating our darker brothers and sisters in regard to this great evil. Hoping that at the end of the year I will receive a report from every Union saying that Maori Day has been observed. —Yours in W.R. bonds, (Miss) LAURA C. ADAMS. Dom. Maori Supt. 50 Oollingwood Street, Ponsonby, Auckland.