METHODS DEPARTMENT.

White Ribbon, Volume 41, Issue 488, 18 May 1936, Page 2

METHODS DEPARTMENT.

Dear W.R. Sisters,— At the Dominion Convention it was resolved to change the name of the School of Methods to “Methods Department.” and I was again appointed Superintendent. We are still very anxious for the District Unions to hold “schools," but now individual Unions can work thi.; department by holding study groups and classes to improve the procedure and methods of the meetings. Then, when the Unions receive a questionnaire, they can report direct to me. It is so important, sisters, that we should make our meetings attractive. Here, In New Zealand, where the W.C. T.U. has l»een in existence over 50 years, and it was the first organised women's society, we took up the question

of other social evils as well as internperanee, and we have always been in the vanguard in any movement which had for its objective the betterment of conditions for women and children. As the vears have gone on, more and in or*v\ omen's societies have Imm-ii formed, with varying objectives, some entirely philanthropic in aim, others more limited in their scope, but one and all having a desire for the lietteirnent of the conditions that affect women and children. The result of this lias l*een that some <1 our members have left our ranks and have joined up with these newer bodies; some are deluded Into the false belief that t here is not such a great need for our work now. Hence has arisen tinidea that the W.U.T.U. is out-of-date, and lacking in its appeal. We know this idea is abroad, liecause we are met with it. We as members must prove that tiie need for a vigorous campaign, and our work is still as great as ever, the enemy has lost no whit of his potency, and there is need for Increasin'vigilance and untiring effort. If the W.U.T.U., under its present guise, fails in its attractiveness, if we find that our methods are not as successful as those of some other women’s societies, then m< should consider the possibilit\ of ulteiing our met hods, providing it does not clash with any of our principles. W* could still hold to our triad of education, agitation, and legislation, and suit our methods to the needs of a new age; but we must never lower our standard. Sisters, we have succeeded dining the *,ti years we have been in existence in maintaining our Unions without stooping to any questionable methods, but I feel we could introduce new methods to bring our meetings up-to-date and mak* them more attractive. Try it. With Inst wishes and an earnest appeal to the Unions throughout the !>«>- minion to take up the work of this department, I remain, yours in W.R. I Kinds, AMY KASPER. MODEL ADULT MEETING. .Vjetula. Hymn. Devotions, led by Evangelistic Supt Welcome to members and visitors. Pledge. Roll call. Apologies. Temperance Pact. Minutes. Financial Statement. Report of Uor. Secretary. Report of Cradle Roll (L.W.K ), pr< sented by Supt. Enrolment of a new L.W.K. Report of I.*oyal Temperance Legion, presented by Supt. Reports from Departmental Superin tendents (if any). Unfinished Business. New Business. Appeal for new members. Programme. Address. Solo, etc. Closing.

My Dear White Ribitoners,I would love to have been present to hear the reports which delegates gave ai ihe various Unions, hut as that v as imjMvssible, the next best thing is to know what effect the reports are having on the Unions. Have you ieall> decided to win every child within your reach? I shall look ‘•utterly at the repo ids in the “White Kibbon” to know how our work is advancing. I>*t us show the critics (and there are plenty of them) that the White Kiblion Army is not rnarkintt time, but really going forward, and ti into the mother nature, taking the child ten with us. 1 have heard of Unions who, having heard the delegate's report, roused up for a brief period, and then sank liack into lethargy, no action taken. Ye are children of littht, of movement. You heard the call. V\ ill you answer? Have you heard the stor> of the Alierdeen quarrytnan? A blast had l>een prepared, the charge was laid, the fuse was lighted; the men concealed themselves in places of safety, when a little girl was seen toddling across the quarry towards the spot where the explosion wits ainiut to take, place. Sin paid no heed to shouts to turn and run away, and her death seemed inevitable. Then the foreman rose. It seemed madness to attempt it, but he cried. “I maun save the bairn,' rushed and caught her in his arms. He saved the child at the expense of his own life. Shall we take his words for our battle cry: “I maun save the bairn”? There are other assets of work which will claim our attention in future letters. In the meantime. He who bids us onward go will not fail the way to show. Lot Us tackle the children s work with all our might, and those who are in the held reach out farther it's well worth while. Yours for f 'bust's cause, J ESS IK HIKTT