Called home

White Ribbon, Volume 47, Issue 4, 18 May 1941, Page 5

Called home

MRS. T. E TAYLOR

All White Ribhoners will feel a sense of loss at the news of the passing of Mrs. T. E. Taylor, our beloved Dominion President from 1926 to 1935. 111-health compelled her to give up all active work, and we, who loved her, can only feel that like our great leader. Miss Frances Willard, said of herself: “Say not that she is dead, but that she has gone to take part in those activities which are not succeeded by weariness.” The following tribute is from her own Union, Christchurch : Just a fortnight since a much-loved member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union passed peacefully into the morning of Eternal Day. Elizabeth Best Taylor died on Sunday, April ?7th, in Dunedin, where she had beer living with her son-in-law and daughter, the Rev. L. C. Horwood and Mrs. Horwood. Few women in New Zealand have had a more distinguished career of ser - vice than Mrs. Taylor. Early in the history of the W.C.T.U. she became a member of the Christchurch branch, and thus began an association which lasted until her death. For some years she was president of the Christchurch Union, resigning that office only when she was elected president of the Nordi Canterbury District Union. T n 1926 she was elected Dominion President and held that office until the Convention of 1935, when her health compelled her to refuse re-nomination. On her retirement Convention recorded its appreciation of her work in the following tribute:— “We, the Dominion officers and delegates assembled in I Hinedin at the Dominion Convention of the W.C.T.IJ, 1935, desire to place on record our deep appreciation and admiration of your loyal and devoted service during your long term of office as Dominion President—a position you have filled with dignity and with honour and distinction both to yourself and to the cause you have represented. “When National and International duties called you, you have always been prompt to use your rare talents in assisting to solve the problems presented for solution, and we are proud of the noble example and high standard set by you on all occasions.” “We deplore the reason which has

compelled you ic relinquish your office arm band the torch on to another; but you may rest assured that your labours have not been in vain, but will always he an incentive to us to work and pray ‘till death or victory/ “It rejoices us to know- that you will still lead us in what is one of the most important departments of our work. May God bless you and spare you for long years to cone, and may the Everlasting Arms he ever round you and beneath, you to comfort and sustain you during the time of your enforced retirement.” Mur,. Taylor’s interests and activities were not confined to the temperance /question. She was an earnest student /of the problem of Wor’d Peace, and for some years she was Ueace Superintendent of the Union, a department which she conducted with great vigour as long as health permitted. She was ?.lso a vice-president of the Christchurch branch of the League of Nations Union. Mrs. Taylor once said that the work among the children came nearest to her heart. This ’ne for children is f shown by tbe interest she took in Kindergarten work. She was one of the founders of the Christchurch Free kirdergarten Association. This interest she maintained to the end. All matters affecting the welfare of women and children were of the utmost importance to her, and she wa a Life Member of the Soc!< ‘' for the Protection of .Women a -.; 1 t;Horen. As was natural with one .- • ir eenly interested in Peace, she o.va the need for friendship among the peoples of the Pacfic, and in 19?4 she was appointed to represent t ie W.C.T.U. of New Zealand at tin Pan-Pacific Conference of Women held that year in Honolulu. She acted as chairwoman of the New Zealand branch r.f the PanPacific Women’s Association up till the time of her death. Sne was one of the first women Justices of the F'f ace, and was for seme years Magistrate’s Associate of the Children’s Court. Pier interest in Hie National Council of Women dated from its foundation and she was a Life Member of that organisation. In recognition of her fine record o f public service, Mrs. Taylor received the Jubilee Medal and in 1907 was awarded the 0.8. E.