SPECIAL REPORTS

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 1, 1 February 1949, Page 6

SPECIAL REPORTS

KING COUNTRY DELEGATION TO PARLIAMENT Included in the King Country delegation of Maori Chiels to Parliament in connection with the Pact made between the Government and the King Country Ivlaoris in 1883, were the President of the Maori Te Kuiti Union (Mrs. A. Joseph) and two other members, Mrs. Jane Emery and Mrs. Mary Hynes, also Superintendent Sister Heeni Taylor, and Miss Huia Riddle of the Rahui “Y” Branch (Hamilton). The object of the delegation was again to ask the Government and special Licensing Bill Committee to keep sacred the Pact that was made between the Government and the Maori Chiefs in 1883 to keep liquor out of the King Cou. try. On the 26th of tnis month, Mrs. Joseph and other members of the Union attended a meeting of the Otorohanga Union, when the Rev. Mr. Brown in his address, said, “ There is a Pact between the Government and the Maoris of the King Country; for the symbol of it is on the window pane of the Methodist Church, and it stands there to this day.” CRADLE ROLL PARTY TE KUITI MAORI UNION On Saturday, November 13th, the Social Hall of the Te Kuiti Maori Pa presented a busy scene at 12 noon. A fir-tree, decoraU 4 with I(X> gaily coloured balloons lied one window of the beautiful hah. Two tables very prettily set out with red and gold jellies, cakes, sandwiches, sweets, etc. delighted the 60 small guests and the. 40-odd mothers, grandmothers and visitors. Mrs. Coyle represented the European Union. Miss C. M. McLay, Maori Organiser, was the guest speaker. The Rev. Mr. Kukutai gave a welcome, and opened the gathering with prayer. Mrs. Turner, C.R Superintendent, and Mrs. A. Joseph, president, were hostesses. An apology from Sister, Nicholls, who was sick, was received v/ith regret. We missed her very much. A Model Talk to the older children was given by Miss McLay, followed later by a talk to the mothers on “Guard your race.” The noontide hymn was sung. Balloons and sweets to the children closed a happy day. DAY OF PRAYER. BLENHEIM There was a fair attendance of women at the Monthly Day of Prayer on November 25th. Morning sessions began at 10.1', when Mrs. 0. Webb as Leader took M Love ” as her subject, reading from Ist Corinthians, Ch. 13. Mrs. rowel! followcJ for the next session and gave a very fine address on the Nativity. At 2 p.m., Mrs. C. Booth led; and we listened with interest to her address or. “ Friendship.” The final session was led by Mrs. Forbes, who spoke on the Advent

message, and “ Pen pictures of Christ.” Special prayers were offered on behalf of the sick; and of our King. Many of the congregation led in prayer. Mrs. Forbes thanked those who had assisted; and greetings were exchanged for the Christmas season. It was decided to continue the gatherings in the coming year. A. AND P. SHOW DAY TfeMranga’a Effort Assisted by Alliance members, the Tauranga Union undertook publicity work for Six o’clock Closing at the local Sho' a January 15th. A tent, bearing a large calico sign, visible to everyone who came and exhibiting various and many posters * bearing slogan* was staffed all day by members, v* tlO distributed hundreds of specially prepared leaflets in addition to large numbers of our well-known standard leaflets. Great courtesy and for the most part, approval was shown by all who were spoken to; and the workers, who went on duty in relays, were fully convinced that the day’s work had been of great value. Organisation for the Referendum Poll, in co-operation with the local branch of the Alliance, was given a good start at a recent meeting; a most encouraging and representative number attending. Committees for Publicity, distribution of literature, arrangement of public meetings, etc. were set up; and a further meeting being arranged for reporting progress one week later. DECEMBER 30th BLENHEIM AND SPRINGLANDS Combined Social Afternoon A very successful Christmas Social Bring and Buy afternoon was held in the Anglican school room, Blenheim. Mrs. E. M. Forbes presided and welcomed the many friends present. Mrs. Christian led in prayer following the singing “ Soldiers of Christ.” The Rev. P. Kirkham congratulated the members on the fine attendance and commended their consistent work. He then gave a telling Temperance address. A programme of vocal music was given as follows: solos, Mrs. S. J. Sanders. “ The Piper from over the way” and “ VVaiata Poi”; Mrs. F. J. Platt. * A Bird sang ir the Rain ” and “Rackety Coo”; Miss J. Osborne, “His Star was a Candle” and “She’s mighty like a Rose.” A trio “ Fairy Cradle” was given by Mesdames N. Grvlls. W. Glennie and B. Patchett and the Methodist Women’s Fellowship members gave a bracket c? Christmas hvmns and carols. Mrs. W. E. Glennie was the accompanist. A sumptuous afternoon tea was served and the stalls were well patronised, the sum of £2l ss. being realised. Mrs. Underhill expressed thanks and appreciation to the performers and all who had contributed to the afternoon's enjoyment. The hvmn “0 Come all ve Faithful.” followed by the pronouncing of the Benediction by Rev. Mr. Kirkham, brought a successful afternoon to a close.

CONFERENCE REMITS, 1949 Manawatu 1. That as at President Truman's request the American distilleries closed down for 60 days in order to save grain for needy European countries, could not our Government be asked to do something similar with the breweries in N.Z. r 2. That W.C.T.U. members assist in making a special feature of Temperance Sunday each year by speaking, where possible, to Sunday Schools and Bible Classes and by arranging for Temperance films to be shown. 3. That Bible Class Unions be approached to include a Temperance talk or study on the programme for their Rallies and/or camps, and show films when possible. Taranaki 4. That we are alarmed at the prevalence of indecent assaults upon women and children, and 4hat the punishment imposed according to law is inadequate to check such offences. Hawke’f Bay 5. That in view of the ignorance of the real* nature and effects of alcoholic beverages on our young and older people and the effect on the race, would the heads of Government and Private, Secondary Schools and Churches give, or arrange for at least one talk yearly, to be given by a Doctor or other suitable person who could give the facts from a scientific, moral and spiritual point of view. 6. That in view of the fact that even one alcoholic drink can slow up a person’s action in an emergency, and make all the difference between safety and an accident, would the Minister inform us if these same regulations irt regard to the taking of alcoholic liquor and any other narcotic, are in force in New Zealand as the Australian ones quoted, and if not would he consider adopting regulations of a like nature. Note. —Among orders issued to the pilots of Trans Australian Airways is the following: “No officer is to consrme alcoholic liquors in any public place while in uniform. The officers shall not consume any alcoholic liquor while on duty or during a period of twelve hours prior to returning to duty, and shall not whilst on duty be under the influence of any alcoholic liquor or narcotic. Any officer breaking the above regulation will be subject to immediate dismissal.” /. that we deplore the ever-growing practice of Art Union tickets being sold by children, and urge that a Dominion-wide publicity campaign be instituted by the W.C.T.U. to inform parents and teachers that it is illegal for children to be given such tickets to sell. 8. That this Convention requests the N.ZAV.C.T.U. to petition Parliament to enquire into the possibility of having applied to motorists involved in collision (where intoxication is al-

leged) the blood test for drunkenness as used in various parts of the world. 9. That this Convention urges the Minister to enquire what drinks will l*c provided for service men and women in camp during the Christmas and New Year festivities, and requests that he give the necessary authority for aerated drinks, soft cordials, and pure fruit drinks to be provided for these occasions for those who would prefer them to alcoholic drinks, and the latter be provided only for those who make request for them. 10. That this Convention considers that, with regard to the drinking of alcoholic liquors at dances and in the vicinity of dance halls, police supervision is not vigilant enough, and many of the offenders are insolent and defiant, and therefore urges stricter police supervision, with prosecutions following each “ raid.” 11. That the Rugby Union and all other sporting bodies of a similar nature be approached regarding the playing of games on Sundays. This Convention urges that such games, whether private or organised, should be played on days other than Sundays, as disregard of the sacredness of that day is detrimental to the characterbuilding of the young people of today. Marlborough 12. To ensure the full use of the Handbook, it be supplied to all officers, the cost to be borne by the Educational or Organising Fund. Nelson 13. That children be listed on White Ribbon Cradle Roll without parent’s signature to Pledge Card. Note.—lt is felt that the work is handicapped, because of reluctance on the part of the parents or guardians to sign, whereas, once the names are gained for the Roll, the access to homes is also gained for a regular flow of Temperance Literature, along with Birthday Cards. LATE REMITS WfVington District That in view of many newspaper advertisements of films stressing violence and sex matters as inducements for viewing such films, this Convention urges the Government to arrange for r.n adequate censorship of film advertisements. Dunedin Central • 1. That the issue of “No Licence” be submitted to the electors of every licensing district; including ALL districts where a Licensing Trust is in operation.” 2. That in oi'der to offset the dangers associated with the enormous increase in wine production in N.Z., we urge the Government to utilise the Te Kauwhata experimental grapeproducing areas for the purpose of producing non-alcoholic fruit and health beverages. 3. That a letter be sent to the Minister of Education asking that the

teaching concerning alcohol and its effects be made a compulsory subject under the heading of “ Hygiene.” 4. That we support the resolution from the World Convention in regard to Peace, pledging our whole-hearted support to the United Nations as the potential instrument for attaining VYorld Peace; and declare our opposition v to propaganda against any nation. Southland District That the attention of the Government be drawn to the Dominion-wide flaunting of the law with regard to the using of children for selling tickets for raffles, or other forms of gambling. That this Convention affirms its conviction that the re-instatement of capital punishment would be the means of lessening crime in N.Z.

to us ns He said to Jeremiah, many centuries ago: “Thou therefore, gird up thy loins and arise, and speak to them all that I command thee. Be not dismayed at their races, lest 1 confound thee before them . . . and they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee, for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee ”