DEPARTMENTAL DISPLAY

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 4, 1 May 1950, Page 2

DEPARTMENTAL DISPLAY

Arranged by Mr*. Kaaper, Auckland. One of the most interesting features of the Convention was the display of the Departmental work arranged, with the assistance of superintendents of Departments and exhibited by World Superintendent of School of Methods, Mrs. H. Kasper. The display centred around a table on which was shown the life story, in picture and prose, of Frances Willard, the founder of our International movement. The White Ribbon Bow, the emblem of our world organisation, with the White Ribbon trailing around a small globe of the world, thus intimating that the W.C.T.U was active in 52 countries was particularly attractive. Another attraction, was a table on which the requirements for a model meeting were arranged. Many members were able to take notes of the agenda to take back to their Unions. Among the exhibits were literature and posters, appertaining to the different departments. Other departments on display were Evangelistic Work among Seamen, Bible-in-Schools, AntiGambling, Backblocks, Bands of Hope. Good Citizenship, Home Meetings. Methods, Maori, Y’s, Social and Moral Hygiene, Health and Nutrition, Scientific Temperance and examinations, the World Bulletin, L.T.L, Little White Ribboners, Press and Peace and Arbitration. TO UNION REPORTERS AND SECRETARIES Unions were asked to report increases in membership, in Cradle Roll membership and Band of Hope membership, and increases in White Ribbon subscribers for the Five Year Plan for the period of SIX months ending 31st March, but as no reports have been received by me. no full report of Dominion gains can be given. Would reporters please send these figures as soon as possible, and in the future, report monthly gains to me. when sending Union monthly report for the White Ribbon? E. V. SINGLETON, Acting-Editor. MAORI ORGANISER’S REPORT FOR CONVENTION I feel this is a great privilege to write my first report for the Union and sincerely hope that what I write may be of interest to my readers. During the three months of W.C.TU. work. 1 can honestly report that the work among my people is a hard and difficult task; more so now, since the restrictions for Maori women have been lifted. There is nothing different or anything new' to say. We all have the same common knowledge that drink has got a good hold, not only of the older people of my race, but alas, the younger ones, too. I have heard one Maori Welfare Officer say she finds in her district, that girls are the heavier drinkers.

Of course, there are women, too, who are trying their best to abolish drink from their homes. Some have won victoriously, while others have failed. In many cases I have been told by women that they will not go without their drink, because it is the first time in Maori history that women are allowed to go into hotels. In one particular Pa I am made to believe that children (I think boys only) their ages ranging from 11 to 15 years, drink heavily at most weekends. Of course, the result is that some go to school still half dopey with drink, and others don’t go at all, until they have sobered up. In some Pas today, where there is a meeting held and notices are put up that “ Drink is Prohibited,” it is ridiculed and abused and “ Komiti ” maraes arc absolutely ignored. One woman told me that not only are the women drinking much more since restrictions were lifted, hut women and girls are learning to drink freely. Clubs are greatly increasing the drinking among women. We have also heard of a Maori man pulling out from a Lodge, through being offered drink there. As one Maori said: “We thought this would be a resectable thing to which to belong,” and he seemed grieved and surprised. In many places people received me kindly. Many women paid their subscriptions of 2/7 as they were sc anxious to belong to a Union and be allowed to wear the White Ribbon bow\ At the close of the meeting with the Otorohanga women, a voluntary collection w'as taken up by the women present, themselves, and handed me 11/1 towards the work. I would like to say that nearly everywhere women seem sympathetic with my subject. This was mostly house-to-house visitation work, although we had some good group talks. I worked with various Church workers and others who helped to introduce me and co-operate with me. Rev. Mr. Seamer planned all my travel and transport. Sixty-one places were visited in three months. It is a big and needy job, and 1 hope the W.C.T.U. members will not stop praying for my Maori sisters. -TE URUNAROA (Eunice) BELL TEMPERANCE FACT Given at Remuera. “ The great violinist, Paganini, lost his power to give his usual perfect performance through a single glass of wine before twe of his concerts.” “ The only glory in life is to leave ihe world the better for having been in it,” said Sir Wilfred Grenfell of Labrador; “Intoxicants will not help us tc do that. Alcohol does not spare anybody, a Robert Burns or a Coleridge, any more than a poor woman. A thousand times have l thanked God that I have kept clear of the drink handicap. Alcoholic drink is artificial as a beverage, produces an artificial personality, and creates an artificial craving for itself. What greater handicap could any man have than such a habit as alcoholizing?”