The World W.C.T.U. at Work

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 12, 1 May 1955, Page 4

The World W.C.T.U. at Work

Scotland In order to improve the Union’s Magazine, The Scottish Women’s Temperance News”, a “Printers’ Pie” Sale was held to obtain funds. This realised the fine total of £1,333, with a clear profit of £1,174. The young British Women were responsible for raising £59 of this. South Africa A new plan adopted in Cape Province has been reported. Women who wished to become members, but who could not attend meetings, are to be recruited as “Upholding members’’ —they will subscribe to the Union membership and to their National Journal, “The White Ribbon”, which will keep them in touch with Union activities. Cape Province held its 65tli Annual Convention last September. The winning entry in a Peace Slogan Competition was this, “Blot out war by Speaking, Preaching, and Praying for Peace.” The words are especially apt, as it is hoped to print them on blotters. Ceylon A Temperance Exhibition was organised by the W.C.T.U. during Health Week. Demonstrations were given relating to the action of alcohol on food, plant-life and on the human body. The Minister of Health and the Deputy-Director of Health were amongst those who visited the Exhibition, which was seen by more than 2,0(X) ' adults and children.

Mrs. E. S. Godheb, President, has replied to a charge in the “Times” of Ceylon, in its leading article, that Temperance workers would do more good by, “strengthening conditions that make for true temperance, instead of striving for an impracticable and undesirable prohibition.” The President’s letter, not only brought publicity to the cause, but asked why some of the leaders of the Government, who claim to be staunch Buddhists, refrain from following one of Buddah’s precepts. Two other main religions in Ceylon, Islam and Hinduism, forbid the taking of alcohol. She asked: “Isn’t it strange that the Government’s policy is Temperance, and not prohibition?” Her letter concluded by saying, “Temperance, when it refers to self'control, is good, but total abstinent*, is best. Which will you choose? The good or the best?” Korea Six new groups have been organised, chiefly through the efforts of the new Travelling Secretary, Mrs. Ella Yi. The Union has published a magazine, “Temperance”, at the cost of 250 dollars, a sum which was contributed by the members of the Committee, as no other funds could be spared for this purpose. There were Christmas celebrations for the National W.C.T.U. Committees and for the 40 orphan children in the Underwood Memorial Home. The war widows working in the W.C.T.U. Training Course and their families, also had a celebration, when they received welcome gifts from C.A.R.E. parcels. Hie W.C.T.U. is working hard to bring about a Prohibition Law. Creece The National President, Mrs. Potamianos, reports that the Minister of Home Affairs invited the W.C.T.U. to provide a series of lectures for the officers and men of the “Police and Gendarmerie.” They were given in “Parnassus” a large hall in Athens. The speakers were Mrs. Potamianos, Mrs. Babakos, National Vice-President, Mar. Magiakos, journalist, Anna Garmati-Theodoro-l>oulos, Dr. of Philology, Athens Ernie Gizasris, Dr. of Medicine; Pepy Plydtaka; Miss Helen Dervos, Nat. Sec. Their respective subjects were: Alcoholism and the Consequences; Alcoholism and Criminality; Alcoholism; Alcohol-

ism Psychology; Alcoholism and Society; Alcoholism and Various Illnesses; Alcoholism, a Social Scourge; Alcoholism, a Social Danger. The Minister of Home Affairs anc the Minister of Public Surety wt»re present ai .n* first lecture

and promised help to the Union through their departments. Similar lectures have been given to the Police in Poreaus; the papers gave good reports each time. Twenty lectures in all were given and more are planned for the families of the police and motor drivers, too.