"Memorial Day" GREAT WOMEN OF THE W.C.T.U.

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 14, 1 July 1955, Page 2

"Memorial Day" GREAT WOMEN OF THE W.C.T.U.

By Jessie Hiett, Dunedin

It is my privilege to write first of some Dunedin W.CI l'. pioneers, who joined in May, 1885, when Mrs. Mary Clement, W.GT.TJ missionary, came to New Zetland to establish the Union in this faroff land, and then to give a brief account of the activities of the late Mrs K. Downing, of Andcrs<»ns Bay, Dunedin. How true it is that we often fail because WC do not feel! These woaacu felt the desperate need for something to he done to free mankind from the bondage of liquor. They had a passionate rning to live their lives purposefully. Mn. Fulton, the first Dunedin president, also the first New" Zealand president, was a truly consecrated Christian woman; intellectual and gracious, she made her home a rendez\ous for Christian women to discuss the liquor problem. Later they met in a hall. I can recall the names of some of those ardent pioneers: Mn. Miller, famous fof he> cookery book, commenced cooking cla r and woodwork classes for boys, and at the same time instilled into their minds the necessity for total abstinence. Miss Helen Nicol, a rugged, fearless opponent of all evi! systems, gave with her two brothers royal service for the cause of temperance. She was W.C.T.U. secretary when I joined Mn. Hislop was one who initiated children*! temperance processions and demonstrations, where gi:ls, dressed in white, entertained large audiences with temperance songs and dial) . Miss Mar/ Powell was for 15 years the hist New Zealand organizer. She travelled New Zealand by bicycle or on foot, and won for us many new Unions Mrs, D. C Cameron, a delightful woman, was full of good works and a strong temperance advocate. Her family rise up to call her blessed, amongst them being Sir Donald Cameron, for many years the esteemed Mayor of Dunedin

Time fails to tell of Mn. D. Pearson, whose chief work was for Sailors' Rests, Mn. A. C. Begg, honoured by rich and poor, who gave herself unstintingly to W.C.T.U. advancement. Mr. and Mrs. Cain, the Dunedin pioneers for Bands of Hope, and Mrs. J. Chisholm, wife of that saint of Cod, the late Re% James Chisholm. She w. courageous and dauntless- W.C.T.U member, who went from door to door for signatures for no licence and later for 6 o'clock closing. When delivering literature, she chatted with those who opened the door, and asked them to vote out the liquor traffic. Rarely did she meet with discounts Three of her daughters are W.C.T.U. members These women, with others, entered whole-heartedly into the crusade for women's franchise. Rough roads with no transport did not detei them. After three petitions were sent to Parliament, the fran-

chise was gained. Then began the long fight for Licence These women, with many others never slackened their efforts until the "Well done" e Master ushered them into their Heavenh Home. Mrs. K. Downing Mrs K Downingt of a later period than ti of the Franchi - a doughty champion women's rights and to. the WC T U Si delegate to Xl'W., and never failed to speak i I the dangers ~f he\erage alcohol Sometimes, speaking out of her turn, she a t down, winch she did quite happily. Up she would rise n it there came an Opportunity to speak against liquor. Some members of the N'CW disliked her for her persistency, but that did not check her zeal. On one occasion she met a brewer, who ted her as "my prohibition friend." She replied, "1 saw a very L r wod sign for your brewery today, Mr. . ." "And what was that?" he asked. "As I came down the street I saw a very drunken man lying in the gutter and thought what an excellent sign to be hoisted in front of a brewery." Hf <aid, "Well. Mrs Downing, I yet may come to your way of thinking." On another occasion she was taking signatures for 6 o'clock closing. She ■sed a Union lack flag for a tablecover. This flag belonged to her only son, who was killed at dallipoh. The hotel-keepers were up in arms about the use of the flag against their trade, and began an attack which they kept up for hours. They sent a policeman to demand the removal of the flag. She asked him quite pleasantly what law she was breaking. The policeman could not answer, and walked away. A pasting lady took charge of her table whilst she asked a lawyer if she was doing wrong. The lawyer assured her she was quite safe. Her ne\t visitor was ihe Town Clerk telling her that she had better remove the flag as the Town Hall was receiving so many rings from brewers and hotelkeepers that they had not time for their legitimate business She replied, "If the Mayor demands it, I will remove the flag, but I have a lawyer's advice that I am right " The District W.C.T.U. secretary then asked if she would not fold up her flag as she was causing such a commotion in the town. She, with a smile, said, "We will ncn remove our flag to please the enemy." and so the flag remained until the end of the day. This is a tribute to her memory by Archdeacon W. A Hamblett: "We are met to pay our tribute of respect to the memory of Katherine Downing a very remarkable lady. 1 have known her fc»r many years. Socially, hers was a lonely life. She a widow, and greatly wrapped up in her son, who died on service on Gallipoli in the first World War Mrs. Downing was one who gave her friendship freely, and who was very appreciative of kindnesses shown to her. I shall always Uriah of

ber as one whose life was militant, and the cau-e which she espoused she served passionately to the end Having a strong faith, well grounded, she ' life and death undaunted. Full of years, she looked into the future without fear, eagerly anticipating reunion with her son and loved ones m the Parade. al—a reunion which would be unbroken eternally" This rerte sums up the devotion of these splendid women: Oh for a passionate passion for souls; Oh for a pity that y ms. Oh for a love that loves unto death. Oh for a fire that burns Oh for a prayer power that prevails, That pours itself out for the lost; Victorious prayer in the Conqunors name, Oh for a Pentecost