W.C.T.U.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1916, Page 6

W.C.T.U.

■ANNUAL MEETING). The annual meeting of tlie Women's Christian Temperance Union was held on Wednesday. There were viO members present. Mrs. Allan Douglas presided. The secretary read n report, showing that during the year special efforts had bten made. The sum of ±"75 was' raised by the local members for the Patriotic Fund organised by the National Women's Christian Temperance Union. The total sum raised for the Dominion was £2OOO, which was collected within five months. The money will be for-' warded to the Y.M.C.A. for administration at the front.

The local branch of the W.C.T.U. obtained 3000 names to a petition, praying for the closing of the liquor bars at fi o'clock. Over 100,000 signatures to this petition were obtained in the Dominion, and the petition was presented to Parliament.

A Provincial Council was held in May, delegates from eight other unions attending A public .nesting was held in the, evening, and was addressed by Miss 'Powell (Dominion organiser;. Two other public meetings were held, and tooic 'the form of social afternoons. Several new members were initiated. Eleven monthly meetings and twelve executive meetings had been held. Tho treasurer's balance-sheet was ■ oad, and showed a satisfactory credit •1 .nee.

file superintendent;; of tho various works carried on by the union then gave their reports. It wa.; stated that the cradle roll department was flourishing, about 350 children now being on the roll, and 50 have been added this year.

It resolved to ask the National Union that the, title might be changed to "The Little White Ribboners." The literature deparhne.it has been energetically taken up by a member of the union, and she is now able to send large parcels into the backblocks and other places ahout town. The Rest Room in the Carnegie library, which is under the supervision of the W.C.T.U., is just as great a coinfort to the public as ever, judging by the numbet who visit it.

Mrs. Allan Douglas asked that she be not nominated as president for the coming year, as she wished to be free of the duties connected with it. The offices of president and treasurer will be temporarily filled hy Mrs. Mclsaac and Mrs. Griffin respectively. Miss Taunt was re-elected treasurer.

Mrs. Douglas was warmly thanked for her services, which have extended over a period of 21 years. Mrs. Sievewright, from Peterhead, Scotland, gave an account of how the work was carried on there, the "meetings mostly taking the form of social night gatherings, when addresses were given by gentlemen. Mrs. Sievewriglit also said she would be glad to assist the work as much as she possibly can in this country.