WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10088, 8 September 1910, Page 3

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

PUBLIC MEETING.

At the public meeting on Tuesday evening in connection with the district convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, there was a crowded attendance of the general public. Mrs L. Devonport, in opening the meeting, said she was pleased to see so many present. She said that the Masterton branch of the Union had the honour of having the first convention held in a No-License district in the North Island. Mrs Devonport then introduced the provincial president of the Union, Mrs Boxshal, of Wellington, and handed the meeting over to her. Mrs Boxshal, in rising to speak, was greeted with applause. She gave a very interesting address on the objects and work of the Ur.Ln. Their motto was, "For God, Home, and Humanity." The movement first began in Ireland in 1873, and was now a world-wide movement. In New Zealand there were 63 branches at the present time, representing over 2000 members. Mrs Boxshal said she was very pleased to see so many Maori sisters present. The Maoris were accomplishing a great and noble work among their people in the Masterton district. Mrs MacAlister, secretary of the Wellington Central Union, read a letter from Mrs Chappel, who is representing the New Zealand Union at the World's Convention in England. Dr. Hellen Cowie gave a very interesting and instructive address on the effect of alcohol on the nervous system. She stated that a large percentage of nervous diseases were due to the effect of alcohol on the i system. She quoted some very interesting statistics that went to prove conclusively that abstainers were far superior in every calling in life to those who indulged in alcohol, even in moderate quantities. Mrs Cowie said that the future race would be a teetotal race, and that a, teetotal nation would be the, greatest nation. Mrs Tai Te Tau gave a brief description of the work that was being carried on in Masterton by the Maoris. The Maori branch in Masterton now had 30 members, and a new branch formed at Taueru a fortnight ago had now a membership of 20. Between 50 and 60 Maoris had signed the pledge since these branches were' formed. Mrs Te Tau spoke very strongly on the o-ood effect of No-License on her people in this town. The white people had brought the drink to the Maori, and it was only right that they should vote it out, and help the Maori to become a good citizen. Mrs Te Tau gave a brief description of the work of Miss Sterling and herself among the natives in the Masterton and Hawke's Bay districts. Everywhere they had visited they had been well received, and had been very successful in their work. Speeches were also made by the President of the Taueru Native branch, and other native workers, for whom Mrs Te Tau acted as interpreter. During the evening Mrs Te Tau sung very sweetly "Home Sweet Home" in Maori, for which she received a well-merited recall. Songs were also rendered during the evening by several of the visiting delegates. At the conclusion votes of thanks were passed to the delegates and Maori sisters for their attendance at the convention, to the pianist (Miss Waddington), to the. trustees of the Methodist Church for the use of the schoolroom, and Messrs McLeod and Young for the kind use. of the piano. Jho singing of ilie" Temperance" Doxology tfoneluded the meeting.