W.C.T.U.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1940, Page 8

W.C.T.U.

MEETING IN MASTERTON WORK OF UNION IN GERMANY. The first meeting of the local W.C.T.U. to be held in the McLaren Room of Knox Church was well attended. Miss Tankersley presiding. Devotions were led by Mrs. Sims in the absence of Miss Jansen and she read the 17th chapter of St. John's Gospel. Several apologies for absence were received. In regard to a delegate from Wellington visiting the Wairarapa unions, it was decided that the May meeting would be the most suitable date. It was also resolved to invite the Carterton and Dalefield Unions to attend or in the alternative the delegate to visit Carterton, where a larger number would be likely to attend. An invitation was received from Major Mahaflie inviting the members to a meeting at the Salvation Army Hall which would be addressed by Commissioner and Mrs. Evan Smith. A letter of thanks for a donation was received from Mrs. Norrie, of the Timaru Sailors.

ft was decided to send a letter of sympathy’ to Mrs. Nellie Miller, who is in the Masterton Hospital and to wish her a speedy recovery. It was decided to send a letter of thanks to the secretary of the Methodist Church Trust for the use of _ihe rooms since the fire at Knox Churcn. A vocal solo was rendered by Mrs. H. Speight. The temperance fact was read by the secretary as follows: The drink traffic is a standing insult to the morality oi the nation; it is a standing hindrance io tiie spread of the Gospel of Christ; it is a standing curse upon the commercial prosperity of the race. —Canon Wilberforce. Miss Tankersley read several extracts from the British "White Ribbon.' reviewing the work o! the W.C.I.U. in various parts of the world and con- ■ tained in the secretary's report to the annual council of Britain: "Finland not only had the lowest consumption of alcohol per person of any European country but also produced tile finest sportsmen and women. In Germany the W.C.T.U. is the only women's organisation now remaining there and this is largely due to the conspicuous work in connection with the Olympic sports in Berlin when the Union had charge of the catering i'or the sportswomen of the world. In Norway there are five W.C.T.U. homes for sailors mid fishermen. The law there forbids motor drivers taking alcohol eight hours before driving. Sweden has temperance leaching in schools for which there are generous State grants. In New Zealand there was a law to prevent the consumption of spirituous liquors al dances. The meeting decided to send a parcel of warm garments to the Finnish or Polish refugees. An interesting meeting terminated with the pronouncing of the Benediction.