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White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 1, 1 May 1895, Page 1

With this issue our infant opens its eyes upon a world often described as cold, hard, and cruel -a world, however, which, as it is pretty much what each of us makes it for herself, we hope will prove kind and friendly to our nursling. Happily we I have all over the colony a number of White-ribbon Women waiting to open their motherly arms to her, to make her a member of the family, introduce her to their friends, and otherwise do their best to secure her success in life. As the > recent Convention held in Wellington is responsible for her existence, we have no fear of her reception. When, after sundry hints given, and references made, the delegate from Christchurch stood up to introduce the subject, some feminine breasts heaved with emotions the reverse of congratulatory. “We must hold these good friends in," was our reflection, “for they are moving on too fast. If we allow our Canterbury steed to have

his head, he will bolt with the whole team !" So we pursued a cautious and conservative policy. We said that our numbers were not large enough, neither was cur strength sufficiently great, to warrant such an undertaking : that W.C.T.U. women could not lend themselves to so wild a scheme, or couple their hitherto-respectable names with such a word as “ failure.” In fact, we made use of the arguments generally used by the stick-in-the-mud portion of the community at every new turn of the road. But Christchurch had gone irco details in a remarkably business-like manner, and could tell us to a penny what would be the cost, and how many copies must be sold to make the paper pay. Question and answer flew like squibs on Guy Fawke’s Day, and with each halfhour the tide rose until, after thoroughly ventilating the subject, Convention, without a single dissentient voice, declared itself in favour of the project. I'here had been from the commencement no question as to the great benefit our work would derive, but, like good housekeepers, we had no intention of living beyond our income. Once convinced that—given a fair amount of activity on the part of our local Unions-we could pay for what we ordered, we gave in our whole-uearted allegiance to the scheme. It now remains for our members to endorse the action of their representatives by pushing the sale of our journal in every direction. There is no doubt that our paper will prove exceedingly helpful in binding together our branches all over the colony. It is comparatively easy for district Unions to keep in touch with one another, but a handful of workers in a country township are very apt to think themselves so few and so feeble that they can produce no impression, and may as well give up. Let them grasp the idea that they belong to a world wide organization with a membership of 800,000 women, and strength and courage return, They recognise

that each individual member is an added strength to the whole, and determine to hold on. Often, when inviting strangers to our meetings, we are asked “ What is the W.C.T.U.? ” A copy of the White Ribbon placed in the hand of the questioner will furnish a sufficient answer. We hope that it may prove a means of educating our readers. No olc recognises more than White-ribboners themselves how much they have to learn. Reports of work from local Unions will suggest new ways of working. News from America and England will show what our sisters in other lands are doing and what methods they employ. As this paper is entirely edited and managed by women, every woman in New Zealand should read it. Being undenominational it appeals to all Christians, and as it is the aim of our Union to help all in need of help, every philanthropist should hold up our hands. By way of interesting the many children in sympathy with otir aims we shall have a corner for the young, with anecdotes, riddles, etc. We hope they will also be interested in the serial, primarily intended for their elders. In fact, with such a liberal and all-embracing policy as ours —“ For God, and Home, and Humanity”—we may fairly expect to interest all sorts i.nd conditions of women. Everything that pertains to the welfare of the race may fittingly find a place in our columns, from the discussion of ethics to the ioke that provokes “ a laugh that's w’orth a hundred groans.” The editorial staff have undertaken this work in the Master’s name and for the Master's sake ; they ask not only your hearty co-operation, but your prayers that this paper may help to answer the petition “ I hy kingdom come,” and bring nearer the time when the knowledge of God shall cover the earth as the waters cover the mighty deep.