Union and Temperance News.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 4, 1 October 1895, Page 6

Union and Temperance News.

Wellington. —We had a very good attendance at our monthly meeting. The Chinese mission, which has been carried on in our city for three and a half years by some of our members, has now been given over to the Y.P.S.C.E. This has been done at their own request, on condition that if they ever wish to give up the work they ' ive the W.C.T.U. the option of taking it up again. The President urged on all members the necessity of attending the educational meeting which is held on every third Thursday. We are hoping soon to raise some funds towards getting a room or rooms of our own. The meeting closed with our usual circle of prayer. Christchurch Union. —At thegeneral monthly meeting a portion of Mrs Josephine Butler’s second appeal to women was read. Mrs Venables was authorised to communicate with the Secretary of the Moral Reform Union in England, stating that the New Zealand Unions are unanimous in their demand for the repeal of the C.D. Acts. It was resolved to petition the Churches throughout New Zealand, asking them to discountenance drinking and gambling, and specially to evidence such discountenance by refusing to elect to office anyone promoting these evils. A grant was made

for relief work, and arrangements made for the usual booth on the Show-grounds. Kaiapoi. —On Wednesday, September 25, a special meeting in connection with this Union was called to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise. There was a very good attendance. Mesdames Dcllow, Scott, and Smalley all spoke on the evils of the drink traffic, and urged women to make good use of the franchise. Mrs Smalley said that some people thought the members of the W.C.T.U. were women of one idea, whereas there are over forty different branches of work in connection with the Union. Fourteen new members have joined during the year. Port Chalmers. —A successful tea meeting was held on Sept 27. The speakers at the after-meet-ing were Mesdames Kirkland, Porteous, and Miss Sears. Dunedin. —At the monthly meeting (Mrs Dick presiding) Mrs Kirkland reported having interviewed the secretary of the Medical Professions Association re having a paper read at the Medical Congress on the evils of alcohol as a medicine. After some discussion on the results of the interview, it was agreed that the Secretary of the Union write to Di Newman, of Wellington, on the subject. 1 he Secretary was instructed to write the President of the Medical Association re the manifesto received from the Moral Reform Union of London. Favourable reports were received from the superintendents of Children s Work and Unfermented Wine departments. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Presbyterian Synod re unfermented wine. The Union was informed that Mrs Hoffman, an American lady, would be willing to visit Dunedin and lecture in the interests of the W.C.T.U., if the Union were agreeable. Alter an animated discussion, it was agreed to invite Mrs Hoffman. Otlur correspondence was dealt with, and two new members were elected. Napier.—A petition, largely signed by members of the W C.T.U., was presented by Canon Webb, at the Anglican Synod, urging the use of unfermented wine at the Lord’s table. A friend of the Union had procured a bottle of Frank Wright’s wine, and presented it to the Synod, so that its quality might be tested ; and, although no definite decision was given, since then four Anglican Churches have adopted its use, and we have every reason to hope that more will follow. At the same meeting, on the motion of the Rev C. jordan, seconded by the Rev J. Wills, a resolution was passed, expressing the opinion that the legalised sale of intoxicating liquors ought to be abolished by the vote of the people. “ With God we are marching on.”—Circular letters ha”e been sent by the Napier W.C.T.U. to every minister in Hawke's Bay, asking them to preach a strictly temperance

sermon. This is in compliance with a request from Mrs Kirkland, N.Z. Superintendent of Evangelistic Work, and we hope will arouse those ministers who are behind the times on the lemperance question to stir themselves and feel they must be in touch with the people with this most-needed reform of the day. Christchurch. —The anniversary of our enfranchisement was celebrated by an “At Home' in the Art Gallery. A large number of invitations were sent out and accepted, fully 300 ladies being present. The large room was tastefully arranged and decorated, and light refreshments daintily served. The President, Mrs Ballantyne, received, while Mrs Munnings roused her audience to a sense of the responsibility resting upon them as enfranchised women, and Mrs Newton gratefully referred to Mrs Sheppard s labours on behalf of New Zealand women. Rev P. R. Monro and Mr T. E. Taylor enlightened the assembly on l emperance mattei s generally, and the wastefulness of the drink traffic, and the injustice of the three-fifths majority in particular. The special cause for rejoicing about the meeting was the presence in large numbers of iadies who are not to be found at any ordinary temperance gathering.