Notes and Comments.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 5, 1 November 1895, Page 4

Notes and Comments.

Will our friends, when remitting subscriptions, &c., kindly address to Mrs W. S. Smith, the business manager. Great inconvenience is caused when money orders are made payable to one or other of the editors.

Once a year have the Christchurch Union members an opportunity of publicly showing '.hat the study of political and social problems does not incapacitate women for their duties as the “ loaf givers ”of the nation. The booth on the Show Grounds is now quite an institution. Excellent the provisioning has always been, and this year proved no exception to the rule, the whole arrangements being even more perfect than heretofore. The two-fold object of the undertaking—ist, to provide a tempting meal without offering inducements to indulge in strong drink ; and, 2nd., to raise funds for the year’s work —has thus been once more attained. The treatment of criminals is evidently a question calling for the earnest attention and consideration of thoughtful women. In the home it is usually the mother who can most readily quell the spirit of rebellion, and subdue the passions. Ought not the mothers to try their hand at reforming the refractory children ei a larger growth ? We hope soon to hear of the matter being thoroughly discussed in all its aspects, by the various women’s organisations throughout the colony.

Elective Executive. —That the men practically holding the reins of Government should be* the nominees of one man is certainly not in harmony with democratic ideas, and is no doubt largely responsible for many of the evils of party Government. Let us hope that the principles laid down in Major Steward’s Bill providing for the direct election of the Executive by the people through their representatives may shortly be made operative.

Women in the Churches —According to latest reports it appears likely ':hat the great Methodist Episcopal Church of America will presently admit women delegates to its legislative assembly. In England the refusal of the Wesley* n Conference to so recognise women has called forth some lively articles from a variety of satirical pens. It is quite \ robable that by this time some of the conservative “ holy men ” type of individuals wish that, for “peace’s sake,” as Mr Hugh Price Hughes quaintly put it, they had granted the request. Cycling for Children. —In an article on the “ Perils of Cycling,” Sir B. W. Richardson especially warns those under twenty-one. “ Cycling should not be carried on with any ardour while the body is undergoing its development—the skeleton is not completely matured until twenty-one years of life have been given to it.” The principal injury is to the spinal column, the heart, the brain, and nervous system.