IN THE FIELD.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 253, 18 July 1916, Page 8

IN THE FIELD.

For several weeks a considerable portion of my time was spent in canvassingl from house to house with the (> o’clock (losing petition in Kltham, Xg aere. New Phmouth, and Waitara, finding a very strong feeling in favour in all classes of society. 1 met with some funny incidents—l suppose we all did. One man told me to “go home and do my washing and ironing’’; another wouldn’t sign because “the poor publicans were half-starv-ing already, with so many men away!” while a third said, “If you’d ask me to sign to have more public-houses I would there's too few on ’em, they're too sassv.” For several Sundays 1 stood in the porch of Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist Chun lies, g< ttirg signatures. At the Alliance Convention a resolution was passed calling attention to the danger arising from the establishment in Nelson of rider manufactories, the residents having discovered in this industry a good way of turning the«r surplus apples to account. Another danger-point is the confectioners’ wine licenses, which arc* demoralising our boys and girls. It was pointed out that the way to block thes" is to put in temperance licensing committees all over the country. In the meantime, temperance people were advised to do their utmost to induce the public to refuse to deal with any tradesman holding a license. I reached Normauby on June <)<h, being the guest of Mrs Linn. An energetic canvass for new members was almost barren of results, the members having already cleared the ground so well no gleanings were left for anyone else. However, at the meeting on the 14tH, five more were obtained. On jjnd, I returned to assist at the unveiling of the Roll of Honour of the sons of Normanbv White Ribboners. On the 15th I travelled to I’renui where a branch had been hastily organised a month previously. Here three kindly friends Mesd.tines Waite, Gilliver, and Sowry—offered hospitality, as well as conducted me around on a visiting tour of the district. On Monday evening 1 gave the talk to the girls, and at the close u committee was formed to organise a Loyal Temperance Legion, with power to add (gentlemen) to their number. The Wednesday afternoon found a nice little company at Mrs Waite’s house;

three more joined, making a total of 20. Immediately after the meeting, Mrs Topler, an honorary member, motored me to Waitar 1 in readiness for the mail train the following morning, as I was due to speak in Normanbv in the evening After a long spell of glorious weath»*r, the rain and wind had commenced, and very few turned up. The next remove was to Ok.ti iw 1, where Mrs Joll kindly entertained me, and Miss Joll, our secretary, drove me around. The day of meeting wis heralded in with heavy showers, which naturally affected the atetndunce, but we had a nice little gathering. Six new members were obtained, and offices previously vacant filled. Stratford received me with a perfect downpour of cold rain, and how good it was to be so kindly welcomed by Mrs McAllister, and taken into a cosy bedroom, where a cheery tire was burning. A week’s work resulted in several new members, but a very small meeting, partly due, however, to the fact that the meetings are held on the half-holiday. On sth I went up to New Plymouth, and organised a branch at Fitzroy. As this is to be nursed by the District Union, and made a start with nearly twenty members transferred from New Plymouth, it should do well. The District Union will of course be depleted, but it is evident that our friends there are not pursuing a “little F.nglander” policy, but are prepared to sacrifice their own membership for the general good. M. S. POWELL, Dominion Organiser. Address: Until July ;ist, care Dr. Scott, Marton ; afterwards, care Mrs J. J. Patterson, Manaia. Taranaki.