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RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND (MRS NAPIER).

At last meeting Dunedin Union had the pleasure of listening to an address from Mrs Napier, who was at one time an active member of the Union, and one of the foremost workers in tin great crusade for Woman Suffrage in New Zealand. Mrs Napier has returned to our Dominion after an absence of 14 years, spent mostly in Kd in burgh. She has been an active worker in Scotland, and holds the position of Secretary for Edinburgh and the Lothians, and in addition is President of two Branches. Mrs Napier has concluded the business that brought her to our shores, but on going to secure a passage back to the Old Land, she finds that she will not be allowed to leave New Zealand until the embargo is lifted. However, “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” and as a result of Mrs Napier’s enforced detention we are hoping to have the benefit of her charming personality, her wide experience, her inspiring words, and her great enthusiasm at our Convention ir; Auckland. Mrs Napier gave a most interesting address. She said that never had women done more work, and never was there more need of it. At the outbreak of the war our Union was urged to amalgamate with the patriotic societies. But they decided that as the largest body of women in Scotland, they should do aggressive work, and not sink their identity in a larger organisation. The work was varied, as they tried to minister to the temporal, pnysical, and spiritual needs of the soldiers. Our women had done nobly. Never had they been called on in vain, and the work had been done- at a cost of splendid sac rifice and self-denial on their part. Great reforms had been made in the sale of drink in Scotland; the hotels no longer open at 6 a.m., but at Q. 30 a.m., and close not at 11 p.m., or even 10, but at 9.30 p.m. ; also they close for certain hours every day, and during those hours drink was not obtainable at all. And the women were working and praying that soon drink would not be* obtainable at all in Scotland. A letter had just been received from a gentleman, who was not on our side, and he said: “I expect you will be pleased to hear that we

are to be on short rations, only half as much beer and spirit is to be allowed to be manufactured.” In Scotland the White Kibboners number about ig,ooo; there are 11 Unions. The constitution of all Unions is the same, but their work is very varied. In Edinburgh the Unions established rest rooms for soldiers, which are splendidly patronised. The favourite fare of the boys was porridge. At first they only made porridge for supper, but at the request of the men it was made for afternoon tea, and boys by the dozen come in asking how soon the porridge will be ready. They sell a plate of porridge and milk for ijd. Six fires are kept going continually, and the men can read and write and be comfortable all the time. In Glasgow, two Branches set up a canteen and catoed for hundreds of workmen. They provide splendid meals at a nominal cost, and the Government allows them a subsidy to erect buildings to house the men. It is no trouble to get Branches to organise in Scotland. After speaking to an audience in Cancngate, Edinburgh, every hand in the room was put up to signify their willingness to join our Union, and over 100 joined that Branch. A flourishing young people’s branch was also started. Down in the slums it is a scandal to any nation to allow licenses to be so thickly planted. In some slum parts almost every other house is a publichouse or a licensed grocer. The Edinburgh Union took a keen interest in the movement for national insurance. They opened an office for women to register, and gathered them in by thousands. Over 30.000 women joined the women’s society for national insurance. Our hope lies in the young. One branch formed of business girls numbered 200 members. When they were asked at the outbreak of the war if they could give some time to work for the* Belgian Red Cross Fund, they at once agreed to work three nights a week, and a letter received lately told her that they were working just as earnestly in her absence as they had done when she was among them. The Union had taken a plebiscite of Scotland urging Government to grant them Prohibition. They pointed out that it was a scandal to use good food to manufacture poison for the brain at a tim * when all the best brains were

needed. The women of New Zealand should work earnestly, and endeavour to create an atmosphere favourable to prohibition. Some time ago, when taking a motor trip through rough country, it was the cry often heard when the ’bus got into difficulties, “Passengers get out and push.” We should get out and push. Our cause was worth fighting for. We shall not get anything unless wo are in deadly earnest. Let us remember to get out and push.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.I whakaputaina aunoatia ēnei kuputuhi tuhinga, e kitea ai pea ētahi hapa i roto. Tirohia te whārangi katoa kia kitea te āhuatanga taketake o te tuhinga.
Permanent link to this item
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/WHIRIB19170319.2.30

Bibliographic details
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White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 261, 19 March 1917, Page 11

Word count
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881

RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND (MRS NAPIER). White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 261, 19 March 1917, Page 11

RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND (MRS NAPIER). White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 261, 19 March 1917, Page 11

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