CORRESPONDING SECRETARY’S REPORT.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 262, 18 April 1917, Page 9

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY’S REPORT.

The reports presented by the majority of the Unions last year are distinctly encouraging, showing, as they do, very solid evidence that the Women s Christian Temperance Union is making a steady advance in the Dominion, and that the members are realising more and more how much women can and should do to maintain a high standard of national life. No one could read the reports without being impressed by the v ide and varied activities of the Unions. As in iqis, the most important national undertaking was the campaign tor 6 o’clock closing of liquor bars. The longer time at our disposal enabled a more thorough organisation of our forces ; the Unions nobly responded, with the result that petitions bearing over 100,000 signatures were presented to Parliament. The petitions were supported by letters, telegrams, public meetings, deputations to Cabinet Ministers, and every other means that were available. Again our efforts were futile. The usual method known as “talking the question out” was resorted to, in order to prevent the matter being discussed by Parliament. In spite of this, however, some of the Temperance supporter in the House took advantage of the introduction of the War Regulations Bill to put forward various early closing proposals, but these were all defeated. The demand for the prohibition of “shouting” was more successful, for under the War Regulations this practice has been made illegal.

Other matters which called for a national effort were the demand for the appointment of women police and the protest rendered necessary by the Government’s regulations for dealing with the social evil. The war has continued to make great demands upon our members, and, with very few exceptions, the l nions report assistance given to e.verv branch of Red Cross and other patriotic work; in all probability the few l nions which do not report work in this direction are doing their share*, though not under the name of the Union. Work among the* young is, as in previous years, one of the most gratifying features of the* rc ports. Loyal Temperance Legions arc* multiplying rapidly, but the movement is confined to the North Island; this is no doubt due to the tact that many of the Unions there have been able* to take advantage of the services of Mrs Duxfield, to whose effort*, we owe the existence of so many L.T.L. branches. In the* South Island the Unions are not behind hand in efforts to train the young people in Temnerane principles; quite a number report flourishing Bands of Hope*. ()ne of the most interesting reports comes from the* little Union at Tuata|H*re. While this Union has done its share of the* usual work, its special effort for the year was of an unusual nature. Part of the annual report runs as follows:—“We have worked for 11 months to try and get a District Nurse. As there is a fastgrowing population in the district, and our nearest medieal aid i*. over 20 miles away, we thought, after reading in ‘White Ribbon’ ‘Rule's for District Nurses,’ that a nurse was the greatest need of our district, and, if one with high ideals and Temperance sentiments could be induced to come*, unlimited good might be the outcome. We called committee meetings, printed pamphlets, etc., and worked with Wallace Hospital Board, hut so far, after many advertisements in the daily papers, have met with no success. Perhaps after the war is over nurses will be more plentiful, and then we may rejoice that our labour in this respect was not in vain.” Before the report was sent, Mrs Harrison was able to add as a footnote: “fust received word that a District Nurse has been appointed. W’e arc* very thankful.” The number of Unions at the close of iqt6 was 07—Of adult, and 4 “Y’s.” Papakura has lapsed owing to the removal from the district of some of the most active members, but, on the other hand. 10 new Unions hhve been formed, and Tauranga has been reorganised. The new Unions are Brightwater, Richmond, Wakefield and Whakapuaka. in the Nelson district; Marlon, in Palmerston North ; To Kuiti, in Hamilton; Fitzrov and Uienui, in Taranaki: Kati Kati. in Auckland; and a “Y” Union at Wanganui. A number of the Unions report that new members were

gained in canvassing from house. to house for signatures to the six o’clock closing petition. The total financial membership of the Union is 3639. It is a matter for regret that there is only one branch of our Union on the West Coast of the South Island, (ireymouth still holds its own, but we'ought not to be content with that. There are as great opportunities for Union work on the Coast as elsewhere in New Zealand. The practice of holding “Provincial Conventions” has become firmly established, and splendid work is being clone in this direction. It is possible for all the Unions concerned to be represented at these Conventions, which thus serve as a more immediate source of inspiration and help than the National Convention 'an be. In conclusion, I must remind delegates that unless Parliament has the temerity to further prolong its own life, a poll for National Prohibition will be taken next year, and this year we should be making greater preparations than we have ever made before. The next poll should be the women’s great opportunity to sweep the liquor traffic from this land.