News of the Unions.

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 277, 18 July 1918, Page 13

News of the Unions.

(The Editor cannot promise to insert anythng in the next issue that does not reach her by the Bth of the month Correspondents are requested to write their Reports as concisely as possible, on one side of the paper only. Newspaper cuttings are unsuitable.) PALMERSTON NORTH. June 7. Mrs Crabb presided. Letters were read from Sir Janies Allen and the Hon. J. A. Hanan suiting tk.it on the question of educational reform the representations made would rccr ive conr .deration, each promising to support partial reform. Mesdames Barnett, Kenrick, Hoddcr, and Palmer are to visit local schools and report to the Union on their condition. Mesdames Cullen and Kenrick xvt re appointed to represent the Union at the No-License Conference. DEVONPORT. June 12. Mrs Ban in the chair, and eight members present. Mrs Dewar, from the City I nion, was the speaker. Another box of cakes is to be sent to Featherston Camp. A discussion took place on several subjects brought forward by the Executive, viz., th'* W hite Ribbon hutment in France, the National Council of Women, and the big mass meeting of men organised by Mr Bassett, of Wanganui, to abolish the drink traffic the end of the* war, all met with enthusiastic support. Members urged to provide woollen comforts for mine-sweepers. LEIGH. June i. An “American Tea,” the President in the chair. A fair attendance of members and four visitors. One new member. The question ot sewing for the Red Cross was relegated to an Executive meeting. A vote of sympathv with Mr and Mrs Maunder in the death of their son in France was passed. WANGANUI. June 6. Mrs Smith in the chair. Decided to send Mrs Macalistcr as delegate to the Taranaki Provincial Convention. Mrs R. Smith appointed delegate on No-License League Union. President appointed to attend Confer ence of No-Liccnse Workers at Palmer- • ston on nth inst. Decid 'd to have a mine-sweepers' day as early as possible. NGAKRE. June 4. Meeting at the residence of Mrs Ellis. Reports of year’s work prepared for Convention. Afternoon tea was served. BLENHEIM. May 7. Mrs Litchfield presided. Attendance good. Mrs T. Pike to represent us on Band of Hope Cominit-

tee. Resignation of Mrs 11. CL Litchfield as Secretary w. ( s accept’d. Mrs 11. S. Horne appointed successor. June 4. Mrs Litclif cld pr* sided. Attendance fair. An interesting dis cussion took place on Temp’rancc advance in America. A vote >f sympathy was passed with Mrs W. Pike in the loss of her son. killed at the Front. W AIPUKURAU June 14. Donation of x-5o for mine-sweepers received from A. and P. Association. Decided to assist in Petition Campaign. Dei id d to Mrs Neal to address our next meeting, and collection to be taken lor Maori Fund. HAW ERA. June 25. Mrs J. S. Young presided, 15 members present. Decided that Miss Maunder, and, if possible, two more members, should repri sent our Union at the Conference of p <>iiibition workers to b* held at Stratford Interesting reports of the Stratford Provincial Convention were given by Mrs Peacock and Mrs Hilling. Mrs Young gave a report of the N.Z. Alii ance Convention, held at Pabnerston North on Jun° 11th. Decided to s. nd for one dozen collecting <. rds fi>r the White Ribbon Hutment Fund. FEILDING. June 6. A good attendance MUs Powell presided. A deputaton v.as appointed to wait on the Ministers’ Association to try and arrange for Bible lessons in the schools on the Nelson system. Mrs Beattie was elected delegate to the Convention to be held in Palmerston next we°k. Miss Walton and Mrs Richardson were welcomed as a deputation from the Teachers’ Association. Mrs Mai was appointed Sui>erintendent of th“ Cradle Roll. A number of new members wer: received. RAKAIA June 6. A united meeting of the W.C.T.U., P W M i . d d Union was held in St. Mark’s Schoolroom. Nurse Chappell gave a very interesting address on “Social Hygiene.” Then was a large attendance. Mrs Blakiston presided. Mrs Boag proposed a vote of thanks, which was heartily responded to. AVONDALE. June 18. A well-attended meeting, presided ov"r by Mrs Stevens. Report o. the N.Z. Alliance Convention was given by the delegate, Mrs 1 hompson. An appeal from Mrs Nimmo for comforts for mine-sweepers was received. A resolution was carried, “That this Branch of the W .C.T.U. is of the opinion that hotel bars should be closed on the arrival of transports and for 24 hours after. One new member was initiated. N.E. VALLEY. June 27. Mrs Pert presided. The following resolution was carried: — “The N.E. Valley branch of the

W.C.T.U. urge that in cases where the |h»lice take action with regard to i>ersons found on premises susinutcd of being for immoral purposes, the nu n as well as the women found there should be made responsible. The Union holds thai in .*ri«">tiiik and punishing the women only th- law encourages a d »üble standard of morality.” The members were asked to a.tend the n* xt meeting of tnc Hram h on Jul> ist, when .rnponant business will be dealt with. Mrs Medlin kindly gave a solo, which was much enjoyed. RICHMOND (NELSON). June 12. Mrs Price presided. Attendance small. Collection tor minesweepers. A very inspiring address by Mr Price on the work of the W.C.T.I . He urged women to do all they could to banish drink and other evils from our land. He received h-ar.y vote of thanks. TIMAKU. June. Mrs Rule presided. Attendance fair. Votes of condolence to two members who had lost friends. Report from Hospital Visitors. Vote of thanks for coal sent to Sailors’ . est. Decidtd to do ail |x>ssible to assist in securing educational reform. Resolution forwarded to Munster of Justice protesting against the law which allows a double standard of morality, as shown in Kelburn case, when women were arrested and men allowed to go free. R< solved to do our utmost to help in Petition Campaign. Resolved to collet t for White Ribbon Hutment Lund. A most helpful address from Nurse Chappell. Decided to form a Study Circle ujkmi matters she spoke about. Dl NKDIN. July 2. White Ribbon Day was celebrated in Dunedin by a special meeting attended bv over one hundred women. Rev. R. S. Gray gave a forceful anti inspiring audress, detailing the plans of the Hurricane Campaign to be held in connection with the petition th it will be presented at the next session of Parliament. At the close of the address the following resolution was curried unanimously and with acclamation: “That this meeting heartily approves of the |>etition on the lines suggested by the Alliance, and pledges itself to do all in its power to secure signatures.” The concert kindly given by Miss Ivy Maicngarb and her pupils for our Hutment Fund was a great success. Hearty thanks was accorded the promoter. HASTINGS. June it. Mrs Williams, representing Society, attended, and urged the establi*’ mrnt of a Plunket Maternity Home .or Hastings.. Mrs J. W ilson sj»oke on work of the Union, basing her remarks on White Ribbon bow. Committee of three appointed to cL*al with educational matters. Afternoon tea.

June 27. Good attend.ince. Correspondence dealt with. Mrs Wilson . ppointed corresponding delegate No. 2 area council. Decided to hold two functions, a public one for the mine swec|>*!rs, and a Cmon one for the Stamen’s Rc*q. Refreshments. Decided hi-d n augural “V mrciiifg Ju v t>th Reports received Provincial. Convention delegates No. 2 Area Coun- < ’ inaugural conference, Palmerston North, and from Educational Comnmt« - . GREYTOW N. June 25. Meeting held in th*' Presbyterian Sunday School, President in hr 4 hair. Several etters n ."I. dii cussion postponed till July qth, as several memb°rs were absent. GISBORNE. June 24. Special meeting to celebrate White Ribbon Day at Findlay’s Room. Mrs Walker gave .in account ci Maori work in North Island. Substantial collection in aid of M tori Fund. Revs. Chattert on and Abb y addressed the gathering Song by Rev. Tainati Te Kanapu, and recitation by Mrs Fast. Four new members. Mrs Goffe elected Onion representative on No. 2 Area Conn il. Regret expressed at absence of Secretary, caused by her husband’s illness. WELLINGTON CENTRAL. June 21. Mrs A. R. Atkinson presided. Decided to distribute copies of Mrs Nimmo’s appeal for minesweepers; also to collect for th** fund. Resolved: “That in view of the general satisfaction expressed at Mr McCarthy’s fearless, just, and consistent administration of the law during his t**rm as Magistrate in Wellington, this meeting of the W.C.T.I*. respectfully urges the Minister of Justice* to arrange* thai his services shall be retained for this city." AUCKLAND. June 5. o|x*ning of h n adqu irtcrs in Wellington Chambers, Wellesley Street East. Ibis h «s been a longfelt want in our city. Mrs Cook (President) in the chair. A very imprest v** dedicatory address was delivered by Rev. Reuben Bailey. Short speeches of congratulation were viven by the officers of the Branch Unions and Y’ officers. Aft°rnoon tea was dispensed. The headquarters will be open daily from 10 to 4. Y’isiting White Ribhoners arc invited to rome for rest, inspiration, ind information. Jl') ur “Y”’ Bran h will hold their meetings in the ne w headquarters. AUCKLAND DISTRICT June 12. Thanksgiving meeting in the Central Mission Hall. Mr?* Cook presided. The choir, orche tra, and band of Central Mission have kindly consented to give a patriotic concert for our Hutment and Minesweepers’ Fund. The following resolutions were carried: “The* Auckland District Women’s Christiar Tempeiduce

Union strongly protests against the privcdme followed in the recent Kelburn case, where all the women present in the* house were arrested, while th- men were illowed to go free. It urges, in the* interest of common justice, t c arrest of men as well as women, foil d on ted premises, rei arding the m as equally responsible (3) “The l nion .ds » considered that it is nothing short of a scandal that the names of the women arrested were published, although ,»t the time of arrest the i>olice knew some of them to be innocent, and itheis h ive since been acquitted.” (3) “ T he Union further condemns the inhumanity shown to th** women by the withholding of the verdict for over a month.” The Union reaffirms our long standing demands for (1) separate Courts for women; (2) the establishment of farm colonies for men and women convicted of offences against morality. AUCKLAND. June 2b. Mec ing in the interest of the Maori wor . Mrs Cook presided, and there was a large attend.inc e. A music >1 programme was arranged. A unique feature was hymns in Maori by a returned Maori sojdier. The Rev. Brown Gevmer, a young Samoan student, sang in his nativ- tongue. A report of the Maori work was giv«*n by the Superintendent, and collection taken. One member was initiated. Names of those willing to help in the Prohibition Campaign were taken. MARTON. The May and June meetings were attended bv Miss Powell. Her few days’ vi'itiffg resulted in a good attendance, and some honorary members. Our l nion is in readiness for the great fight. CHRISTCHURCH. June 12. White Ribbon Day, Miss Roberts presiding. Attendance good. Decided to distribute 500 appeals for mine-sweepers and to odl-ct for the ‘und. Mrs Drinnen gave an account <>f her first six months as White Ribbon Superintendent, and stated six new subscribers received sine** Convention. Mis*. Henderson re id a rejiort of M tori work written by Mrs Walker. \fternoon tea, and duet by Mrs and Miss Ibbotsrn. Jun»* 26. Miss Roberts presided. Attendance good. Letters asking for help in the Petition Campaign, minesweepers’ fund, educational reform, and Lady Liverpool Fund. Decided to hold Sale for Lady I.iver|H>c>l Fund. Vote of sympathy with Mrs Hayes on the death of her son. WANGANUI FAST. June. Attendance small. Decided that in futuic the Union meet as previously last Friday in month, at 2.30. Correspondence received from Mrs \imm<\ mine sweepers ; Mrs Moves, Superintendent Back blocks ; and Mrs Henderson. It was announced that

Mrs Peryman, Editor of “White Ribbon,” Mrs Napier, and probably Mrs Kyncton Parkes (England), would >hortl> be holding meetings in Wanganui East. After an animated discussion, the following resolution was passed unanimously:—“The Wanganui East Branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union urges that »n cases where the |K>lire take action with regard to |>ersons found on premises suspected of being used for immoral purposes, the men as well as the women found there should be made responsible and punishable. Ihe Union holds that in arresting and punishing the women only the law encourages a double standard of morality.” White Ribbon Day was celebrated, and the Rev. W . (i. W illiams gave a most interesting address on work amongst the* Maoris. A collection was taken up, amounting to i ts bd. TAURANU.A. May 2c>. Mrs Chap|M*ll presided, attendance fair. Mrs Webster gave a very fine address on Temperance. Afternoon tea handed round. Mrs PetcbD, “W.R.” Agent, resigned. Mrs Christensen elected. |unc 26. Mrs Christian presided, ten members present. Letters were read by Mrs Turner. Resolved to hold special meeting to discuss wavs and means to raise funds for the mineswan pers. Mrs Ridley, Cradle Roll Superintendent, resigned ; Mrs Christensen elected. NELSON. Monthly meeting, June 11th, Mrs Watson presiding. Resolutions of sympathy passed with the relatives of th - late Mrs Crump and Mr C. Y. Fell. Appeal read from Mrs Nimmo on behalf of New Zealand Sailors’ Tea Fund and for the miners weepers at Home. Mrs Knapp appointed organiser lor this work. Five names given iti as subscribers to the ‘White Ribbon,” this meeting being the celebration ol White Ribbon Day. Letter from Mrs Walker, Maori Superintendent. read from the “White Ribbon.” and,collection (lbs (>d) taken for the Maori Fund. Mrs Field read some interesting extracts f-om “Jus Suffrage,” giving some details of the gaining of the franchise for British women on February Oth. A letter was read from Ladv Stout in reference to the Kelburn raid, and th»* following resolution pissed: -“This meeting of the Nelson W.C.T.I . desires to protest strongly against the inequality of the* treatment of men and women in the carrying out of th° law dealing v ith cases of social immorality, as evidenced by the recent Kelburn raid rase.” Forwarded to the Minister for Justice and the Acting-Prime Minister. June 28. A social afternoon was given to meet Mrs Napier, Dominion V Organiser, who gave a most interesting and inspiring address. Mrs Napier also addressed two meetings of the “Y” Branch and one of the L.T.L.