The White Ribbon. For God, and Home, and Humanity" WELLINGTON AUGUST 1, 1946. A CHATTY HALF-HOUR WITH THE EDITOR

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 7, 1 August 1946, Page 4

The White Ribbon. For God, and Home, and Humanity" WELLINGTON AUGUST 1, 1946. A CHATTY HALF-HOUR WITH THE EDITOR

It would be very nice if my readers could pop in to see me now and then, to talk over some of tlie little matters that do occasionally seem to need just that to put them into order. In my remote eyrie, far from the madding crowd, it i* seldom indeed that this can happen; so, hoping earnestly that other motives than that of thrusting personal considerations before your long-suffering eyes will suggest themselves as the reason for this departure, we will proceed. How alxmt discussing the question of reports received just too late for the next issue?

1 really do feel so sorry every month for the reporters whose reports arrive, sometimes in considerable numbers, on or about the 17th of the month. Often a little note accompanies them, hoping that they arc not too late. Shall I outline what really happens about the reports ? Well, as they come in, by ones, twos, and sometimes by dozens each day, they are put into their districts, and as quickly as possible typed, ready for the printers. One or two sheets of paper are prepared for each district’s reports, and one by one, they arc fdled up. By the fifteenth, the last day possible fer them to be dealt v *h, they are all, including those arriving by that day’s mail, ready to send off. Now, I am sure you will sec how difficult and upsetting it would be to fish out the proper sheet, and add more reports, even if time as required for printing would allow of this to be done. Moral: Send in your report on the first, not the last possible day. Without in any way wishing to complain, I would point out that at the end of the time allowed for preparing the copy, the fewer reports

that need handling, the better. Oh, yes, of course I do know that sorns meetings are held very close to the fifteenth; and that it is difficult to get these in early. 1 am fully prepared for these to come n late; and don’t mind in the least; but it is really true that many days ela )se between some meetings and the arrival of the reports thereon. It is an excellent rule to have, to write it if possible the same day as the meeting is held. Apropos of this, I recall that now and then I am asked why reports have not appeared. This is a puzzle to me, but usually, if they do not appear in the issue intended, they do in the next. A check will he kept in fu.ure, so that a definite reply may he given to such inquiries. Model • eports were fer a! Dominion Convention. Now. what al>out them ?

Anything stereotyped and robbed of its individual character and charm is not exactly pleasant reading. So I hesitat * to set out a schedule. No two meetings arc exactly alike art they? I have sometimes wondered how* it would work out say that so many named Unions opened their meetings with a hymn, and so many others closed with the Benediction. How funny it would look, wouldn’t it? No, I don’t quite think that would he a good idea at all. Well, then, could we take it for granted that all meetings are thus opened and closed; and, unless some other method is used, or something special requires particular mention, eliminate those details? I think it is worth, trying. It is always nice to see the name of a dear friend in some tar-awav Union report; and a real!*/ useful purpose is served—that of serving as a means of communication between our members. So we welcome names in connection with actual Union life. Good judgment is shown when the reason of mentioning friends by name is worth while. In response to requests, we have agreed that tea hostesses’ names may be included. It would be quite enough, however, to say; “Tea hostesses, Mesdames So-and-So.” and not to tell us the very well-known and understood fact tha. “Afternoon tea was served.’’ We know it was, is a.ul will he. So, save the space and time and paper by letting readers take that as understood. It will make quite a difference if the forty or fifty reports have those few words less.

It is rather too much to give the outline of an address, or the text of a

Temperance Fact in the bttle space of your report. Why do yon not put the "Fact,” if it is a really good one, separately from the report in the same envelope? It is no more trouble to you, bui saves me quite a good deal of time if this is done. And, nothing pleases me more than to-receive a wellarranged outline of ar address. That goes into the “Specials,’’ and is read by more people than if included in the regular report. I don't think it is really necessary to give the book, chapter and verses of the devotional reading. Sometimes there may be special reason for doing so, but while it is of interest to those who hear, very few’ readers would make a point of looking it up. Space is valuable, again we say. Speakers’ names, themes o J addresses, readings given, plans of work made, special functions held, donations agreed upon, and the many intimate matters affecting the lives of our members, such a> bereavements, illnesses, and matters of congratulation, arc all suitable for inclusion.

I—to talk a')out space, and then fill up all this was “talk”! My excuse is that it is long o\erduc. One little note in closing. There were only eight communications sent to me which 1 ad to he sent on to Mrs Grig* this month. One or two came to Mrs. Grigg also which should have conn to me first. Look up the Janu-ary-February issue once again to make sure that your communication is sent to the proper place in the first instance. THE EDITOR.