SPECIAL REPORTS

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 5, 1 June 1948, Page 5

SPECIAL REPORTS

HOME MEETING AT WADESTOWN

Convention Suggestions Recently sonic 24 members of local Unions accepted Miss Atkinson’s invitation to afternoon tea and a discussion on Convention. Suggestions for the better conduct of Convention were asked for and, after consideration, the following suggestions were made : 7 hat a few minutes’ break be made in tho morning session. That Convention open with an all day of prayer. That the morning session close at noontide, resuming halt an hour earlier in the afternoon, thus giving delegates who may have come a long way an opportunity. to get early lunch. That Convention be arranged in a (.rcle; this was thought to be conducive to easier hearing. That a Communion Serv ice be held at the close of Convention. That one or two new hymns he learnt during Convention. Miss Atkinson sang two solos and a jdeasant time was brought to a close. The President will welcome any suggestions from other Unions. MOTHERS DAY” GATHERING, AUCKLAND" A well-attended “Mother’s Day” gathering, under the auspices of the Auckland District Executive, was held m the Concert Chamber of the Auck land Town Hall on Sunday, May 9. The District President, Mrs. F. Mount joy presided at the meeting, which was opened with the singing of the National Anthem and the Doxology, after which prayer was offered by Mrs. Long. Mrs. Mountjoy extended a welcome to all present, which included the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. C. Allum. The Mayor suitably replied, and commended the VV.C.T.U. on the great work they were doing. A programme of musical and elocutionary items was presented, Mrs. Kersey arid Mr. W’uriii rendering solos, and Miss Mudgway reciting, the Salvation Army “Grange” girls, and the girls from the Parnell Maori Girls’ Hostel also contributing numbers. The speaker wa» the Rev. Harris Whitfield, and he gave a very opportune address On “Mary, the Mother of our Lord.’’ Mrs. Long thanked the speaker and the artists, and Mrs. Mountjoy closed the gathering with the Benediction. POST CONVENTION EXECUTIVE MEETING, WELLINGTON DISTRICT The Presbyterian Church Hall at Johnsonville was the place of the April meeting, Johnsonville Union being our hostesses and giving us a warm welcome. Mrs. Reed led the morning devotions. Minutes of the previous meeting and a special meeting held after Convention were confirmed. A tribute was paid, in a special resolution, to the work of Mrs. Reed, District Secretary, during Convention, everything being done in a lovely spirit. Mrs. Sawden, Letterwriter, was asked

to send letters ot sympathy and cheer to aged and suffering members, and to one who had suffered bereavement. It was decided to hold a special social afternoon at which to entertain those who had assisted with teas and hospitality at Convention, a small committee being set up to arrange this. Mrs. \\ alt, District President, gav e a report of Convention. It was a model of brevity but gave us all the important points of the annual meetings. Her reference to the daily devotional and noontide prayer periods was that they were like taking a sup at a fountain that never goes dry. The Treasurer’s report showed a good credit balance, and it was decided to complete payment of Scientific Temperance Booklets supplied to the public schools and also to make a donation of £lO to Headquarters' Fund. Mrs. Reed reported on work done at Porirua, where 22 names bad been gained for the Cradle Roll and two adult members gained; at Petone, where one new member bad been gained and visiting done, and at Taita, where visiting had been done. Contact with Maori people at Porirua and at the Xgati-Poneke Club, for showing films, had also been made. Arranged to send copies of “The White Ribbon’’ to two ladies at Porirua. The entertaining Union were thanked for their hospitality and the meeting closed with the Benediction.YOUTH MEETING AT NELSON As the Nelson Union could not see its way clear to open a “Y” branch at present, it w*as decided to hold a Youth Meeting on the fourth Sunday of each month, the first of these being held in the Union Hall on Anzac Day at 4 o.ra. All Bible ( lasses had been circularised, and in spite of unfavourable weather there was an attendance of 27 young people, representing four denominations. One Bible Class waunable to attend as they were having a tea and rally in their own hall. A song service and Bible Quiz were conducted by Mr. Gardiner and the Rev. Mr. Blampied (Church of Christ) showed a travel film, a missionary film and two temperance strips. Then followed tea provided by the W.C.T.U. members. A “Request" hymn session conducted by Mrs. Sherratt brought a very successful gathering to a close at 6.30 p.in. ‘ OPEN’’ MEETING AT ONEHUNGA On April 22 the Onebunga Union held a united meeting in the evening for ladies and gentlemen. Invitations had been sent to all Onehunga Guilds, but unsettled weather affected attendance. Mrs. Mountjoy, in presiding, explained the history, aims and activities of the W.C.T.U. Solos by Mr. Browne were followed by an address by Miss E. Moyle, M.A., who told of conditions in the British Zone of Germany. She had returned last year to New Zealand, having been sent as an Unrra officer from here to help the millions of non-Germans, most of w r hom had been Slav * workers for the Germans before th war. The latter were sup-

posed to provide shelter, food and clothing for them, but could not do it, so Unrra did their best with the few facilities available in devastated Germany, to provide a few comforts tor those unfortunate “displaced persons," but were warned that they must give nothing to Germans. Their work also included giving help to the sick, education to the young (though unable to obtain books), and endeavouring to provide about a couple of scanty garments for each of the little new-born babies arriving about every day. Miss Moyle has returned tQ her duties as a teacher and lecturer at one of our colleges, hut has numerous calls to tell of her first-hand experiences in those war-torn countries. Her eloquence, earnestness and vivid descriptions must have awakened keen interest in the sad condi'ion of all those displaced people, causing her hearers to realise the plight of many of our less fortunate brethren, also reminding us of the “Inasmuch” of our Saviour. “COMING OF AGE” PARTY AT MOUNT ALBERT On May 13 Mount Albert Union entertained about 60 members and visitors at their 21st birthday party. The opening hymn, “O love that wilt not let me go” was chosen because this was sung at the first meetihg of the Union. The “Crusade Psalm” was read, and Mrs. Anstice led in prayer, the Lor .’s Prayer being repeated in unison. The Minutes of the first meeting were read by Mrs. W illiams, who was the first secretary of the Union. Greetings were received from several very old members, and also from several Unions. Mrs. Laird told something of how r the Union first began in Mount Albert, which was very interesting to us all. A very ‘njoyable programme was presented, and at the conclusion, Mrs. Kasper *xpressed congratulations on having reached the 21 anniversary, and also on the present strength of the Ur on. , fter t ie singing of the hymn “For al ! the saints,” Mrs. Anstice pronounced he Benediction. The serving M afternoon tea and the birthday cake brought to a close a very enjoyable afternoon of happy reunion and fellowship. WHITE RIBBON” BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT List of New Subscribers to "The White Ribbon,” from Jan. 1 to May 11, 1948 Otaliuhu, 2; W arkworth, 8; Birkenhead, 1; Onehunga. 2; Eden, 2; Cambridge 3; Te Kuiti (E.), 1; Te Kuiti (M.), 4; Tauranga, 1; Te Awamntu, 2; New Plymouth, 1; Brooklyn, 4; Carterton, 1; Levin, 1; Picion, 1; Sydenham. 3: Riccatton, 3; Christchurch 1 ; South Dunedin, 1; Dunedin, 2: Wfinton, 1; Gore, 1; Hamilton, 1; Pabiatua. 1; Oxford, 2; Rakaia. 1; Oamaru, 2; Green Island, 1; Invercargill South, 2; Maori Department, 1. Total, 57. -A. D. GRIGG