“HEADQUARTERS”

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 6, 1 July 1948, Page 1

“HEADQUARTERS”

On page 10 of the Report Book and page 26 of the Handbook for this v ear is published the report of Headquarters Committee. It is interesting reading. The closing paragraph reads thus: “The Committee ask for increased interest in Headquarters trom all in the coming year. Your prayers and practical sympathy are netded in order that our desired >bjective—the liquidation of the it'or^gage—may be reached.” Have you ever paid a visit to Headquarters ? It is a pretty place. Situated at the corner of Elizabeth and Brougham Streets, well up from the road, a graceful group of trees dialing house and garden, it has n appearance of steady, pleasant

dignity and a sort of awareness of its own importance. The care with which it is kept is evident everywhere. The garden, somewhat windswept of course, is always in good order. The windows shine brightly. The doorbell is a joy in itself, so brightly is it polished. Oi the floor coverings inside, so much has been said that one hesitates to add more; hut that mirror-like surface is really a very special feature. No visitor can ignore it. And the dustless, exquisite state of the rooms sometimes causes the question to be asked, ‘‘Hew is it done?” Well, a lady who lives there, and to whose meticulous attention this perfection of order and condition is

due, answers smilingly, and with a glint of humour, when she is asked this. She will not say much, but it gj impossible not to feel that it is indeed a labcur of love to her, to preserve our National Headquarters in such a way. And this care and pride have brought to all who use it. who visit it, and take pleasure in calling when in Wellington, something of the same sense of pride and satisfaction. We love to enter, and to feel, “This is cur W.C.T.U.

Home. Here we are members oi a family. No jarring note, no incongruity will trouble or annoy us here.” In the large room, portraits of workers and leaders, now at rest, mementos of a long-past day, remind us that our work, our hopes, our difficulties were known before our turn came. Heroes and heroines of the past, they seem to be part of the “cloud of wi.ness,” from whom come inspiration and encouragement. An atmosphere pervades this room. It is hallowed by prayers and holy aspiration towards the reaching ot our great goals; and by the knowledge of the Presence realised so often there. Headquarters is more than all this. It is a symbol. It is our badge of National Organisation. It stands there for all to see; and its name recently placed prominently above the portico, tells to all that we are active, strong, and earnest in our work. Much, much more could be said. But, what of that request at the * ml of the Report, quoted above.' What are we doing? Have we, among the many calls being made in this post-war period, kept before ourselves and our Unions, the urgency of this plea? A little quiet, but persistent organisation can be wonderfully effective. In our meetings, let us always remember that request for our p r avers. It could he a feature of each meeting, the reminder of this, our own responsibility. A Donation Card is obtainable from H.Q. on which any small or large donation can be recorded and acknowledged. It is a goed plan to have this on the table at meetings, leaving it to numbers’ own initialise to use it if they can spare even a small sum once in a while. A calculation was made by someone at Convention which showed that if each member l/a week for a year, the whole mortgage would be wiped otT. Can it be done It is worth trying.