“DOMINION PRESIDENT” 1949

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 3, 1 April 1949, Page 1

“DOMINION PRESIDENT” 1949

Editorial . . .

In the long and bright succession of s |dendid women who have in turn, occupied the position of Dominion President of our Union, are many whose names will always he remembered for some outstanding achievement or quality. They have been women of God; their service has been whole-hearted; and their varying gifts, natural and individual, have all been used in our great organisation. As one after another has laid down the burden of office, it has been seen how-far-reaching and effectual the work and influence of each has been. We are keenly aware of the debt we owe to these devoted women, whose leadership has brought us through long years, and established our W'ork in the life of the community. It is a maPtr of great joy to us that two of those vlxo have recently held the position are stiil actively interested and art* willing to give of

their experience and wisdom such counsel and guidance as may be sought by our nev/ly appointed President. Miss C. M. McLay. There is a sigrificance in the fact that Miss McLay was accepted without question, as the successor of our loved and honoured M iss Kirk, everywhere in the Dominion. Reluctant to consent to nomination, and diffident regarding her ability to carry out the duties involved, Miss McLay must have been enheartened and stimulated by this complete unanimity of opinion as to this point. As she takes up the reins of office, the prayers and thoughts of us all vvill surround her. That she may enjoy and be richly blessed in the task before her is the heartfelt wish of all our members. The Misses Annie M. and Catherine M. McLay are natives of Glasgow, in which city they were educated and began their career as trained secretaries. Always engaged in the life of the Church, taking their place as Sunday School and Christian Endeavour workers, they were well equipped for the call which came to them soon after their arrival in New Zealand, some eighteen years ago. Brought into contact with ti e WC.T.U. through the agency of our beloved ffiend, Mrs. Lee Cowie, they were captured by the sense of opportunity for the use of their highly developed powers of organising and their experience in Christian service; and after a while took the great step of making the W.C.T.U. their special life work; giving up other prospects; and setting forth on their mission, led by the hand of God. The story of their work during the intervening years is well known to most of us. As organisers, the sisters went from North to South, through the length and breadth of our land; strengthening the weak unions, forming new ones, seeking for new- members and training officers. Their record is a wonderful one. In every phase of our.work they took part; and how much we owe to them will never be fully known.

Special Youth Work Number

Indifferent health has, we hope only temporarily, prevented Miss Annie McLay from participating in the very active work of previous days; but she .is still District President of South Auckland. We ha\e no doubt that she will be a tower of strength to her sister; and we wish tor her a very speedy return to full vigour and health. Most sincerely we offer our congratulations fo Miss C. McLay; praying that strength and inspiration may flow through her to every Union and every member in the Dominion. THE REFERENDUM POLL It i» with very thankful hearts that we in ke brief mention of the splendid victory for six o’clock closing of hotel bars. A great deal of work was put into the preparation for the day. News has reached ’is from many places, of days of praye *, of house to house distribution oi literature, of displays and meetings. That the Gaming result was against our hopes gives us furiously to think. Whether a closer concentration on this, if it had been possible, might have swayed public opinion, is a point to be considered. It will be well it we can keep up the spirit which has been so evident among church people and others, and carrv it forward into the Liquor Poll, probably to he held in November. The splendid work of Mr. Milner as Alliance Organiser, and of the Temperance Committee of the Presbyterian Church has had the effect of kindling an enthusiasm which has been absent for some time from the ranks of prohibition workers God grant that it may increase. Let us pray for all aspects of the fight before us, while giving thanks for conquests won.