Women's Christian Temperance Union

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7281, 7 October 1933, Page 2

Women's Christian Temperance Union

Tho monthly mooting of tho Women's Christian Temperance Union was held yesterday afternoon, tho president, Miss M. Moore, being in tho | chair. Mrs. Ritehio conducted devotional exorcises, and gave the scientific fact, which was an appeal on behalf of tho children by Evangeline Booth, of tho Salvation Army, and was:—‘‘Drink has drained more blood, sold more homes, plunged more people ,int(s bankruptcy,, slain more children, snapped more wedding rings, defiled moro innocence, twisted more limbs, dethroned more reason, wrecked more manhood, dishonoured more womanhood, broken more hearts, blasted more lives, driven more people to suicide, and dug moro graves thau any other poisoned scourge that evor swept its death-dealing waves across tho world. .Let the childron speak. The little children, the wronged children, the blind children, tho imbecile children, the starved children, tho beaten children, the dead children. Let thoir weak voices, faint with oppression, cold with, hunger, bo heard. Let their little faces, pinched by want of gladness, be heeded. Let their challenge bo reckoned with. Let the awful robbery of their little bodies and souls bo justly laid at the brazen gate of alcohol. Tho best argument for the abolition of liquor and the closing of all drinkselling saloons in town and country, is herein contained. If intoxicating drink did nothing else but rob the children of health, home and happiness, every Christian man and woman would bo justified in fighting against it until it was entirely overthrown and driven from our country.” It was decided that tho next meeting take tho form of a “pay-up” social when outstanding subscriptions would bo received, and it would also bo social afternoon for the children of the cradle roll department and their mothers to whom an invitation to be present was to bo sent by letter. There would bo musical items, also games for the childron, and Mrs. Hodder as Mother Hubbard, would present each child with, a small gift which Mrs. J. Clausen had very kindly promised to givo. In connection with the Bible-in-Sehools’ League, Mrs. Dorreen and Mrs. A. W. Thompson wero appointed, representatives, who with Miss Moore and Mrs. Hodder, would make the number of W.C.T.U. representatives up to four.

Various resolutions passed at district convention were then read by tho secretary and comment on each was made by the president. After afternoon tea had been handed round by Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Mullon, reports on the district convention recently held in. Podding were given by Mrs. Ram and Mrs. Sor.tnson. Mrs. Ram reported on the meeting held on Wednesday afternoon at which Miss Kirk, J.P., of Wellington, had been the 'speaker. Miss Kirk had said that work for prohibition was only a small part of the W.C.T.U. platform. Their efforts were chiefly directed towards the welfaro of women and children and the homo generally. A.t one time, small children used to be present in Court as witnesses. Through the efforts of the W.C.T.U. it was now illegal for children to give evidence in Court under the age of 16 years. In former years only one parent, the father, had the logal guardianship of children. It had been evidont that fathers of intemperate habits were often unfitted for this high privilege. Tho W.C.T.U. had been instrumental in having the law changed so that both parents now had the legal, guardianship of their children. It had been through the W.C.T.U, headed by Mrs. Sheppard, that tho franchise had been granted to women, and tho W.C.T.U. had also had a share in the bringing about of 6 o'clock closing oi hotel bars.

Mrs. Sorensen then gave an account; of convention proceedings on Thursday, which had consisted of reports .from the various branches in tho Mannwatu, with discussion on same, also the appointment of district officers for the ensuing year. Out of nine branches, six had been represented, while four presidents had been present. A hearty veto of thanks was accorded Mrs. Ram and Mrs. Sorensen for the trouble they had taken in compiling the reports. During the afternoon Mss Moore said that everybody would bo verypleased to hear that Mrs. Willson, and Mrs. Dallas were improving. She was sure that their recovery had been a direct answer to prayer.

The meeting closed with the singing of tho Doxology.