NBWTA Report 1904-049
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) 94 95 Several convictions for breaking the licensing law were reported, which the magistrates commented upon with unprecedented severity. The work in connection with this department during the past year has consisted mainly of correspondence in answering enquiries regard- ing the methods to be adopted in the opposition to licences. The general tone is one of thankfulness, and the reports indicate increasing reluctance on the part of the magistrates to add to the drinking facilities of the people. “ Lists of the women voters—z2,ooo in number—were obtained from the Ward Agents. ‘““These names were divided amongst 48 canvassers in the branch, a printed letter being sent to each with instructions, Of these 48 only three were prevented from doing as requested. The Branch Super- intendent used great discretion in the allocation of work to canvassers, iting the canvassers to the district, ; Te who had never done any work of the kind previously found it grew in interest as they went on. Many of the most timid and reserved women did the best work; by their unaffected manner they gained many friends. The result was a distinct gain of many seats for the Temperance candidates.” The reply of the Derby Branch was especially encouraging to your Superintendent : “ Our committee always help in the elections for Town Councils and Boards of Guardians when friends of the Temperance movement are contesting.” County Counci, ELECTIONS. eo In January, 1904, your Superintendent sent out a whip reminding Branches that elections for County Councils would take place in March, and pointing out the grave and important issues at stake, especially now that the administration of education has been placed in the hands of ouncils. ha em Aes were urged to co-operate with any organizations which might be working for candidates pledged to promote the interests of Temperance and morality. With a view to rousing the interest of “ British Mary DEPARTMENT AND FOR E. PuHILurrs, FOR WORK AMONG WOMEN SECURING THE RETURN OF WoMEN ON LocaL GOVERNING BopIEs. VOTERS, ALL It is always pleasant to record progress, and the reports this year go to prove that there is a growing determination on of Branches to do their utmost to educate the women voters various localities to use the votes which they already possess in of ‘Temperance and all moral and progressive reform, and to the return of candidates who are pledged, if returned, to do all power to press forward such reforms. BorovucH In September, in the White Councit ELEctTIons. 1903, your Superintendent, Ribbon and a circular sent in the part in their support promote in their letter Women” by means to the Branches, drew attention to the approaching Municipal Elections on November rst, and urged that Branches would make an effort to ascertain the characters and opinions of candidates, and do all in their power to secure the return of those who made Temperance and moral reform a plank in their programme. The response to this appeal was encouraging and_ satisfactory, About seventy Branches report active work done at election time. Candidates were questioned. Canvassing of women voters and clerical work were undertaken, the London County Council Council was given by Mr. J. Allen Baker, and literature was distributed. Of the Superintendent’s leaflet, “An Appeal to Women,” written specially for Borough Elections, 6,536 copies were applied for and forwarded. The following extract from the report sent in by the capable political Superintendent of the East Dulwich Branch is given to show what can be done at election times by a thoroughly organized and earnest band of women. Mrs. Kemp writes :— ‘The Branch Superintendent ascertain ed names and addresses of all candidates (except one or two who came forward at the last moment). ‘To each candidate a list of questions was submitted. All who satisfactorily replied were helped. in election, workers was arranged for February 3rd, at the ringdon Street. About go representatives from the and Home Counties Branches were present. instructive address on the Temperance policy of of an article L a conference for Memorial Hall, Far- Metropolitan Unions An interesting and the London County C.C., followed by sas appeals from Mrs. Pearsall Smith and Lady Cecilia Roberts for workers at the election in March. It is satisfactory to be able to report that the elections resulted in a victory for the Temperance and Progressive candidates. The keen and active interest taken in this important campaign by members of the North Metropolitan Union especially, is shown by the following aa from the report of the Union Political Superintendent, Mrs. C. C. Reed, , who was herself in the foreground of the fight :— gave assistance in “Members of several Branches in the ee ! sing, and on the polling day. i ai: we Stoke nogiwiad Branch deserves special ae mention—it was so well organized. A drawing-room meeting was held at the beginning of the fight in order to arouse enthusiasm. About 50 members of this Branch worked in one way or another. was in charge of a committee “The Union Political Superintendent room on polling day. There was no smoking or loitering in ¢hat room. Only six reports have been sent in of work done in the provinces in connection with the County Council elections. |