NBWTA Report 1904-058
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112 113 science of this Association and of the nation at large will awaken to a sense of the imperative necessity which exists for the doing of this work. In September, 1903, I drew up my letter to the Branches as Superintendent of this Department, and duly submitted it to the Literature Committee, by whom it was approved. I then had 1,000 copies printed, and each Branch received a copy in October. Iam unable to give a further report of the work of this Department, for as far as the Superintendent is concerned the work ended with that distribution of would lay it on her conscience to make a personal study of the needs of the people with regard to the provision of adeguate counter-attractions to the public-house, and would act upon her knowledge with a view to securing such provision, there would result such an awakening of public opinion on the subject as this country would never forget, but be eternally the better for. In Bradford, we see the glimmering of the hope of better-spent I did not feel free to write to the ‘s Dear Mrs. a for ai Branches, oo a the meee ei to cant letter Branches, and have received no reports. Owing to an interpretation of the policy and constitution of this Association which was evidently acceptable to your Executive and Sub-Committee, I have felt obliged to retire from the Superintendency of this Department, as I feel that in the highest ultimate interests of the work I cannot undertake it under the crippling restrictions which the interpretation referred to imposes on me asa Superintendent. Itis with the profoundest regret that I relinquish the work in connection with this Superintendency, which has been so congenial tome. But before leaving you I would like just here to introduce a few words of appeal on behalf of this subject which is so dear to my heart. And I know from experience that I must ask the great majority of you to acquire a more intimate knowledge of that evil which I implore you, as practical Temperance workers and philan- thropists, to do all in your power to counteract. I ask you to frequent the lowest and most poverty-stricken quarters of your town by night, and as you pass along the wind-swept or rain-driven streets to look in at the dark and dirty human habitations, and observe the wretched women and children hanging about the doors ; and as you pass along will you look for places of cheer and warmth and welcome, for the further you trudge through those dark and cheerless streets the more witl you become conscious of the absolute necessity there is for some warm, cheerful, social centre where the occupants of these miserably small, dark tenements may assemble. Alas, you will not walk far before you find one of the houses provided for public refreshment and cheer, and I ask you to enter that house and to carefully observe for yourself the effect of the sort of refreshment and cheer there offered. Then will you know, if you have not known before, how cause and effect in the shape of drink and poverty act and re-act on each other. Continue your walk and next visit one of these houses in a rather more frequented neighbourhood, perhaps on one of the busy thoroughfares. Go upstairs in this house where the piano is to be found, and if your heart felt sore when in the down- stairs department of the slum public-house it will bleed at the sight that now greets you, for there you will see nicely dressed young people of both sexes, such as frequent the senior classes in our Sunday Schools, seeking to gratify those natural social instincts which are im- planted in us all. Note how the young people are driven to seek that gratification in the only premises open to them in the neighbour- hood—namely, the public-house. If only every woman in this room Mitchell,—You will be glad to hear that at an Educa- tion Committee we had yesterday for running our evening classes next winter, a strong and unanimous opinion was expressed that Recreation centres should be established in various parts of the city, and that the Council should be asked to incur a// financial responsibility in connec- tion with them. “A sub-committee was appointed, and you and one or two more specially interested in this social recreation work are to be asked to join us. It was felt that something must be done to stem the tide ot vagrancy and hooliganism among the young people of our city, and that the money eee the evenings for a section of the youth of the city, as the result of a success- ful practical experiment, followed by an urgent appeal to the City Councillors. I received the following letter on the subject last week from a member of our Education Committee :— of the ratepayers could and needful work. We exist, as an promote this kind of work as we do kind of education. There is no one the lady to whom I am now writing, stone of Temperance and benevolent not be applied to any more urgent Educational Committee, as truly to to promote the higher or any other who believes this more firmly than and who has made this the corner- work.” i i If only all the Educational Authorities in the country would take up this work, a great proportion of our young people would be provided for ; but what of the provision of adequate counter-attractions for the men and women of our land, and where is the money to come from ? _ In conclusion, I will wish with all my heart the greatest success to this Department, and would ask that to your new Superintendent, Lady Carlisle, your most earnest support may be given in the form of strenu- ous endeavour on your part to make her ideals a blessed realization. Marion | fi I. MitcHe tt. RESCUE DEPARTMENT. After eleven years’ experience of midnight work in West and South- West London I am grieved to bear witness that such work should have to bedone. There isa great increase in the number of young girls, and they are so closely watched by their companions that it often appears that we can do nothing but pray. The streets are more thronged than ever and the traffic is carried on in a more systematic manner, so that it is almost impossible to trace the agents of vice. The more we know of the sin and degradation of the poor victims who are at the mercy of foreign “ bullies” the sadder our hearts grow, and we wonder how long B—5 |