Coffee houses and temperance hotels have been established, libraries have been opened, and much attention paid to the scientific instruction in temperance to the children of the public schools.
The Provincial Union of British Columbia was formed in 1883, and comprised two local Unions, one in Victoria, organized at the same time as Provincial, and the other in New Westminster. Total membership 120. In addition to the branches of work undertaken by the other provincial Unions, this society has declared in favor of the ballot for women.
President, Mrs., (Rev.) Pollard, Victoria, B.C., Cor. Sec. Mrs. D.
A. Jenkins, Victoria, B.C.
In Manitoba two local Unions have been organized. One in Winnipeg, Mrs. Monk, president, Mrs. Somerset, Secretary; and one Union in Brandon, President, Mrs. Davidson; Secretary, Mrs. Bliss. These are just beginning the good work, but at the end of another year, will have, doubtless, a record to give of many useful measures planned and executed, by means of which reformatory, educational, preventive and legislative work will have been effectually accomplished. Our Canadian women gratefully acknowledge the aid given us by many of our sisters across the border, who have greatly assisted us from time to time with wise counsel and stirring words of appeal. Especially do they remember the inspiration and fresh courage that came to them with the presence and influence of Miss Willard. The formation of the Dominion Union was largely due to her counsel, and to her visit and eloquent addresses we owe the British Columbia Union, provincial and local. Mrs. Emily McLaughlin has also won the hearts of all with whom she came in contact during her visits in Canada, and a large accession to the membership of the Unions has always followed her powerful and persuasive utterances.
THE DOMINION W.C.T.U.
For some months previous to the meeting of the Ontario Provincial Union in October, 1883, a correspondence had been carried on between some of the leading temperance women in the different Provinces, regarding the advisability of forming a Dominion Union. All were in favor of taking this step if any additional good could be gained, or if it would be of benefit to any. With this feeling, and acting upon the advice of Miss Willard, president of the N.W.C.T.U., who was present at the meeting, the Ontario convention appointed a committee consisting of Mrs. Chisholm and Mrs. Strachan, to confer with the executive of the Quebec Provincial Union, for the purpose of forming a Dominion Union, At the interview with the Quebec Provincial Executive, it was stated that from private letters received from other Provinces, there would be no difficulty in the way of organizing the proposed Union. It was also suggested that, in the event of such organization, no meeting should be called before 1885, as some of the Provincial Unions had so recently been formed, and would need all the thought and care that could be given them for a time, at least.
After some questions and explanations, with a little discussion, it
was decided that a Dominion Union be organized. A constitution was
drawn up, similar to the one in use by the N.W.C.T.U., of the United
States, and the following officers elected: President, Mrs. L.
Youmans, Picton, Ont.; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. A. C. Chisholm, Ottawa,
Ont.; Mrs. Middleton, Quebec; Mrs. Dr. Todd, Fredericton, N.B.; Mrs.
Rev. Pollard, Victoria, B.C.; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Major
Tilton, Ottawa, Ont.; Recording Secretary, Miss Renaud, Montreal,
P.Q.; Treasurer, Mrs. Judge Steadman, Fredericton, N. B.
The aim of this Union will be to unite more closely in their work, the Christian temperance women of the different Provinces, and to devise plans for the general good, these to be largely carried out by the Provincial Unions. Its first meeting will be held during the session of Parliament at Ottawa in 1885.