Northern Whig, Monday 12th June 1933
Reference to the habit of cocktail drinking among young people was made on Saturday at the annual meeting of Belfast Women’s Temperance Association in the Lombard Café by Mrs. William Russell (president), who presided. These young people, she said, did not mean any harm, but the habit led to less control.
In the attitude to drink, she added, principles seemed to be changing. People were urging moderation rather than total abstinence. Moderation would not do. Total abstinence was necessary.
Dealing with aspects of the Association’s work Mrs. Russell said they had the tremendous responsibility of looking after 100 children in the Victoria Homes. There was a tremendous work being done about which little was known to the general public. “I would earnestly commend this work to the Christian public of Belfast, to the women particularly.” she added.
THREE ACTIVITIES
Mrs. Higginson in her report stated that the work was a large one, consisting of three different activities, each a great work in itself. The splendid work of the temperance missionary, Miss McKay, was overseen by Mrs. Gregg. There were the Victoria Homes and Shamrock Lodge, and, lastly, the Inebriate Home, which was the only home of its kind in Ireland.
The new members to be added to the Committee of the Association were Mrs. Crawford Browne, Mrs. John McCaughey and Mrs. Edgar.
The financial report was presented by Mrs. McVeigh, the hon. treasurer.
Mrs. Gregg presented the report of the temperance missionary, and paid a tribute to the work of Miss McKay.
The report of the Inebriate Home was presented by Dr. M. McNeill; and Mrs. George Wilson, the hon. secretary, presented the report of the Victoria Homes and Shamrock Lodge. The reports were adopted, on the motion of Mrs. Sinclair, seconded by Miss Steen.
On the motion of Mrs. James Crawford, seconded by Miss A. Steen, the Committee were re-elected.
