WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION."

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 66, 17 March 1908, Page 2

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION."

AFTERNOON SESSION. Mi.-- McCarthy opened a discussion on llow to Make the Work of the Unions re KrTrctive." by a sketchy paper, Lore Jiu-ing many suggestions which, if followed, would be very effective in practical working. A large number of delegates entered into full debate, and pave very interesting accounts of work being Carried on in various local unions, large and small. A "Question-box" was also adopted, giving an opportunity for eliciting information on many points of detailed working, particularly in the smaller and more remote places. Some unions were iative in promoting the use of placard.- at railway stations. It was resolved "That the Executive of the New Zealand W.C.T.U. offer rewards for the unions which shall organise a V branch of the union during the coming year, and -hall have the largest proportion of members": "that a special grant of £2 be placed in the hands of the superintendent of 'Wr.rk Among Young People' to carry on her work": "that a. letter of sympathy l>e sent to Mrs. Alick Thome.'' The Literature Committee was appointed. MORNING SESSION. The president exhibited a valuable autograph album, containing signatures of the most eminent leaders in "no-license"' work all over the world, and coupled with each name is a choice and characteristic expression of personal sentiment. It is purposed to allow opportunity for securing further autographs, and then for the whole to be published in a dainty form to be sold on behalf of our funds. OSciai correspondence from Miss Anna Cordon, of Illinois. United States, was then read, giving a sketch of the position up to date, in many countries of the world, referring in sympathetic terms to the lamented death of _7r. Mary Wood Allen, whose work in connection with moral education and purity interests has been simply invaluable. Her books are still in circulation and very desirable for dissemination amongst young people of both nexes. A series of important resolutions were tiien parsed unanimously by the convention., as follows: — "Of deep thankfulness io Almighty Cod j for the splendid success attending the efforts ot the Prohibition party in different parts of the world, especially in United States and Finland, and prays that the people of this lioiniuion may so realise their responsibilities to God and their fellow creatures that ai the forthcoming local option poll the drink tralhV may be swept from this land." Appreciation of the action of the Auckland City Council in excluding intoxicants from Victoria I'ark." "Deepest sympathy with the suffragists of Great Britain, with most earnest wishes for speedy success. This Convention deplores the fact that British statesmen sill refuse to recognise the undoubted righi of every voman to a voice in the mailing of the laws by which she i.s governed." "That while two local unions passed resolutions dealing with the management of the Te Orauga Home, this Convention wishes it to be distinctly understood that ihe aforesaid resolutions were in no way intended k> reflect upon the present Minister fur Education, as the system was in existence when be came into office." "Thai the Convention urge the Premier to introdu.-v a bill raising the age of protection to 'Jl years." ~lbai Convention desires again to enter a strong prutesi against the continued delay in mc repeal of the CD. Acts." "That iv He- opinion of this Convention hospital aci-ommortation should be provided lor tnose suffering from venereal diseases k ho shall voluntarily preseut themselves for treatment." "That this Convention draws utterrfinn to L_Y Horrors and evils of war. and expresses the earnest hope that all Christian Government.- n ill resort to arbitration as a means to settle differences between nations, and so avert war." "Thai this convention deplores the spirit of militarism sometimes inculcated iv the young, and urges upon all parents the necessity of teaching their children the nobleness ot adjusting quarrels by the exercise of reason, justice, and iorbearanee. rather than by force." "That, in the opinion of this Convention, the time has come when all disabilities vnich _i present hinder women from sitting _» members of cither of the Houses of Legislature, or from being elected or appointed to any public Office, or position in the colony, snoutd be removed; and that, with regard io all powers, rights, ana duties ot citizenship, absolute equality -hould be the law of the land." Hi "That this convention is of opinion that in connection with all public institutions for tlit tare of men. women and children, popularly elected Boards of Control should 1...- established, composed of men and woiiieu: that this Convention is of opinion thai provision should be made for all those men ;i:t.l women who are irresponsible through ilericiency of sexual control, and r..r then own protection and that of the community, separate homes should he est.tblisl i si tor .- tin men anil wotueu. where tiii-v . .mid b.- detained and carert for men tally ;m.| physical,-. ihe Convention suggests tint! such homes should be in the couuirv. v.io-re occupation in the open air. Mii-u :-.s gurdeuiug, fruit growing, poultry, -iiu bee-keeping could easily be provided. _:jti thus render the homes practically self--cpportiiiy. :is well as being conducive to a healthy .it.] happy existence of the inmates: i.ri Unit this Convention, composed a' delegates of the W.c.T. Unions, requests the Premier to introduce legislation during the .ot_jn-_: session to give effect to the foregoing resolutions." "Thru in the opinion of this Convention ti - iimelia.it now enforced where charges of •-::::. in:.: offences against girls are made 6 _,,u!>| be entirely abolished." -'111:-! in vi.-.y of the hardships annually impose.', . : pon many innocent children by mc ■.-o-iiiiiiou of illegitimacy, and the absolute us el ess:: ess us a deterrent from imn:or_;-;. of legal disabilities inflicted upon these iiildren. i: is high time that all such legal (:.s.|ii.iliHeation- were removed. That conside ■■<:.■£ . a . r !j•■ >:re.-ii mortality among illegi'cicue ■ niidren: ibi the neglected coii_:'.i..! . . many of lUeui. helpiug. as they do. :■> <-■•;! the tanks of the criminal and d 5..-:, i J. .... Convention proposes—lst. that pare! if ...- ;:.. be obliged to contribute, accord r- • • -hen- means, to the support of their •'.::.i.-cu: L'nd. that failing the ability oi ':•<-:, parents to contribute, the State sbor. : ;; U -:Lc proper provision for mainten-MT-e. : v-rvLsion. and education of all such childr.-i:. :;.-_. that these children, where •latere.:y ■- proved, should possess an eqtuil legal status with those horn in wedlock, and .s.':-j.;»_ be registered in the name of the fcUie-: -L 3 that a public officer, who should te ;= ■--.. i:a»... be appointed, whose duty it wor__ he before Uie birth of an illegitimate ■ _;li:. -o discover 'he paternity where puss:l..c. with a view to enforcing the proper maintenance of the child." • hm t!.i_ Cjiiventiou, representing nearly '.'."■' Ne- Zealand womeu. heartily thinks Mr Kettle, s.il.. of Auckland, for L_s recent outspoke:! utterances as to the recpoi sibilitv ».' the illegitimate father c. ; w«:. ,s tnnthe-: of the children born <-■]' of s-.-edlo-k. as the Convention eons:ili rs- _'!■»_ "he sh''e]iiin g 0 r the father's uame b.> 5c.,.,.; y genera! l v is injurious to the in-t"r_--ts o r . ptth'ir morality.' '-Til;: in th.i opinion of this Convention tLe teaching of Temperance in coiiEectior. wit). Dhvsir.incy and hygiene in oar schools it, :- in order that the tnjtirfouf effects of elenhol, physicaliy aiid :-ioro!lj. o_ tlu> of the iri-«llvi''.-Ta. and a,' thf: >-*.•<. may be clearly caders;,.od n~ on- chnrrrtni. This Conventior. t.i-erefor. urrr- -J.r... Scientific Temteran. c lin;rrTK-:-ir.... |,- »Drluded in the pv3:o.w;!.'sr ?•>■• •■-:c__'r>' t-e:tineates, and ''"l' I *. '-.. ~"-»T. , !',i7 ?b;r< s.ibj.ot in the "TtlV t.c •-__'.-4=Tl_BJ5 ...; VCEOCO's _h_C a.:d vtr-.-: , o.ita__ed •_ liie Factory Acts a:c pi-- , -i.it.- J .'.; to thert eer>tiotntc interests, b. co- !r*i'«-i_i, _neir .tuinces of em-phTj-Qf-U. :-ut t.t S«Jp*r.g ri-. tekf-te them to the ta>»-w :.i>r.-h«. if t'uv tadustries. Til's Oa>) /mjr?" i -,::~a< that all ■*.*■; r!lFfTorri.>_» rt.forn j !n ti.f Acts should or s^'ls*-K.' f_> "Th!». T««n n»# nooieii entitled to e_aer-.-!S« tin- if<rr!i'iJK - »taO' _rancJtjse sii_. r i .«!- iifl «lli.--»~; tr. -nei-cisr thelocai fr-gfictiist-: i?.I lli.-i X !•• dc._rabl» that wo-n.-rri rl-.iuK t v**t? ~v. _J1 bodies: tc) tier* c!T»r*tn> p!<-vfc>»--. RhottW be made by to-m" for Cbe audert!iirJ_o; and m-inftt-tn-ay ci t3 poe-rTMt: «rvtoa_, «nd

. | "That this Convention urges upon the | Covernineut the necessity of introducing j I a hill providing for the application of the ' initiative and referendum on all questions of social importance." "That this Convention urges the subFtiI union .if the Elective lixecutive for the j present lop-siileil system of Government Ibv representatives of only one party, and 1 | believes that this change would largely • | help the public weal." I . I •'That this Convention urges upon the I local unions the consideration of fruit markets that steps might be taken in regard to - establishing these in their respective dis- - trices." , "That this Convention regrets the ae- ' ceptance by athletic clubs. Young Men's s Association, rifle associations, of prises : presented by the licensed victuallers, j Seeing the no-license voters at last election were a majority of 1.1.884. a large number " of athletes and riflemen must either accept - what is contrary to their principles or r forego their chance of success in competition. The election of New Zealand officers " was carried through by ballot, the results [ being as follow:—President, Mrs. Coles; 2 corresponding secretary. Miss Webb; re--1 cording secretary, Miss Powell; treasurer, ' Miss McCarthy; vice-president at large. " Mrs. Atkinson.