W.C.T.U, CONVENTION

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 67, 18 March 1908, Page 3

W.C.T.U, CONVENTION

" AFTERNOON SESSION. At the afternoon session of the \Xo- j men's Christian Temperance Union Con-j vention the following resolutions were passed: — "That, while appreciating the legislation I - passed last session, which in some measure | reduces the facilities for gambling, this j Convention strongly protests against the : retention of the totalisator. on the grounds: j 111 that it gives Government sanction to .1 vice which is disastrous to social life; |2) ! that it is inconsistent with numerous en-i actments aeainst gambling in other forms;! (3) that public revenue is derived from a | practice which all wise governments' have i found it necessary to suppress. The Con-' vention also protests against the legislation ; that has rendered the licensing of book- j makers possible by the various jockey clubs." ""Seeing that the liquor traffic exists In thirty-six electorates, in spite of a collective majority of nearly 20.000 polled at last election for its abolition, this Convention considers the time has arrived when, in the interests of democracy and justice. the unjust provision of a three-fifths majority being required to carry the issue of no-license should be abolished. The Convention urges the Government to introduce legislation by which all forms of license shall be placed under the popular vote, a bare majority of votes polled being sufficient to carry any issue." "That this Convention expresses its gratification at the faithfulness with which the police are discharging their duty in connection with licensing matters, as evidenced by , the report presented to the Christchurch Licensing Committee re the Criterion Hotel ' case, and the recent exposure of the drink- I in_: amons women in certain Auckland j hotels." "That this Convention draws the attention of the New Zealand Alliance lv Com- i mlssioner Dinnie's letter to the Secretary of i tbe Licensed Victuallers' Employees." of. Christchurch Klateil Wellington. February 2Sth. IPOSi. aud urges them to take action I thereon." "That this Convention deeply deplores I the increase of drinking amongst younc men, and it is also especially grieved that the drink habit is taking hold upon many women, as iiroved by recent evidence I brought before the Auckland Liceustng Commlttee. The Convention earnestly implores all men ami women, who have the ;ood of the community at heart, not to fall I to record their vote against the licensed Ii- J qtior traffic at the next local option poll." Reports of the Literature. Ril»l»» In | Schools, Home Meorlnirs. Narcotics Committees were duly read and received. A revision "of the Constitution was then proceeded with, and the meeting was concluded with the Benediction. The following superintendents of departments were' "appointed. Evangelistic superintendent, Mrs. L'pton, Wanganui; home meetings. Miss Moody Hell; purity, Mrs. Webb, Ormondvtlie: educational meetings. Miss Powell: Sabbath observance. Mis. LIU, Can- I terbury; Maori work, MUs Barton; work among young people. Mrs. Spence, Aucklaud; medal cuntests, Mrs. Spence, Auckland; i scientific temperance instruction. Miss Mauu--1 der, Hawera: unfermented wine. Mrs. Gaskin, Greymouth; hygiene. Mrs. \V. S. Smith, I Christchnrch; press. Mrs. Mitchell, Invercargill: mothers' meetings. Mrs. llarbutt, 1 Auckland; Bible in schools. Miss Dewar, Auckland; narrotlcs. Miss Webb, Ormondvllie: work among seamen. Mrs. White Lyi- j telton; peace aud arbitration. Mrs. Gritfin, Hamilton; literature, Mrs. Hughes, Auck- i land: anti-gambling, Mrs. Jamieson. Tarikl: legal and Parliamentary. Mrs. MacaJlster. Wellington; prison work. Miss Johuston; I work In the hack blocks. Mrs. Israel; non- j alcoholic medication. Mrs. Dobrman, Dune I din: flower mission. Miss Cole, Christchurch; good citizenship. Mrs. Cole. ! The reports on the Bible in schools. Lite- | j rature and home meetings were presented by their respective superintendents. and \ I showed a steady and increased work. A'■ I grant of £Z> was made to the superintendent 'of Maori work to assist her to procure literature, etr. I MORNING SESSION, MARCH IS, r Mrs Swan was appointed superintenI dent of Thrift Department. Certain amendments of by-laws were ' made. It was resolved "That this Union | I wishes to place on record the apprecia-1 , tion of the work done by Airs. Dewar, , one of the oldest members ot" the Union, j coupled with Mis.-- M. Smith, who had I audited White Ribbon accounts, and Mr. ■ Day oi Christchurch for services in auditing. | Miss Agnes t-lack, in India, in a letter to Mrs. Cole stated that total abstinence among the richer classes in India was ; very rare. She was able to conduct! several drawing-room meetings while ' there. Much sympathy was received from ! the educated Indian people, also 10f)0 pledges were taken. The drink bill for India had increased a million during the last two years. The legal and parliamentary report was read. It was resolved "That all reports of departments be presented to Convention before any new business is taken." A letter was read from Dr. Hercod of i Lausanne. Switzerland, president of tho j "International Temperance Bureau." De- ! cided that our Union affiliate with the Bureau. Letters were received from Mrs. F. S. Hallowes, National President of W.C.T.U. in India, and from Mrs. Brilev, of Maine, U.S.A. The report of Superintendent Peace and Arbitration was read and received, I also Purity report. Work among Sea- ' | men (12 Unions reporting) : Dunedin i I Rest under the management of Mr. Fal- ■ eoner was reported to be doing excellent , work, every vessel of every nationality \ being visited, and meetings held for, benefit of the crews. Invitations from Gisborne. Masterton, j and Wellington were received for the ] Convention next year. The Wellington invitation was accepted. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the many hostesses for their kindness, the Auckland Union., to the vocalists, public speakers, managers of West-street church, and those of the Tabernacle. THE W.C.T.U. AND THE CD. ACTS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —It has been brought to my notice that a mistake has been made in a paragraph on page 5 of the "Star" for 17th. stating that we object to the repeal of the CD. Acts. Will you kindly insert the resolution! Resolved: "That convention desires again to enter a strong protest against the continued delay in the repeal of the CD. Acts."—l am, etc., F. COLE, F ___Jii._i_T.7 N. Z. president W.C.T.U.