W.C.T.U

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13376, 18 March 1909, Page 8

W.C.T.U

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON", March 17. The annual convention of the Women's Cliristiau Temperance Union commences its business sittings hero to-morrow. Tlie delegates were welcomed by the members of the Wellington branch to->\ay. Mrs Boxall, president of tho Wellington branch, who presided, welcomed the visiting delegates and spoke of the good work the In ion was- doing. Sho read extracts from letters thanking the Union for its successful efforts in reclaiming young men and women. The Hon. T. W. Hislop (Mayor of Wellington), in the absence of Mrs Hislop, through illness, addressed the gathering. He f.aid nothing could be higher or nobler than tho Unions' work in the reclamation of waifs and strays who had fallen by the way. The Rev. F. W. Isitt. on behalf of the Tomneranee Alliance, expressed the certainty that the work of the Convention would: be effectively carried out, and that the object they all had. in view woidd bo accomplished'" in the course of a very few years. The Rev. W. J. Williams, president of the Council of Churches, said tho W.C.T.U. was a powerful fighting arm in the troops of progress. The exertions of devoted women in the cause of temperance wero a great aid to the cau.se of religion. Messrs A. R. Atkinson and R. A. Wright, M.P., also spoke in support of the work of tho Union.

Mrs Cole, of Ohristchurch, president of the New Zealand Union, in returning thanks, congratulated the temperaiico party" upon the success which hut. attended' its efforts at the last local option poll. The Union had trie<i Jong enough to get rid of barmaids ; now they were endeavouring to get rid of the bars themselves.