W.C.T.U. ANNUAL CONVENTION

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25607, 23 September 1948, Page 2

W.C.T.U. ANNUAL CONVENTION

TWO-DAY GATHERING IN CHRISTCHURCH

Interesting reports on philanthropic work done by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, of which little is known by the general public, were given at the annual North and South Canterbury Provincial convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union held yesterday in the Central Mission rooms. The Sailors’ Rest at which is owned and run by the union, was the subject of a fiveminute talk by Miss Stevenson, of the Timaru branch, who told how much the amenities were appreciated by seamen whose ships called at Timaru.

About eight branches of the union assist in visiting lonely patients at the Mental Hospital, and the annual report for North Canterbury, read by the district secretary (Mrs R. Black), told of outings arranged for the patients, some of whom were taken to members’ homes for a day. The report stated that in addition to comforts and dainties taken to the patients by the visitors, special efforts were made to make Christmas a happy one for them. About 50 patients a month were visited. Members also visited the women’s reformatory once a month. This year members had ,made special contributions, in response to an appeal from CORSO, and had purchased a spinning wheel to be sent to China. Various branches of the union had also assisted with the Food for Britain campaign, and the Christchurch branch had contributed gifts of food regularly each month and taken it to the Red Cross depot for dispatch in bulk to Britain.

Mrs C. R. N. Mackie, Dominion peace superintendent, who represented New Zealand at the World Convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in the United States at the end of last year, gave a report of the conference and some interesting sidelights from the visitor’s point of view. A five-minute paper on ‘‘Mental Psychiatry” was given by Mrs M. Griffiths (North Canterbury), and Miss P. Tooley (Waimate). South Canterbury district secretary, read the annual report for her district.

A resolution urging that the right be given to vote on local option was passed and will be sent to the Dornin--ion Executive of the union. Members approved a number of resolutions passed by the New Zealand Alliance in August. Mrs E. R. Clark, North Canterbury Provincial president, presided, and welcomed delegates.

At the session to be held this morning officers will be elected, and two five-minute papers will be given, one by Mrs A. Walton on “The Effect of Alcohol on Health.” and the other on “Peace” by Miss Sadie Hayman (Waimate). The work for the year will be planned, and in the afternoon Mrs C. L. Crowley will speak on “The Law of the Bible."