W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 465, 25 March 1909, Page 3

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Tho morning session of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was resumed at 9.30. Devotional exercises were/ conducted by Mrs. Kayo..

The report of the Maori Committee was presonted by Mrs. Hughes (Auckland). In connection with this work it was suggested that two ladies be appointed, one from the North and the other from the South' Island, to organise the Maori work. Mrs. Henderson, of .Hamilton, was appointed superintendent for the Dominion, and Mrs. To Tau organiser for the North Island. Mrs. Gnskin will'act for the South Island. Subsequently | the members of the convention went by invitation to visit tho Y.M.C.A., where the secretary (Mr. Holmes) -showed the ladies over tho building, and the Ladies' Auxiliary ontertained the visiting convention at afternoon tea. By invitStion also members visited the Salvation Army Children's Homo. StaffCaptain lloi and her helpers showed tho ladies over tho building, the visitors. being much pleased with what they saw. Tho last session of the convention met at 6 p.m. Dovotional exercises were conducted by Mrs. Rose, Blenheim. Tho following resolutions were carried by tho convention:—(l) That whilo appreciating) tho legislation passed last session, which, m some measure, reduces facilities for gambling, the convention strongly protests against the retention of tho totalisator, on the grounds: (a) That it gives Government sanction to a vice which is disastrous to social life; (b) that it is inconsistent with numerous enactments against gambling in other forms; (o) that public revenue is derived from a practico which all wise Governments have found it necessary to suppress. (2) Tho convention protests agajnst the legislation that has rendered tho licensing of bookmakers possiblo by the varibus Jockey Clubs. Invitations were received from Dunedin Invercargill, Greymouth, and Now Plymouth to hold tho convention next year in one of these centres. It was decided to moot at Invercargill. . Tho president was asked to represent Now /.calami at tho Australian Convention, to bo held next month, and she promised to do nor best to comply with tho wishos of tho convention.

It was further resolved:' (1) That this convention expresses its deep sympathy with •our comrades in tho Old Land on tho rejection of tho Licensing Bill by that irresponsible body, tho House of Lords. (2) That wo convey to our sisters in tho United States our hearty congratulations upon tho strides made by the Prohibition movement in their progressive land. Votes of thanks wero passed 'to tho Mayor and Mayoress, for tho use of tho Town Hall for tho reception of delegates, and tho ladies who entertained tho convontion on that occasion; also to Mrs. Keeno for kindly opening her houso and beautiful grounds for a garden party, and to the ministers and office-bearers of Vivian Street Church, Kent ierraco Church, and organist, also Newtown churches. It was decided to send congratulations to thoso electorates which havo carried, NoLicenso or Reduction, or havo returned NoiLiccnso members for tho Licensing Committee.