W.C.T.U.

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 55, 2 September 1915, Page 2

W.C.T.U.

PROVINCIAL CONVENTION Yesterday afternoon's session of th provincial convention of the Women' Christian Temperance Union commences with devotional ewrdees, led by Mid Powell, Dominion organiser. ML* Powell af terwarde spoke on th< importance of circulating the Kitchenei pledge, representatives giving their ex penance in the matter. It waa repartee that some unions were working the "On^ . win one " campaign, I It was resolved : That this Wellington Provincial Convention deeply regrets thai the members of Parliament had not enough loyalty and patriotism to follow 1 the example of His Majesty the King oj total abstinence during the war, but del cided by a secret vote to continue t\\4 sale of drink at Bellamy's. | Mrs. A. R. Atkinson gave a fine ad- 1 dress on the subject of venereal diseaseJ Dr. Edith Huntley followed on th<! same subject. ! Mrs. Atkinson stated that a chaplain returned from the front had informed her that ac the result of wide experience! he had yet to learn of one total abstainer who had become infected. ■ It was resolved :—": — " That this convention heartily approves of the suggestion* of the Special Committee of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable- Aid Board in the matter of lectures on social hygiene, provided the lectures give plain warning as to the lasting effects of trans-! gression, and that they inculcate the truth that personal chastity provides the only safeguard against these diseases, and the serious risk, not only of grave injury toj the men and women themselves, but almost certainly to their future children j and provided, further, that these lectures' explain clearly that the highest EuroJ. pean medical authorities agree that noj remedial measures or palliatives can ever; be depended upon, to effect ai cure, and that while they may relieve the suffer-! ing of the patient, they can never ensure! safety for his wife and future children a and further, point out .the harm these, remedies do by creating a, false cense of> security." ' | It was also resolved : — "That this con-^ vention of wives, mothers, and siatew of. New Zealand, whose brave sons have' gone to the front to fight our Empire's battles, desires to express our tender^ sympathy with them in the sacrifice they have made in giving their dearest foi* the defence of the Empire." j A discussion took place upon the ad-, miefiion. of boys under age to ilia Force,^ and the following resolution was passed :' "That when the officers have a sus-j picion that q. recruit is under age, theyi be instructed to demand proof of birth, "i EVENING MEETING. N Delegates were entertained at tea yesterday by the Wellington District Union, | and afterwards a pnblic meeting was I held. | Mrs. A. R. Atkinson delivered an adt dress on "Prohibition and the Revenue." She contended that the so-called loss of revenue by the prohibition of the liquor traffic would be more than made up in. other ways. A large percentage of the expenditure necessary for prisons, the police, criminal prosecutions, charitable aid, and even old age pensions and hospitals, was .du<s to drink. A man who took one drink on each week day, and spent only 4s a year in "shouting," would spend £8 in the twelve months. The. Rev. Knowles Smith alpo spoke, referring to the high ideals of the „W,0.T.T7., , v 'Musical arid elocutionary item* were contributed during the evening!