W.C.T.U. CONVENTION

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1920, Page 9

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION

REPORTS OF SECTIONS

On Saturday the- convention of the W.C.T.U. continued the despatch of business: whio'i included departmental reports. Satisfactory accounts were given of the Flower Mission and Relief Work, and in connection with this il was mentioned that rest 'and refreshment rooms had been conducted on polling days, and the question of rest-rooms for mothers was discussed with approval. The report of evangelistic, home, and moders' meetings was presented by Mrs. Johnson' Wright, who emphasised the usefulness and importance of this work. Reports from both North and South were received and showed a steady continuation of work, though not so large in some places as might be desired. The home, science section.rreport presented by Mrs. M'Dona'd was passed with approval. The question of Sabbath observance was discussed, and suggestions were put forward as to work which might be done to aid better efforts in this direction. Jlrs. Walker stated a case of considerable- distress in a Maori family, and the sum of £5 was voted as temporary relief while further arrangements were.made. I'h response to a. general request, Mrs. Atkinson consented to given talk on the proper methods of conducting meetings if arrangements could be made during tlie ■convention. .-.-

In the course of a general discussion on the boarding-out of children,'the opinion wns freety expressed that more sympathetic supervision was needed on the part, of officials whose duty it was to see that the children were happy as well as clothed and led. Mrs. A. R. Atkinson paid a hearty tribute of praise to the Home of Compassion, which never refused to take iii children, even infants of very tenaer age. Reports 'of the year's work in the Cradle Holl and Loyal Temperance Legion wer.e presented by the superintendent, Mrs. M'NeaL and. of the Scientific Temperance Instruction Department by Miss Helyer. A suggestion from this department was to the effect : That a- deputation, set up by Convention, should wait on the Minister for Education to urge that scientific instruction be made compulsory, in the curriculum.

The chairwoman drew members' attention to the need for more instruction in temperance among young people as emphasised, by the Rev. Mr. Dawson. Tho nesessity' for instruction in scientific temperance in State schools was emphasised by several speakers, and it was resolved that a deputation from the Convention should wait upon the Minister of Education to bring the matter before him.

Cradle Roll and Band of Mercy work was discussed, and it was decided to ask superintendents of Sunday schools to incorporate Band of Hope work in the instruction given. Mrs. Nea-1 moved the adoption of the report of the Medical Temperance Department, and urged that more prominence should be given to the spread of the knowledge that alcohol was not necessary in sickness. The report was adopted. The report of the Education Bureau (Mrs. Weston); was passed without discussion.

Mrs. Nimmo, in supporting the report of the department for work among seamen, stated that the W.C.T.U. raised £3500 in money and goods for work among sailors during the war. The report of the department of prison anil reformatory work was moved and adopted.

Mrs. ilowlem presented her report on the literature department, which does much in the way of propaganda.