W.C.T.U. MEETING

Evening Star, Issue 17599, 2 March 1921, Page 8

W.C.T.U. MEETING

WELCOME TO MRS DON. ’ The first meeting this year of the 1 Women's Christian Temperance Union was held yesterday afternoon, Mrs Hictt presiding. A hearty welcome was extended to Mrs Don and *to Miss M'Carthy, who have returned from a visit to the Homeland. Mrs Don, who was heartily received, ! gave an eloquent and interesting address on her experiences during her trip, first cooLcmlW the earlier and the present portion m the W C.T.U. At first almost snewwj «.t, was now supported by great and inJma-rtlft! men and women. She expressed t>o pleasure and pride she felt in meeting these people and in occupying the same platform. Thw-t were at the World’s Convention I,WO delegates, each representing a special union Other representatives brought the total np to 3,000. Such a concourse of women, the speaker said, she liad never even imagined before. At a special service in Westminter Abbey 400 seats were reserved in the centre for overseas delegates. She spoke of the splendid address given by the Bishop of

London, and of the impressive service in Dr Jowett’s church. Mrs Don described the beautiful thanks-offering gifts given by the 100 delegates of the forty-eight dry States in America. -She spoke admiringly of the red-hot enthusiasm shown by the American women, and, as an instance of the success of Prohibition in America, said that gaols and institutions were advertising apartments to let. She told of the splendid women she saw and heard —of Ladv Carl vie (the world's president), and of Mrs Mary Armour and Mrs Booth Clifford (both very fine speakers). Mrs Don told how pleased was on her return to find that scientific instruction on the use of alcohol was to bo given- in the public schools. She concluded her address by urging her hearers to take as their slogan “Prohibition in 1922.” COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OPPOSED. The President road the following resolution, which was adopted by the National Council of (Dunedin branch), after hearing Lady Stout’s lecture, and asked the union for an expression of opinion on it: —“In connection with the national effort for the reduction of venereal disease, this association congratulates Mr Parr on the good work which has already been done by the free clinics established a few months ago, and would support extension of the work on these linos, but strongly protests _ against a clause in any Bill proposing notification I and compulsory treatment.” Miss M'Carthy, Mrs Don, and Miss | Powell spoke strongly against compulsory notification. Mrs Don stated that compulsory notification was quite against the principles of the W,C.T.U. The New Zealand Union had been instrumental in erasing the C.D. Act from the Statute Book, and they must not allow it again to become law. Considerable discussion followed, and a public meeting to explain the probable working of the danse was suggested. Members agreed with Lady Stout that tho carrying of Prohibition of the liquor traffic would help greatly in preventing the disease. It was decided to forward the resolution as a remit from the union to tho convention. MOTION OF SYMPATHY. The union passed a vote of deep sympathy with Mrs James Marion and her children on the sudden death of her husband, and with a member who had lost her mother. Tho union also expressed sympathy with Miss Beckingsale on account of her mother’s ill-health, which necessitated her return to Dunedin. GENERAL. ■ Delegates to tho Band of Hope Union ; and superintendents of various depart- ; meats were appointed. ■ Two new members were initiated. ] Mesdames Hiett, Gain, Macartney, and Allan were chosen as delegate to the ( convention of the New Zealand W.C.T.U., - to be held in Ashburton, opening on i March 9.