WOMEN IN COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3584, 9 March 1914, Page 6

WOMEN IN COUNCIL.

THE W.C.T.U. CONVENTION

A SOLID DAY’S WORK ON SATURDAY. ' .. * The delegates attending the annual Convention of the W.C.T.U. can not be charged with a desire to shirk work. Business in connection with the Convention proceeded briskly at the Scottish Hall on Saturday from 9.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m., and a large budget of reports were put through with businesslike despatch. Owing to the threatening state of the weather, it was decided to postpone the garden party at Wainui until Monday afternoon, and take the reports set down for that afternoon on Saturday.

THE BUSINESS. The following reports were dealt with on Saturday : “The White Ribbon.”—ln her report on “The White Ribbon,” the official organ of the W.C.T.U., Mrs Perytnan, the editor, said there were 1859 subscribers when the management was handed over to them in April last, and the December issue was 2001 subscribers, an increase of 142 for the nino months. The credit for this increase was entirely due to the labors of tho White Ribbon superintendent, and to Miss Powell and Miss Woodhead. Bluff, Christchurch, and Wellington Central unions each secured a year’s free copy offered to those who sent in ten new subscribers. The credit balance, £3 Is 2d, was smaller than usual, owing to tho accounts being sent out late. The thanks of the Convention were duo to Mrs Evans. M.A., their able associate editor, and to Mr 13. Lynnoberg for auditing the accounts —Mrs Peryman’s balance-sheet showed that receipt, amounted to £272 2s LI Jd, including subscriptions and sales £196 2s 51d, and the expenditure was £269 Is 9}d, including £lB7 9s for printing. The surplus of assets over liabilities was £94 16, lOd. Back Blocks (Mrs Israel). —Literature has been sent to men working in camps and deep sea vessels. Gisborne posted to railway camps and back blocks 224 papers and temperance leaflets; also wrote 11 letters. Thrift (Mrs Flanagan).— From reports ’received at the end of the year, T’elone was the only union that had done any work in connection with Thrift, "Miss Peach gave an address iat a mothers’ meeting urging the mothers to encourage their children to save their pennies, and to obtain a P.O. saving bank for purpose. Hygiene (Mrs McDonald).- —Addresses oil subjects' relating to hygiene had been given at different places, and literature distributed. Attention was drawn to the fact that there should he separate conveniences for the sexes on trains, and the doors plainly labelled. Sabbath Observance (Mrs Hamilton). —“F sent out a letter to every union, and was cheered by several answering them, and appointing superintendents for this work. These letters were all answered, but up to date of writing (December 29th) I have only had two reports of work done. I feel sure that much more has been doue, but it is very disappointing for them not to send reports earlier. I would willingly help anyone in any way I could who will take up this work for the coming year.” Temperance Sunday (Mrs Jansen). —“Hie wheel of time lias once more revolved, and brings us to another milestone. The reports received have been fewer than of former years, probably due to my circular reaching the unions rather later than usual. On my part this was unavoidable, for which I am sorry. Some samples of suitable and very fine literature came to hand, but too late to be ef any service for last year’s work. No doubt you will have these in the future. They will lie a source of help and instruction, interpreting what Temperance Sunday involves.” The report of the organising treasurer showed that receipts for the year amounted to £165 12s 9d, including X>rivate donations, £45 Os 4d. The expenditure was.. £B2 18s 9d, leaving a credit balance of £B2 14s. Mrs Walker, convener of the Maon work committeee, which met on Saturday morning, submitted a report which was adopted. It was decided to approach the New Zealand Alliance regarding legislation dealing with adulterated liquor, airs Beryman and Mrs Evans were appointed a committee to carry out the recommendations of the committee. In connection with the White Ribbon report,' a vote of thanks was passed to Mr B. Lynnoberg for auditing the accounts free of charge. Mrs Penman was unanimously reappointed editor and business manager, and Mrs W. A. Evans, M.A., associate editor.- —Several tributes of ap~preeiation of their work were paid to these ladies. A vote of thanks was passed to the three ladies who read papers at the public meeting held in the Methodist Church on Friday night. In connection with .the scientific temperance instruction report the following resolution was carried: “That this convention considers that as teachers are required to give lessons, of the physical effects of alcohol, that young teachers in training colleges should have special instruction in that subject and that it should form part of their examination. PURITY AND MORAL EDUCATION An able report on this subject was supplied by Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, who stated:—“l find that the prominent note in all the reports sent to me is an awakened interest, a realisation that this is a branch of education which cannot he ignored without danger to all. A number of women refuse to accept the time-worn axiom that their safety from the fear of sexual assault is owing t 0 the fact that there are prostitutes in their midst, ready to meet what has been considered for ages a necessary demand; they attribute their safety to quite another cause. If all women would definitely study the subject as it applies to themselves and their children, and teach their children the truths they have grasped, jve should not have so many unenlightened young men and maidens ready to please themselves, heedless of the consequences to others. The sale of literature has been greater this year owing to the splendid work done bv Miss Powell.” After full discussion, the following resolutions were passed: “That this Convention expresses its satisfaction •with the decision of the Christchurch Hospital Board to make provision for experienced and easi’.y-accessible medical treatment without registration or • publicity for all sufferers from venereal diseases; and, further, that the Union urges all Hospital Boards to follow the same course. (2) The regulation system is condemned as being wrong in principle and a failure in practice. Regulation increases vree and fails to reduce disease; it tends to corrupt the young, and to demoralise the police charged with its administration! (3) That a vote of thank* be accorded to Dr. Fenwick for his action in moving the Hospital Board to adopt measures for the relief of venereal diseases.” PRISON AND REFORM WORKSister Moody Bell, in her report on the above subject, stated : Among, our many departments of me ■W.C.T.U. I fear this one has not vet received, full recognition, if I may judge by the meagre response to my request for report*, of work done during .the year. The scope of action is necessarily very limited, in our Dominion, but whatever can be done to help our prisoners shouitibe taken upheart--edly. (Hie present Minister of Justice

(Mr Herdman) has ruled that no woman shall be allowed inside these prisons for men, though we could wish that suitable Christian women were allowed to use a motherly and helpful influence among them. Still we can supply magazines, religious papers, and books for the libraries, also Christma*. cards as personal gifts (where permitted by the local authority). Perhaps assitance, financial and otherwise, might be given through the visiting chaplains and the Prisoners Aid Society. The Invercargill Reformatory lias been specially effective in assisting these young men to a better life and reformed character. Good testimony j s forthcoming in many places to hftnefit received through the introdwdtion of special modern/fietliods of Idformative treatment. AVjpmen pris<fc/£ ers have of late been/ effiraftied from, other parts to the off’s Gaol, Christchurch. tion plan admits of many advantageous arrangements, whereby effective and helpful influences on special lines suitable for women can be secured. Sisters, let us remember our responsibility towards those who are less favored than ourselves, hoping for the revival of all that is the best in them.” , Speaking to the report. Miss Henderson. M.A., of Christchurch, said that it was a credit to their sex that tore were very few women prisoners in New Zealand'. Those who were there were the old hardened offenders, with whom reform was impossible, and who practically spent the whole of their time in prison. It was not poverty which prompted the crimes of the few women who were sent to gaol; these were in the majority of ease*, welldressed women who were capable of earning a good living, but could not overcome a kleptomania. After an interesting ' discussion, it was decided to frame a resolution urging the Government to set aside an area of land which prisoners coidd cultivate and thereby be self-supporting.

OPEN-AIR MEETING. An open-air meeting was held at the Sievwright Memorial at 8 o’clock on Saturday night. Rev. F. TV. Chatterton, President of the Gisborne Nolicense League, presided. Forceful temperance addresses were delivered by Miss Powell. Misg Roberts, and Airs Harrison Lee-Cowie. The largo crowd present gave the ladies a good hearing.