W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3585, 10 March 1914, Page 6

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. The W.C.T.U. Convention resumed at the Scottish Hall at 9.30 o’clock. It was decided to reciprocate the greetings sent from the Methodist Conference. Greetings were received from' Mrs McCarthy (Winelimore) and the Gisborne Temperance Association. The Latter forwarded an invitation to the delegates to attend the meeting on Thursday night/ and provide speak--1 Sister Nora, of Wellington, who had arrived that morning, was welcomed, and took her seat in convention as fraternal delegate for the Gore Union.

REPORTS. The following reports were read and adopted: GOOD CITIZENSHIP. (Mrs Judson.) This report included the following.: The principal activity this year has been to secure the election of women upon public bodies. Reports have been sent in by 17 Unions, of which 11 have worked in this direction, with the result that 36 women have been elected, 24 on School Committees. 11 on Charitable Aid Boards, and one (Miss Ellen Melville, Auckland) on the City Council; but as these reports only represent a small minority of the Unions, this cannot be taken as a complete list. Three or four Unions have held meetings of an educational character, for the purpose of self-training in the duties of citizens and in methods of work. It is much to be desired that this branch of work should be more widely undertaken, that women generally may be better fitted to take their part in the work and responsibilities which the possession of the Franchise lays upon them. A report of the work of the Department during the three previous years was compiled early in the year and sent to Miss Anna Gordon, to be incorporated in the report for the World Convention, held in October last in New York. Christchurch. —Great interest taken in school committee elections, six members being returned; one also stood for the Education Board, but was unsuccessful. Two women (one a member) elected on the Charitable Aid Board. A meeting was held, addressed by Misses Newcombe and Hodge, and members co-operated in the formation of the British Dominion Overseas Women’s Suffrage Union. Took part in a meeting for the discussion of Lady Stout’s resolutions re social problems affecting women, viz., raising the age of consent to 18 (Christchurch Union standard was 21), the appointment of women officials over women prisoners, and women inspectors of public schools. Gisborne. —Four members on school emmittees; one candidate for Hospital Board, but was unsuccessful. Importance of exercising the vote brought before members. Invercargill.—Correspondence with Borough Council as to liquor advertisements on trains and tram tickets. Memorial presented against “contract for five years” being let without restriction as to liquor advertisements to an Auckland firm. Electoral committee appointed for municipal elections. Letters and telegrams to Premier, M.P., etc., re three-fifths majority; also re reform of laws, naturalisation, and ten resolutions sent bv Lady Stout. Two addresses from Misses Hodge and Newcombe on English suffragettes, very well attended.

MILITARY CAMPS. (Mrs Mitchell.) In furnishing my report on Military Camps and the best moans of assisting in the work of providing for the social, moral, and religious wellbeing of the Territorials, whilst in traning, I have taken inte consideration the splendid work that is being done in connection with the Y.M.C.A, and the C.E.M.S. in their respective institutes. In the large camps both the organisations have large marquees erected, which are equipped with all kinds of games, magazines, and illustrated papers; whilst writing materials are supplied free of cost, and postal facilities are afforded, which are a decided. boon to the men. Those institutes are open all through the day and every evening till 10 o’clock. An efficient staff is maintained, and the popularity of the work is shown by the large number of men who flock to these social centres, Every evening they are crowded, whilst during the day advantage is taken of the opportunity for letterwriting for those who are off duty. It is safe to say that many hundreds of letters are written to friends and parents which would never he written in the limited space and convenience of the ordinary living tent. And it the institutes answered no other purpose, this alone would justify their existence. - Concerts are arranged, the men themselves often being the performers, though occasionally small parties motor out from the nearest city and provide very attractive programmes, which are greatly enjoyed by the men. Here in these marquees may be seen, mixing freely with the men and joining them in their games, the chaplains who are in camp. Thus an opportunity is afforded of coming into personal touch that is eagerly seized and taken advantage of. Every morning the men attend a parade, when prayers are slid by the chaplains, and before the “Last Post” is sounded at night, a short service is held in the institute for all who care to remain On Sundays Divine Service is conducted, usually in two groups, the Anglicans holding one, and the nonAnglicans the other. As one thinks of the very complete arrangements made for the comfort and well-being of the men. one is at a loss to make any suggesting that would add to their cmfort. There remains the consideration. however, as to how we as a Union might assist the institutional work that is being done by the Y.M.C.A. and the- C.E.M.S. so. efficiently. The cost of both these organisations is met by voluntary offerings. In seeking information as to the best means of co-operating or assisting, I find the following to he the most practical:—(l) Helping with funds; (2) illustrated magazines and periodicals(3) games, such as bagatelle, scallywag, quoits, etc. First: The cost of equipment, installation of gas plant, staff, etc., is very heavy, and is met by voluntary contributions, and a donation to the secretary of the Y.M.C.A. or the C.E.M.S. would therefore show nor practical symout.li v with their good work. ' iSTcond : As the time for reading is verv limited, onlv illustrated papers and magazines are of any use, about one thousand ■ being required for big

camps. ' Third : A very necessary part of the equipment is a large phonograph, and If some of our branches could arrange for the loan or gift of such an article, it would be a good tiling. Whateve may be our opinions with, regard to compulsory training, we are of one opinion with regard to safeguarding fhe moral and religious character of cur sons and brothers, and as „-e bun-iv in .what w.av we may best -accomplish this, let us not fa; 1 in doing our duty, bv co-operating with the two organisations X have already mentioned. Th~ testimony, of the chaplains, <>s to- good behaviour in camp is practically unanimous; •■With one or two executions the..: behaviour of the .men has been very commendable, and it is attributed largely to the stringent clauses of the Act prohibiting all intoxicating liquor from being brought into camp, and the splendid provision made for looking after tho men during their spare time.

PEACE AND ARBITRATION. (Mrs Lee-Cowie.) On being appointed to this department I wrote every branch, the letter published in July issue of “White Ribbon,” and have been glad to receive answers from Rangiora, Ngaere, New Plymouth, Nelson, Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, Gisborne, Wanganui, Timaru, and Invercargill. Mr and Mrs Alexander, the Peace Deputaion from London, have done noble work all through New Zealand, and where possible have addressed meetings of our W.C.T.U. There has been an amount of literature distributed bearing on peace among the nations to undo the mischief wrought by the false reasoning of advocates of conscription. Zangwill says: “To prevent war prepare for war, is a sentence framed in hell.” “To prevent war, prepare for peace.” Beat your swords into ploughshares, and your spears into pruning hooks.” Let the Christ law prevail among Christian women, and soon it will rule Christian nations. I hope that this year will be the brightest, best of years for all people on earth, by the loosening of the iron yoke of war, and the flinging down of the awful burden of armaments. Miss Roberts made a strong protest against the mad race for amaments, and blamed the subsidised press to a great extent for the crushing burden which was being put upon the nations. Mrs Lee-Gowie counselled the inculcation of the peace principle in the home, and the circulation of literature, including such books as Baroness Yon Cut tner's “Lay Down Your Arms.” Miss Henderson, M.A., drew attention to the fact that the women and children had to bear the brunt of the South African war. In the Bloemfontein concentration camps, she stated, over 20,0CX) women and children had died, whereas only some 4000 ihen had actually been shot in battle. The saddest part of all was that fully 12.000 of those who perished were children under Id years of age.

ANTI-GAMBLING. {Mrs Houlder.) “Quite a number of Secretaries hare sent post cards saving their unions have done nothing this year in this department, but let us remember that the need, for action is still as great as ever, and when we see our young people flocking to the races practically to gamble, hundreds every week gambling on hockey games, football, cricket, etc., to say nothing of bridge and other card games played for money it behoves us, as members of the W.0.T.U., to take a very decided stand against this great and growing evil. Our unions still continue to send resolutions to Parliament, but the question arises, do they get the attention from the M.’sP.they ought to, "or are they consigned to the waste paper basket P Let us keep on and on until we rid our fair land of all that is blight, and that tends to degrade outvoting womanhood and our maidens. The Kaiapoi Union has passed and forwarded L> the Premier and M.P. for the district the following resolutions: —lst: “Against Post and Telegraph Department being allowed to transmit matters relating to betting on horse racing, and considers the Government, by allowing such use to be made of these services, conniving at law-break-ing.” 2nd : “Against any increase of racing days or totalisator permits. Miss Roberts, speaking to the report, said she was sorry so few unions were moving in the matter against greater facilities for gambling being increased. She referred to Mr Hunter's Bill to increase the totalisator permits, and the Lyttelton “Times” denunciation of these facilities, and urged that the strongest resolution possible should he passed protesting against increased facilities for gambling being provided. It was one of the"most important things they should do to try to prevent the passing of Mr Hunts’s BilL She did not see why "every Christian Church should not pass a resolution protesting against the passing of the Bill. Some time ago she asked the leaders of various Christian organisations to do something. She spent a whole day on this mission, and as far as she knew not a thing was done. (Voices: Shame). Miss Roberts said every union should approach their respective members of Parliament. Mrs Houlder said cli c had seen the president of tlm antigambling league at urging that the W.C.T.U. shoo’d be allowed to deputationise the Prime Minister, but he said the time was hardly ripe for that vet. Mrs Houlder referred to the gambling evil that was creeping into the sports clubs. Some people boasted that they paid all their debts with what t-hev made at gambling. Mrs Don: And what about what they lose? —Mrs Houlder: Oh! they don’t say anything about that.—Other speakers urged that card playing in Christian houses should be stopped.— One lady protested against the practice of guessing competitions being held at social afternoons and prizes given to the winners. She had no objection to providing _ amusement and games, but the gambling spirit was becoming too strong and creating a dishonorable spirit amongst their young women.

FLOWER MISSION AND RELIEF WORK. (Miss E. C. Cole.) Visits had been made by members of some unions to hospitals and flowers and messages sent. Some bad sent fruit, literature, parcels of clothing, etc., to various institutions. Regarding Gisborne, the report states: Visits paid to hospital and home 65; ladies of Guild gave afternoon tea at the home twice during the year. The superintendent has singing, prayer, and Bible reading once a month with the old men.”

EDUCATIONAL BUREAU. (Miss Powell.) In response to my appeal, only eight unions sent in reports, iand only one of these came from a city. Are the rest neglecting educational work? Some unions held regular educational meetings alternately with ordinary meetings, but smaller unions could make all their meetings, educational. Over 70 papers are in circulation, which have been sent to 88 branches. Every now branch (save one) lias been communicated with, and the superintendent has kept them all supplied with a paper for each meeting as long as these were promptly returned.

“Y” REPORT. (Mrs Moody.) In placing before the Convention the annual report of “V” work, I desire to thank God for all that He has enabled our young people to do. We express our deep gratitude for His unfailing mercies for the way in which He lias blessed us through the year that has gone, and although many have been called to pass through deep sorrow and bereavement, yet His grace has sustained and helped them. To our young people for the way in which they, havo so nobly worked and helped the mother unions, for their efforts to relieve by their deeds tho sufferings of others, for these deeds of love they have the satisfaction of knowing'that “Inasmuch as they did it to them in so much have they dene it unto God.” He will not forget, net fail to see the smallest or meanest thing done for Him. May His richest blessing rest on the Labors of the “Y’s” in our Dominion and elsewhere.