W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, 12 March 1914, Page 6

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS. SOME IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS The W.C.T.U. Convention -was continued at the Scottish Hall yesterday. » ' ... I : \ GREETINGS. Greetings were received from the Christchurch and Wellington unions an/, the Gisborne branch of the Freedom League. A CONCESSION APPRECIATED. An announcement that the Union S.S. Co. has agreed to delay the steamer for half an hour in order that Mrs Leo Cowie may address the public meeting, was received with acclamation. LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY. Speaking to her report on the Legal and Parliamentary Department, Miss Roberts urged that the unions should oppose any attempt to provide increased facilities for gambling with the utmost of their capacity.—The report was adopted. NOTABLE DAYS. The ‘‘Notable Days” superintendent’s report was adopted. It was decided to include Temperance Sunday amongst the notable days. RESOLUTIONS. M iss Henderson submitted the report of the resolutions committee and the following resolutions were passed: ‘‘That this Convention deplores the fact that a superintendent of police should recommend C.D. Acts or any other form of State ergulation of vice, and further that it reaffirms its opl>osition to any form of regulation or to any difference in the treatment of the sexes as a means of dealing with the social evil.” “That this Convention recommend that the executive be asked to call to its assistance a body of influential men and women to consult together as a means of combating the ravages of venereal disease.” “Persons of both sexes who have been convicted for immoral offences and are beyond the age of reformatories, should be adjudged as moral degenerates, and should be detained in special institutions for an indeterminate time; the sentence to be subject to revision at stated periods. Men convicted of sexual offences against children of under age should he detained for life, or he compelled to undergo the minor surgical operation. (2) That a special institution should be established for these eases, and should be of the nature of a farm colony. (:3) That these institutions should be under the control of a board, consisting of equal numbers of men and women. (4) In eases of affiliation, where several men are implicated, each should be made responsible for the future maintenance of the child.

“As no man, convicted of any offence against person or property after suffering the penalty is deprived of his civil right of voting, therefore this convention strongly protests against the disfranchisement of conscientious objectors to military service, in addition to punishment for his offence.”

“That a committee of two, one residing in the North Island and another in the South Island, be appointed to collect information re white slave traffic in this Dominion, and to suggest preventative measures; that the committee consist of Mrs Field and another lady to he chosen by her.” “That the Railway Department be asked to provide on all long-distance trains separate lavatory conveniences for the sexfis; ,0 he provided in each carriage.” “Th?.t the. Government be asked to extend the system of bush-nursing.” '■That seeing that such an overwhelming majority of New Zealand electors are in favor of the total extinction of the liquor traffic, this Convention strongly protests against their convictions being outraged by the general display of liquor advertisements in the different railway stations, and urges that facilities for all such advertisements in all places and conveyances owned or controlled by the Government- and municipal authorities bo refused.” “That before the annual Convention all members intending to be present shall inform the Dominion Recording Secretary and entertaining Union of that- fact; also when a Union appoints its delegates and substitute, it sbf.ll through its secretary, notify the Dominion Recording Socertnry, and the entertaining Union of the fact. Each delegate shall at the Convention present to the Recording Secretary credentials signed by the president or secretary, and setting forth her full name and financial standing.” A hearty vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to Rev. L. Dawson 'Thomas for his convention sermon preached last Sunday night. A similar compliment was accorded the Rev. W. Grant for his sermon on Sunday morning. It was announced that Miss Cowell and Miss Roberts had been appointed to represent the Convention at the Gisborne Temperance Association’s meeting to-morrow night. The following resolution brought forward by the Education Committee was carried unanimously: “That this Convention desires to affirm strongly the advisability of women being represented <ni the proposed National Council of Education. The Convenion is aware that nothing in the recommendation of the Commissioners prevents the election of women to this Council, but feels that since, according to these recommendations, each body of electors has only one representative to elect, it may easily happen that no woman will tind a scat on the Council. It therefore urges that in the new Education Bill the regulations for the election of the Council be framed so as to ensure that a certain proportion of the members shall be women.” GREETINGS TO AUSTRALIA. It was decided to send the following greetings to the Australian Convention: “New Zealand Union grateful for the success of the temperance vote in our own land, and wishes you even greater success ” Mrs Lee-Cowie. who left last evening for Australia, was deputed to convey these greetings. Before Mrs Lee-Cowie left, the Convention rose and sang, “God Be "With You Till We Meet Again.” Mrs Cowie, in a few feeling words, said good-bye, and promised to convey the greetings. QUESTION OF REGISTRATION. Discussion took place upon the question of registration of the Union, and the following resolution was passed: “That at present we do not register as a New Zealand Union, but recommend any Union having property to register themselves m order to protect that property.” * GENERAL. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr p. Bowme for auditing the Organising and Treasurer’s balance-sheet. A number of amendments to the constitution were considered and passed. After the ordinary business was finished the last quarter of an hour was devoted to questions and discussion on general union business.