W. C. T. U.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 June 1927, Page 3

W. C. T. U.

ANNUAL CONVENTION.

TARANAKI AND WANGANUI DISTRICTS.

The annual confereme of delegates of the W.C.T.U. was held in Hawera yesterday, Mrs. A. H. Duxfield (\\ anganui) presiding over an attendance of 55 from all over the district.

Tlie various delegates then read reports of the affiliated unions in the northern and southern districts. A brief summary of the work in the Taranaki district is as follows:

The membership showed increases in most of the branches, Eltham membership being 24 (increased 3), Inglewood 32 (6), Manaia 54 (14), New Plymouth 206, Ngaere 15, Normanby 20 (1), Stratford 81 (3), Waitara 34. Monthly meetings had been held by all unions. The White Ribbon subscribers were: Inglewood 12, Manaia 18, New Plymouth 61 (4 new), Ngaere 10, Normanby 16, Stratford 25 (2 new). The cradle rolls for the various unious disclosed memberships as follows: Manaia 52 (8 increase), New Plymouth 309 (7), Ngaere 38, Normanby 85, and Stratford 39. ANN UAL REPORTS.

Regarding the two-issue ballot paper every branch had canvassed for names. Ngaere had sent coloured cards and pictures for scrap books to Maori children. Special mention was made of the great work which had been done bv Mrs. Tuffery, the Maori work superintendent at New Plymouth. . Mrs. Tuffery could speak the Maori language and the Maoris loved her. Books, magazines, etc., had been regularly forwarded to the backblocks and public works camps by Stratford and New Plymouth. New Plymouth had a hospital and sick visiting committee, while Stratford gave afternoon tea each month to hospital patients and visited the hospital frequently. -The Waitara W.C.T.U. had formed a committee to wait on the Borough Council and Retailers’ Association to interest them in a scheme to provide a women’s rest room at Waitara. A letter had also been sent to the Chamber of Commerce, and favourable replies had been received. The Taranaki sailors’ rest room fund had received very generous support from all branches throughout the district.

Ali branches reported visits from the district president, who had given some helpful addresses and had reported on the Dominion convention’s work. Following a recommendation of the executive committee, it was decided to hold future conferences at the end of July or the first week in August.

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA. Tlie Wanganui district president (Mrs. A. H. Duxfield) recounted the work done during the past year. She referred to the necessity of educating the young citizens, 60,000 of whom would come or age next year, regarding “the greatest social evil that ever inflicted mankind —the liquor traffic.” It was shocking to think, said the speaker, that the canvass on the petition for the two-issue ballot paper revealed in many cases a lamentable ignorance. Women had a great latent power for good if they would only use it. Here the speaker quoted Ghandi’s book on the subject of drink and drugs in India. It was suggested that at the monthly meetings time should be spent in studying the position in America, “taking our information from reliable sources instead of reading misleading Press Association cables, which are obviously sent out by those who are biassed and opposed to the reform.” The speaker said she had been distressed to hear our own people at times doubt the success of the prohibition law because of what they read in the daily newspapers. “Always ask ourselves the question, ‘who says that, and for what purpose has that been sent out?’ ” she said. Members should not forget that millions of law-abiding citizens were living happily under the existing law, and it was the doings of a small minority of law-breakers, whose misdeeds were broadcast in order to prejudice other countries, which were watching closely the working of the gigantic reform. In Kansas alone there were 87 counties without any insane, 54 without feeble-minded, 53 without gaol inmates, 96 without inebriates, 38 without pool-houses, and 16> without a representative ir. the State penitentiary.

AIRS. T. E. TAYLOR'S ADDRESS. The Dominion president, Alls, T. E. Tay.or, in an address mentioned that the women must unite to banish the liquor trade. She stated that in Sir Joseph Wards’ electorate 301)9 women had signed the petition lor a two-issue ballot-paper, and when he received it he could not pass it over lightly. Throughout New Zealand the women who had signed the petition averaged between one and two thousand in each electorate, and they could hope that the long-sought two-issue ballot would become the law of the land. The Prime Alinister had promised a deputation recently that a Bill would be brought down this session, and that members would have an opportunity odiscussing it. He had been informed that a petition was going to each member. “We must wait and watch — readv to do whatever our headquarters ask "us to do. The Bill may be one which we can -face, discuss, and perhaps have amended,” said the speaker, who appealed for support, mentioning that all would be informed of the parts they r would have to play.

Quoting from the Scriptures the speaker exhorted all present to use their knowledge and energy ior mankind. All they possessed had been given freely to them, and Christ had commanded Ids disciples to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and raise the dead. Members should strive even more earnestly to abolish the dreadful drink traffic from the land. Members knew that young mothers wore taking alcohol, and all knew what this meant for the future generation. Rhe was not inclined to frown heavily on youth, and it had to he remembered that all voting people must have pleasure. The young girls of the present generation were passing through an economic evolution During the war years they were suddenlv taken into offices, etc., and had not jet learned to adjust t hem selves to the new conditions. The speaker said that the majority ol the voting women had done very well, hut the re" wsm need for farther tuition yet. Even i hough they might feel discouraged. they should remember that the Master expected them to do their part. Touching upon the nunneinl cpies(ion the speaker said _ that the Willard Home committee in Palmerston North and the Palmerston North (’nioti had derided not to apply lor further grants from the Met ai'tliy Trust. (Applause.) Unions would have to help a little more, as money was necessary to carry on the work.

Trj conclusion, tli6 speaker said that all should strive to educate the- public to the evils of drink—no one else but the women would take up the work. The poll was merely an incident in the campaign. There was plenty of material to work upon ; there was plenty of information .available from America, wliicli country would not go back to license. Much was heard —but that was meant to bo heard. The information in the “White Ribbon” was true and should be believed. The information contained therein should be memorised, so that the misstatements should be refuted. Mrs. S. Peryman, editress of tlie “White Ribbon,’' appealed to supporters to send in their copy early for each month’s edition. She advocated the personal touch in connection with the tight- and related one or two instances of success attending members efforts. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following officers were elected: Wanganui.—President, Mrs. Duxfield; vice-president, Mrs. Stewart; secretary. Airs. Gilmour; treasurer, Mrs. Upton. North Taranaki. —President, Mrs. Phillips; vice-presidents, Mrs. Simpson (Inglewood); treasurer, Mrs. W. If. Hoskins (New Plymouth); recording secretary, Mrs. Hayward (Hawera) . The balance-sheets of the Taranoki and Wanganui Unions, which showed satisfactory credit balances, were read and adopted. Mrs. Taylor emphasised the necessity for paying the travelling expenses of union officers, who were hampered in their work by lack of funds. She suggested the formation of a campaign fund.