W.C.T.U.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9742, 6 March 1914, Page 5

W.C.T.U.

SOME SOCIAL PROBLEMS

{Pib Preps Association.)

GISBORNE, March 5. Tho W.C.T.U. Congress opened this morning'. The presidential address was delivered by Mrs Don, of Dunedin, who referred to the growth of m. mbeirship and activity of the organisation, and dealt with many topical subjects. She said the rage for amusements and pleasure showed an increasing tendency, and week-end trip? threatened to become a serious menace to the sanctity of the Lord's Day. Referring to picture shows, she urged that a responsible body be created in Xew Zealand to supervise the films, many of the pictures now shown creating an unwholesome appetite, and leading to wholesale moral decreptitude. The State should make provision for the detention of mental defectives. It was appalling to think that ahnormil girls, who should be under restraint, are mothers of children. In on« case under notice last year a defective was the mother of eight children, now supported by the State. She urged that th« conference continue to endeavour to eradicate the gambling evil.