WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6863, 19 March 1929, Page 11

WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

ANNUAL CONVENTION. The forty-fourth annual Dominion Convention of the W.C.T.U. was opened in Wellington on Wednesday, March 13, when a public reception was accorded tho Dominion officers and visiting delegates in the Town Hall. The chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor, Mr. Troup, and with him on the platform, in addition to the Dominion officers, were the Hon. Mr. Stallworthy, M.P. (Minister of Health) and Mrs. Stallworthy. The Mayor, in extending a very hearty welcome to the visitors, referred to tho great amount of aggressive work accomplished by tho W.C.T.U. in the past, and spoke of the influence exerted over his own life in youth by women of this organisation. His special message to the delegates was —“-According to your faith, be it dono unto you—.” Mr. Stallworthy, in a few words of welcome, spoke of the increasing membership and influence of the W.C.T.U. with succeeding years, till it resembled “a golden girdle encircling tho world.” He spoke regretfully of the fact that tho drinking of intoxicants and smoking were so prevalent among tho young women of our times, saying that if our women fell the men would fall with them. Mr. Edmunds, on behalf of tho “Alliance,” advised convention not to spend much time on considering tho past, but to concentrate on the work of the future. Some people had suggested the fight against the liquor traffic was past. “This,” he said, “is certainly not true. The women of New Zealand will not cease their efforts while their- offspring are going under through the.drink.” , Miss Kirk, Wellington district president, in voicing her welcome, said: “If only wo keep tho vision, of a clean New Zealand before us, wo can sweep tho liquor from our land, and we will do it.” Mrs. T. E. Taylor, Dominion president, on rising to speak, was greeted by enthusiastic applause. In a few wellchosen words, he spoke of the necessity of whole-hearted devotion and untiring energy on the part of the women of New Zealand and then the high and noble ideals of the organisation would be / .realised. Delegates numbering 115 attended Thursdays '.-Session, when it was announced that a Union . had recently been formed at Niue Island consisting of 635 members, to whom it was decided to send, a message of congratulation, on this very line achievement. The Dominion W.C.T.U. now consists of about 7434 financial members. Seventeen -adult and 11 Young People’s Unions have been formed daring the year. Mrs. T. E. Taylor, in her presidential address, spoke of the power of women’s influence and the great increase in the number :of high and influential positions now held by women of many nations. . ’-‘We in New Zealand must look forward with renewed courage. Our former leaders -have gone to their rest with trust and hope in their hearts and words of faith on their lips. Shall we have less trust and faith than they, m the ultimate victory of God’s power ?’ ’ - At Friday’s session badges were presented to those Unions who had gained new members during the year. South Canterbury headed tho list with 105, Ashburton Y. branch second with 68, and Wanganui Central third with 37.