TEMPERANCE WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21899, 7 September 1934, Page 3

TEMPERANCE WORK

AUCKLAND CONVENTION UNION'S ACTIVE YEAR The prevention of war was referred to yesterday by Mrs. Hugh Kasper, president of the Auckland branch of the Women's Christian Temperance "ITnion, in her presidential address at the opening of the 11th annual Auckland district convention. The gathering was held in the Y.W.C.A. Hall. Mrs. Kasper said all kinds of pleas were put forward to excuse the building of armaments, and the world was at the mercy of the armament makers upon whose continued existence depended the keeping of nations at war. She strongly condemned the fact that the authorities still taught young boys about the "glory of battlo" and trained them in the use of firearms. The tendency of modern life to desecrate Sunday was also dealt with, the speaker deploring the fact that in near by boroughs Sunday sport had been allowed. She congratulated those members of the Auckland City Council who would not permit the introduction of Sunday tennis. Prior to the president's address, a service was held in memory of those members who had passed away during the year. While a hymn was sung white flowers, were placed on a memorial by representatives of each branch who had lost members.

In spite of economic depression and trying times, the work of the union had not only held its own but had made considerable progress, stated the annual report. New unions had been formed at Papakura, Mount Roskill and Sylvan Avenue, this bringing the number of unions in the Auckland district up to 30 with a total membership of 644, an increase of 44 members on the previous year. The steady progressive interest and growing membership of the "Y'' branches was a source of much encouragement. Through the efforts of the organiser, Miss C. McLay, the "Y" branches had received a tremendous impetus, resulting iu the upbuilding of existing ones and the organising of four new ones at Papatoetoe, Takapuna, Balmoral, and Kurahuna. The total membership had increased by at least 100 newly-pledged members. The time had been considered opportune for the formation of a district. "Y" executive to deal with district interests and this had met monthly with an average of 15 representatives attending. The newly-formed Kurahuna Maori branch was in the Onehunga Methodist Maori Girls' School, the girls being very interested in the temperance studies. Most of them had left at the end of last year to return to their country homes and new girls had come to the school. The report of the "Y" branches concluded with an urgent appeal for more superintendents. The report and balance-sheet, read by the treasurer, disclosed a slightly improved condition in the union's finances. A brief address on the Dominion finances was given by Mrs. T. E. Taylor, Dominion president of the organisation. A report on the work of the Maori branches was given by Mrs. JR.. Bennett. A trophy for the branch which is considered to have done the best work during the year ras won by the Devonport branch, the delegate Present receiving the trophy from Mrs, '. E. Taylor.