W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13563, 9 April 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

GRKYMOUTH, March 20. Tlie twenty-first annual eonvontion of the W.C.T.I", opwfld witli a prayer mosti»(J condisctcd by the rpresiii&nt. The roll bsing called, tho following took their seats: President, Mrs A. It. Atkinson (Wellinpton); corresponding secretary, Miss Powell IDuncdin): recording eoerclary, M:?s Moody-Bell (Dunedin); Ireasiircr, Mrs 11. Hill fXani'-r); and Airs Oldham (Napier), Mrs J. .Smith (Wa.nga.nui). Mrs Upton (Now Plymouth). Mrs Griffon llMoiihcirr,), Mrs Hughes (Auckland). Mr« Webb (Ormniulvillc), Mrs Allen (OrmqmlvilM. Mrs (laskin (Greymouili), Mrs Hanson (Clrcymoiith), Mifs Maunder (Hawora), Mis .T. Taylor (Wellington). Miss M'Cart.hy (Wairoato), Mrs Harrison (Kaiapoi), Mrs Don (Dun-

edin). Sirs Day (Lyttelton),' Mrs Graliam (Uisborr.e), Mrs Newton (Woodend), ami Mrs Bease (Motapu). ' • March 21. llesolutions wore passed protesting strongly against the employment of barmaids as * practice fraught with evil to young women and those frequenting tbe house. That tlio Premier Im urged to introduce a bill raising ago of; protection for girls to 21 years. That the convention desires (o etitor a strong protest- against the continued delay in the repeal of the 0.1). Aot. That a pormissivo bill be passed providing protection for young perrons by arranging for tlio fining of guardians whoso children .are found loitering on tho streets it liiffiit. without sufficient reason. That this convention views with dismay (ho dangers arising from the isauo of licenses to grocers, and urges the unions to bring pressure to boar upon tbo licensing bench with a view to their abolition.

Resolutions were pa.vcd expressing tbo hope that Christian Governments would resort to arbitration in the settling of their differences, and so avert war. deploring the spirit of militarism sometimes fos. tered in the young, and calling ujion parents to teach th"ir children the nobility o[ adjusting quo-rrols in another way tliAii by force of arms, and affirming tbo desirof the removal of all_ disabilities now imposed upon women in civil or political life. At the afternoon meeting the report of the corresponding secretary, which was read and adopted, showed that the colonial membership totalled 1471. an increase of 141. The ivhitc ribbon flag now waves in 155 different places in the colony. March 22. At to-day's sit tine n lotter was read from Miss Anna Ciordon, of Evanston, T'.S.A., inviting delegates to tho world's \V.C.T.I', meeting at Bosiou in October next. Tho report of tlio treasurer was received and adopted. This showed that during (he year the sum of £]30 16s 8d had pawd through her hands, a balance of £67 Us 2d lemaining for local work. £1131 9s 2d has been raised, a balance of £289 13s remaining., every branch in the colony showing a credit balance, March 24. Superintendents of departments were appointed as . follows:— Evangelistic, Mrs ICirlclaiid llliniediii); home meetings. Mrs Crump (Nelson); purity, Mrs Webb (Ormondville): educational meetings, Mips Powell (Wanganui); Sabbath observance, Miss Minehin (Feilding); work among young people, Mrs Spenee (Auckland); medal contests, Mrs Evans (Napier); scientific temperance instruction, Miss Maunder jllawerfi); hygiene, Mrs Oldham (Napier); influencing tile press. Miss M'Cartliy (Waipistc); mothers' meeting's, .MJis Darling (Kant;iora); Bible in schools. Mrs Dewar (Auckland); narcotics, Miss Webb (Ormondville); work among seamen. Mrs Whithv (Lyttelton) j literature, Mrs Hughes (Auckland): anti-gambling, Mrs M'Alistor (Invercargillj ; legal and parliamentary, Mia Sheppard (Olirislchurdt); uiifermcntcd wipe, Mis Parkinson (Grcymouth). Resolutions were passed expressing thanks to Almighty God for tbo advance of the colonial no-iiconsc vote from 3000 to 15,000; deploring the fact that- so many good nwn and women voted for the continuance of tho drink traffic; urging all branches to take up a pledge-taking crusade among men and women; urging women to set character before politics in tbo ehoioo of candidates for public offices. The report of the legal and parliamentart department, being read and adopted, flio following resolutions were passed Affirming the economic equality of husband and v.ifo and the desirability of tho legal Recognition of the same; urging that scientific temperance instruction be included in tho examinations for teachers' corlificotcs and imido a compulsory class subject in our schools; urging that, all sex distinction* enforced in tbe Factory Act be abolished, ihflfo being prejudicial to tho economic interests of women; that parents should be obliged'to contribute to the support of their illegitimate children, and that failing the ability of tho parents the State should provide for such children; that paternity being" proved these children should, bo registered in the name of the father 'and possess rii equal status with those born in wedlock; ihat- a woman should bo appointed as a public officer to discover the parentage of such children where possible with a view to providing _ for their maintenance; affirming the principle of equal pay for equal work both for men and women.

It wns dccided to accept the invitation of Christeluirch for tho convention to meet there in 1907. The Confereneo elected the. following officers:—President, Mrs Cole, Christchurch; vice-president, Mrs Atkinson, Wellington; corresponding eeeretary, Miss 11. S. Powell, Wanganui; recording secretary. Mi-s Moody Bell, Dunedin; treasurer, Mrs Dohrmann, M.A., Studholme. Hrlirly votes of thanks wero accorded to the retiring president and treasurer. «