W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19582, 11 September 1925, Page 5

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

OTA(JO DISTRICT CONI'ERENCE. The Otago District Convention of tbo. Women’s Christian Temperance Lmon "as opened in til o Presbyterian bundav School Hall, Balclutha, at 10 a.m. on Inesday, 20 delegates being present. Mrs Cations (PJ evident Balclutha branch) welcomed the delegates, and expressed the hope that the convention would be a time of instruction and uplift to each one present. . , Mrs Hiett {district president) extended a welcome to three new unions— viz., Roxburgh, Dunedin Y’s, and Balclutha Y s. The following resolutions were earned : “That this convention of the Ulago district W.C.T.U. heartily approves of the proposal to give illegitimate children the protection of the Child Welfare Bill, and respectfully asks that, where possible, the father’s name be given as well as the mother’s ; and also requests that the Depu ySuporintondent of the Child Welfare Departments to bo appointed under section 27 of part IV of the Child Welfare Act shall be a woman; and that women shall bo appointed to assist magistrates in the children’s courts, such women to have tho powers and status of justices of the peace ; since a very large proportion of the children under the care of onr State are girls. “That the Otago District Vi.C. I.U. Convention urges upon tho Government lue vital necessity of legislation for the appointment of women magistrates, women police, and women jurors; such appointments in other countries have proved to bo in the interests not onlv of women and children, but of tho whole community.’’ . “That in view of the present unsatisfactory censorship of picture films this convention urges the advisability of appointing a woman censor.'’ - “That Parliament l>o approached with the object of securing some censorship of the indecent literature with which the country is now being flooded.’’ “Thai: an amendment ho made in the Marriage Laws raising the age of- competency to marry to 16 years for both girls and boys.” Tho Secretary's animal report showed the work of the unions, particularly among tho young, to he in a very healthy condition. The Treasurer’s balance sheet showed a credit balance of £l7 8s 6d, which was considered very satisfactory. 'Tho election of officers resulted as follows ; —District president, Mrs Hiett (Dunedin); secretary, Mrs Leslie (Maori Hill); treasurer, Mrs Macartney (Dunedin). AFTERNOON SESSION. Greetings wore received from North-East Valley Union, North-East Valley Band of Hope, and Sawyer’s Bay. Tho following resolutions wore carried ; “That owing to tho unpleasant and often disgraceful scenes witnessed by women and children while travelling, this convention does again urge upon the Government the necessity for amending legislation to prohibit Die drinking in or upon railway carriages.'' “'That this convention, whilst appreciating tho stand taken by the lion. R. F. Bollard with regard to the control of art unions, deplores tho pernicious growth of gambling under the name of art unions, and calls upon tho Government to take more drastic measures to check the evil.” “This convention urges upon the Government that necessary legislation to give effect to tho recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into mental defectives and sexual offenders shall ho passed during tho present session of Parliament.” ‘‘That this convention once again urges upon the Government the necessity, in the interests of our girls and young men, of raising the age of consent to 21 years.” “That this convention strongly protests against the proposed regulations of V.D., believing them to he a backward stop, anil urges that more free clinics he established throughout the country.” “That tho married mother should have equal rights with (he father in the gunrddianship of their children.’’ A paper written by Miss ’Webb, of Dunedin, on “Why Christian Women Should Vote” was read and listened to with interest. LIQUOR PROBLEM. Mrs Hiett addressed the meeting on the subject of the liquor problem, which, she stated, was one that must be solved. She urged her hearers to do their utmost to win votes, and to put “dry” men into Parliament. Mrs Don endorsed this view, and made a passionate appeal to members to put all other questions aside and to work to put those who supported prohibition into Parliament and to carry prohibition at the poll. The following resolution was then carried:—“That this convention urges all members of the W.C.T.IT. to vote, irrespective of party, for members who will see that the prohibition law is strongly' cu forced.” A motion of sympathy with Dr Mary Harris Armour, of America, in the death of her late husband was passed. During the afternoon solos were rendered by Revs. Alexander and Waymouth. Votes of thanks wore passed to the local union for their hospitality in connection with the delegates, to the various hostesses, to tho managers of (die Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army for (he use of their buildings, to Airs Leech (Dominion secretary of the League of Nations’ Union) for her interest and address, and to the soloists. The concluding session was held in the, S.A. Hall on Tuesday night, when there was a good, attendance of the public, and Airs Rachel Don (Dominion president of the W.C.T.U.) gave an interesting account of her experiences of prohibition in America, where she claimed it had been a striking success. She appealed to New Zealanders to vote the liquor out. A first-class musical programme was interspersed, and the meeting proved highly successful. On Wednesday morning the delegates returned to their homes.