WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE CONVENTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23002, 3 October 1936, Page 25

WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE CONVENTION

The annual Otago District Convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held on Thursday at Lawrence, and was attended by 30 delegates and many visitors representing 12 branches. The president (Mrs H. D. Bedford) occupied the chair. Mrs M’Kinley (president of the Lawrence branch) and the Rev. Mr Bridges welcomed the delegates and friends. The branch reports showed progress in all departments, and revealed the fact that the W.C.T.U. was keenly alive to its responsibilities in the matter of combating social evils. The treasurer’s report showed a credit balance. The president’s address, the theme of which was “ The Conflict of Christ With Christianity,” was provocative of serious thought on the part of those present. A paper dealing with the necessity of united effort in obtaining peace among the nations, written by Mrs T. E. Taylor, of Christchurch, was presented to the convention for discussion. Mrs Taylor suggested that we are living to-day in one of the most momentous periods of history. Upheaval and change had thrown the world completely out of balance, as the word was understood 20 years ago. That our responsibility marched with this change was beyond dispute, and could not be lightly thrown aside, no matter how much we might wish to do so. Resolutions relating to the following were passed:—(l) Stricter supervision regarding liquor in dance halls. (2) Enforcement of law relative to sale of liquor after hours (3) Protest against any alteration of the existing law relative to transference of redundant licences to other districts. (4) Urging the Government to maintain the integrity of the compact made in 1884 relative to the prohibition of the sale of liquor in the King Country. (5) Urging the appointment of women police. (6) Requesting the Minister of Education to consider the question of including in the school journal lessons in scientific temperance. A further resolution to which signatures were to be appended was as follows:—” That in view of the scientific evidence now available as to the effect of alcohol on motoring and road safety, this conference of the W.C.T.U. delegates of the Otago district emphatically protests against the demand now being made for more liquor licences on tourist routes and for house licences.” Mrs Hiett (Dominion president of the W.C.T.U.) briefly addressed the convention on the task for the future. The women’s chief objective should be the winning of votes for the next election. The election of officers resulted as follows; —President, Mrs H. D. Bedford; vice-president, Mrs Garden; secretary, Miss Gray: treasurer. Mrs Sanders. A letter was forwarded to Mr R. Semple expressing appreciation of legislation already passed in the matter of intoxicated motorists. Votes of thanks were passed to the Lawrence Union for its hospitality. A short devotional service concluded a profitable conference.