W.C.T.U.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 361, 9 April 1912, Page 5

W.C.T.U.

The twenty, seventh annua, 1 convention of the W.C.T.U., held m Dunedin, which terminated on March 21st, has rbeen rica m progress and encouraging influence.

The work of the Ur-ian has been going forward rapidly for a long time. The numbsr of Unions has increaaed during the year by 74, making a total of 155, including Maori Unions. The membership has grown from 2568 to 3623, an increase of 955 during the year— a force to bo reckoned with, and those folk who think that these women are doing the work as a sort of a hobby are much mistaken. The spirit of, the movement is not of the afternoon tea calibre. The leaders are women who are very devoted, and very much m earnest, and hope to guide the youth of tha Dominion to the shining hill of true national progress as represented by a love of honour, discipline and well-doing. The objects of ue Union are not confined to the abolition vi the drink evil. They know there are even more subtle dangers that need nos be named to emphasise their destructivencss, and it is against these that the Unions ictond to wage war. Tne battlefield is m the home, m tbe workshops, m the legijlative chambers of the Dominion. Politicians will be urged to legislat- for the uplifting of Humanity, and lor a more considerate treatment of those who have fallen by the way. The reports that were presented at the convention showed that splendid progress had been made m all departments, and particularly amongst the Maoris. 44 new Unions having been organised north of Auckland, with a membership of GOO. At no tioaa m tho history of the Union has the interest m tha work been so warm aud widespread as it has been uuring the past year. While every effort has been made to advanca the cause of temperance, the Union has striven tn many other directions, particularly to improve the lot of woman and children.

It is uua tbat the W.C.T.U. may be asking for more than they are l.kely to get for along time, but that only increases their ardour to press on with their claim- and work. To quote trom Mrs Cole, the New Zealand' President's address : •• I think we may claim that to-day we exert an influence m this country geater than that exercised by any other body of women, and this has been brought about by steady work, enthusiasm, faith and hope, with a belief m the Divine power of Christianity to uplift and to glorify the poorest and most unbaautiful of lives. But this belief must find express-on m practical work ®n behalf of distressed and downtrodden humanity. Wa rejoice because s. many mothers art awakening to the fact that tov.il abstinence is the only way to ensure that their children shall develop on tne best lines, wichout the deadweight of a taste for alcohol dragging down their noblest instinc s, and retaiding their highest development. While as an organisation we do not take part m political life, it is none the less true that.to gain many reforms we must make ourselves felt m tbe political arena. Num. beringaswado 3500 members, each representing a vote, our influence has already been brought to bear, not without results, m supporting Acts beneficial to the people of this Don.inion, especially those affecting the lives of women and children. In civic life women's power is being recognised, and we hope to see m the future women not only on our school committees and hospital boards, but on our city councils and education boards. Women, as well as men, have to live m cities, and be governed by muhicipul laws, and there is no reason why women should not take part m municipal legislation und administration. Several questions need to be considered by us just now, such as the co-guarJiauship of children, women on juries, equal pay for equal work, and the economic quality of married women. Many will testify to the social wovk carried on by the Unions' more especially for their improvement of the home, and the education of young mothers : our cradle roll brings us into close tou.h with these. The young women m our Unions are being educated on progressive lines, and the care of children, hygiene, and domestic science have careful attention. Our members care for the sick, seek to aid prisoners, and urge the reform of our prison system, homes for friendless girls, rest rooms for women, aud the moral education of the youug are some of the many activities m which our Unions are engaged. There is still much to be done m the South Island, especially so that a network of Unions may be spread over the length and breadth of our land. Every district union worthy the name should have live auxiliaries under its care, influencing public opinion, and welding together scattered forces of thinking women into a compact body, whose power may be felfc m many directions. Ifc is most important that our children and young people should be established m our prin* ciples before they leave us to come into contact with those who are our opponents. In this work every mother should take a part, and every mother should be a White Ribboner."