WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPER, ANCE UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 82

WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPER, ANCE UNION.

ANNUAL DISTRICT CONVENTION. I.l' e Womens Christian Temperance Union held its annual district convention yesterday in the Alosgiel Presbyterian Church haH. J here was a large attends ance at all sessions. Airs Hiett, district president, occupied the chair. Airs Bedford welcomed the visiting delegates, of whom there were 40 repre--senting unions from all parts of Otago. ’ ' After the roll call correspondence was received from the Dominion Executive making a plea for the White Ribbon. Aliss Grey, district secretary, read the annual report, which gave a synopsis of the work done b.v all the unions. The report showed an increase in member, Sfa s‘ — A T f T tcr a discussion it was adopted. Mrs Hutton, district treasurer, read her report, which was adopted. Airs Don gave a very interesting sketch of the triennial World Conference, held in Lausanne, quoting from the Union oignal, Illinois, where Australia and NewZealand were well represented. The noon-tide hour of prayer was observed, after which the following resolutions were passed: — That a system of invalid pensions and pensions for tubercular cases should be established. Ihat this convention is of opinion that a widow who receives the widows’ pension snould get the pension for each child of suitable age, irrespective of the number in the family. That a substantial increase should be allowed on the amount which a widow receiving the widows’ pensions is permitted arn without reduction of her pension. That the convention is of the opinion that a woman who is legally separated her husband, and who has the custody of the children, should be entitled to recejve the family endowment. That this convention welcomes the ramily Allowance Act, especially as it gives official recognition of the fact that the mother renders a valuable service to the State, and it urges that the amount payable for each eligible child be increased to five shillings. That the Alinister of Public Health should be urged to give favourable consideration to the proposal that in every instance where a woman dies within a lorthnight of childbirth a magisterial inquiry should be held. That this convention urges as a matter decency and common kindness that affiliation cases and cases involving domestic relations should be dealt with in a eo nu t fr ° m wl »ch the public is excluded. That in accordance with the modern practice of the majority of civilised nations the age of marriage should be raised for both sexes. That this convention reaffirms the demand for women police and women on juries That this convetnion reaffirms the quest to the Government by previous conventions that a woman censor of picture films should be appointed to act with the present censor. That this convention is of opinion that mental hospitals should be placed under the control of public boards of management. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—Pre-’’ sident, Airs Peart (North-East Valiev) vice-president. Airs Bedford (Taieri) • secretary, Aliss Grey (North-East Valley); treasurer, Airs Hutton (Dunedin). Airs Hiett, in vacating the presidential chair, made appreciative reference to'the pioneer Otago women workers. Airs Anstice paid a tribute of thanks to Airs Hiett for her faithful years of service as president of the Otago district. Aliss Bradshaw, one of the Dominion organisers, addressed the convention on the subject of service. The thanks of the convention are due ’ to the Alosgiel ladies for their warm reception, and to Airs Bedford, president of the Alosgiel Union, who met the delegates on their arrival. During the conference songs were sung by Alesdames Dodds and APCabe and Alisses Bradshaw and Al‘Leodl In the evening addresses were given by Air W. F. Finlayson and the Rev. A. C. Watson.