W.C.T U.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14110, 18 April 1939, Page 3

W.C.T U.

REPORT ON DOMINION CONVENTION RECEIVED. The meeting of the W.C.T.U. on April 6th was a very interesting one, and was held in the Presbyterian Sunday-school. Following the usual opening items, Mrs Paterson read a beautiful letter from Mary Campbell, a Temperance Missionary worker in India. A Mother of Pearl White Ribbon Bow brooch made by the Indian workers was on view and orders taken for more. The scientific fact read by Mrs Armstrong was from the committee appointed by the British Government to; consider questions relating to the physique of the people and stated their finding that alcoholic stimulants are most deadly agents in producing deterioration. She also brought out most glaring anomalies jn rents and fees in New Zealand. They were these facts : That the biggest hotel pays £4O licence fee—the smallest hotel £4O also._ Every auctioneer pays £4O a year. Every hardworking motor lorry driver pays over £4O. Hotel licence fees were fixed seventy years ago when population was sparse and when there was much less trafficking in alcoholic liquors. It was decided to write to the Wellington Hockey Association complimenting them on their decision that no representative player be asked to train on Sundays. Mrs Wilson presented a lively and interesting report on the recent Dominion Convention in Wellington, some of the points brought out being the following: (1) That no one under 16 years of age may legally sell art union tickets; (2i) that 900 schools have half an hour’s weekly leligious instruction, while 400 have five minutes daily; (3) that important legislation concerning the Bible-in-Schools facilities should be eagerly watched for by interested parents soon; (4) that the W.C.T.U. have been allotted one whole day's programme per month in the hall during the Centennial Exhibition. The Convention passed the following iesolution • “That we. the delegates of this W.C.T.U. Dominion Convention, congratulate the Government in giving more definite recognition to religious instruction in state primary schools in the new Education Bill, and while thanking them for what they have done, earnestly ask them to retain the facilities granted through the Education Boards and School Committees for the voluntary daily religious obA vote of thanks to the hostesses and the pronouncement of the Benediction brought the meeting to a