PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13321, 5 March 1914, Page 8

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION. I The following address was delivered to-day hi the acting-President of '"the W.C.T.U., Mrs Don, of Dunedin (some of the subjects dealt with being given elsewhere m. this issue under special \ headings) -. — > Bear Comrades,— l believe on occasions such as these it is customary tp close the ivMrcss with reference to our departed frkv.ds, but as we meet at the 29th •j avcuiion with such deep sorrow, been use of the death of our late president—Mrs Cole— l am breaking the rule n'ncL beginning with the thoughts that All overy heart, the passing of that great Soul who led our forces during seven long years. Those of you who had the privilege of attending the last convention, and saw m spite of her frailty how cheerfully and bravely she accomplished her work, will remember how big was Jl ie hope that she would continue to lead our forces to ultimate victory, but it Was not to be! Her work for the session was barely finished, the signing of the conventions letter on the Bible m Schools 'question saw her last action m our cause, and soon after the pen was laid-, down the call came for, higher service, and we are wondering .how. shall we .continue without her. Compared with other presidents, her term of office was a short one, •but under her guidance our union has greatly strengthened and multiplied. As a wife and mother she was all that woman could be, and all her public duties never interfered with her charm as mistress of the home. As a Christian she carried the spirit --of- Christ. into all her work— She was always kind, always gentle, and always tender-r-.no one ever saw her angry, or heard her speak vindictively. As a leader, she had a noble record, she kept herself, , in touch with every great movement in-. -.different,, .pairs of the world . that are making for the advancement of truth and righteousness, and with the work of all our many departments. her and her. pen have ever been used for the same lofty and noble purpose. She lived m the loye of all who knew her because of the unselfishness with which she laid herself out to ease the. burden of life to those that were m distils. Truly a great powerful leader has gone from us, an irreparable, gap made m our ranks. . For her Piety and her patriotism, her faith and her ' fortitude, her, sympathy, and her gentleness, her genius as" an organiser, her attention to small details, -her humility and her dignity, her-.love . for; the pute',. and loyalty to our, cause, 'we shall not look upon hei* like , a-g^in- „Her v husband, and two daughters who survive her; her many relatives, and especially the. Christchurch Union, with whom she labored so long, have our profound sympathy and most earnest prayers. It. is with deep regret we ; chroniple the. sudden home-going during 'the year- of Mr Bernard Nicholl. late, organiser for the W.T.R.C. m Christchurch.; The announcement of his death has taken ; numbers by the most painful surprise, * so sudden and unexpected it seemed tp be. He was a giant m strength, his zeal, consumed him, his heart was m his work, and just when we. needed him most he was struck down,. But.'.we know nothing happens by chance and God never makes mistakes, and we trust others may volunteer to step into the breach- and carry on the work he loved so well. -. The widow and children who survive him .have, I am sure, our sympathy and our prayer. East Oxford has lost two members during the year. Mrs Ciderman,- one- of the first to join the union m that district, passed suddenly, away: m October last. Because of failing health she had not been able to take any active part m the work, but she helped the, cause by -her generous giving and prayerful sympathy. Mrs Couch, wife of the\ Methodist Home Missionary, concentrated her efforts on the Cradle Roll Department, and • did what "she could through growing weakness... Both these departed sisters were earnest Christians, and their home-going-is a heavy loss to , the .Tjnion. ... . On the 9th January "Invercargill lost one of its oldest members, when .Mrs. Bath was called to higher service. 'She was a strenuous worker m the early (Jays of the No-license campaign, and always" .. taiiied her interest, m jthe. temperance (jucsiion. Her last illness was long and marked by intense suffering,, when she exhibited not only resignation; ' but won-(.L-rful cheerfulness and unwavering faith. T'ven during that trying time she thought u£ others rather than herself, and truly glorified God m the lire. The last ver*e she- repeated summed up her chief de- * oire — Give me a faithful heart, likeness to Thee, - '' 'j'Jiat each, departing day henceforth may see, some work of love begun, some, deed , 0? kindness done, ..-!<■* ' . Seme sinner sought and won, something for Thee. Death made .a big gap m the ranks of "the Christchurch Union during the past year. They arc still keenly suffering, from the loss of Mrs Cole, who always proved a tower of strength and source of inspiration to her comrades m Canterbury. Mrs I, Smith**? of Papanui, passed away at the age of. 85., She was one of their oldest? memberst and took a great interest m the work up to the last, .actually attending meetings within 'two years of her A death- Most assuredly, her works . d,p follow her, for her children and are among our best ahd most faithful workers. OnO grand-child (Mrs Murray) has just been elected president of the Opotiki Union. ' Surely we might pray that our lives may be as productive of good works as was the life of this veteran white ribbo_er. Mrs Arlow was another member called away. She was an Indomitable temperance worker and enthusiast, who. always had.au intense hatred of the liquor traific. Mrs Byron and, Mrs Everest, who because , of -\ ■ delicate health c<n:).i only be associate;- members,' but wh<..-;-.<: iinancial help and sympathy m our cause were always valued, haye also fallen* asleep. Timaru has also lost one of their oldest members.- m the person of Mrs Bourne; not a very active member, especially during the last few years, but ,she did what she could. „'*. :.-. J*-.-.':;,. •; ... '■.■■•-■' Mrs Craig, who was a ifaithfui and devoted worker m the .Auckland Union for many . years, V-. passed >,s way. at-Vthe beginning of this year. SheW-as one of the early pioneers who never wearied of well-doing, gave liberally, and was always ready to help m any department of work. Her exemplary life and sweet influence will be long remembered by those who were her comrades m the cause of a great ,reform. Ashburton mourns" the loss of Miss Hannafbrd, who was .a member with them for close on 30 years. Before Nolicense was carried she toiled and worked to the limit of her strength,' and when . success, crowned their efforts, no one rejoiced more * than • our departed comrade-'' She has gone to her sure reward, put her going is an unspeakable loss to flier' sisters m the., Union; Grey mouth is. berett of .',Mrsi Rose and Mrs Axelson. The former has been connected with the .Union' for the past 20 years, and always took a keen and warm Interest m the work. From ..a,, human standpoint, such a devoted Christian, noted for her liberality and piqus virtues, and who exhibited*. such,;. patience and cheerfulness through her. long, trying illness, cannot be spared from our ranks; yet God took her, and, wo acknow, ledge He kno.weth best. Mrs Axelson was an active member prior to her marriage, when more pressing duties claimed her -attention. She was a soldier m the Salvation Army, and was not only ready to live, but also ready to die, and met her summons quite cheerfully. Wo trust that someone may he led. to step into tho sad breach made by the loss of these two Listers of the Greymout-h Union. All these "adorned the doctrine of Christ," a. id as workers and comrades we cannot '-■■■it deplore their passing, although our deep. loss m their eternal gain., Turning from the record, of these proriijtions to high service, "'wto notice that i 'pcful' signs meet the reformer ..in many ■ ii reef ions. -'„- ../ ; v-v-- . Opium traffic: It is cheering" indeed to report that m June last the British Parliament decided that this baneful traffic was to cease forthwith.. .The complicity of England m the traffic which has wrought such deadly hayoc amongst the ;■■ Uions of China has proved a tremendous obstacle to all Missionary efforts, •Hid none will welcome the. news of the cessation • of the trade with keener interest than the heralds pf. the .Cross. In reporting the announcement, the Daily News said: "So momentous, a .declaration, following as it does the appeal of China for the. prayers of the British people, is without parallel m our national history since the abolition of the slave trade. It is a triumph of ideals which will stir the .world." But how glorious it iWOuld have been if, the Imperial Government had bought and destoryed the 2o;ooo chests v that have accumulated m the treaty ports, and must be absorbed by a nation that hates the drug, and is determined to expel it. To destroy it would have been a practical proof to the world of the sincerity of the nations * regret for the injury .it has inflicted upon the -Chinese people through a long series pf

years. But m any case it is important and joyful news that the traffic is now to cease. | Girls' hostel: We are delighted to congratulate Christchurch on • the achievement of establishing a girls' training hostel, or as the .Wellington Post named it, a "Wife-making hostel." In Dunedin there is a chair of domestic science where pupils receive theoretical instruction, but Christchurch has done still better m providing a hostel where the girls will receive practical training. Girls m residence at the hostel will learn not merely domestic hygiene and the art of cooking, but the whole routine of a well-ordered homo from getting-up time until the end of the working day. Other students may take a shorter course preparatory to marriage, or taking some domestic position. At the opening ceremony m April, the Minister of Education said '"it was obviously impossible, for financial reasons, to at once establish similar hostels m other centres, but those responsible fo*r primary and other secondary education fully recognised that there was room for such institutions, and hoped with the aid of voluntauy contributions and a Government subsidy that m the near future such hostels would be established m all our large cities." The sooner the better, for though we approve of the higher education of women and look for them to enter every open door, we know there J:;, a danger that m these larger openings ior our sex, the most important of all. that of managing the home and training the child, may be crowded out. Therefore, it is pleasing to know there is a likelihood of provision being made for the establishment of hostels throughout the Dominion. And I hope that the day is coming when the girls m our State schools, will havo larger opportunities for studying domestic science ahd the problems of life. We hear of an already overcrowded curriculum and the dangers of cramming, but could not such subjects as mathematics and some of the sciences be dropped for the mpre. important m a girl's education, namely, domesticity, including the care of children and the value and spending of money? The State makes it compulsory that our boys should be trained to defend their countryShould not the State make it compulsory .that our girls should build up the country by being trained to make capable mothers and competent housekeepers? Food reform: I was greatly impressed by a lecture given m Dunedin by Mrs Stables, president of the Food Jteforni Society m Dunedin. Among other things she said, "A vegetarian has never been known to develop a taste for, alcohol." As we believe that is better than cure, and that it is easier to deal with causes than results, surely it would be wise if we paid more attention to the important matter of food -reform. ' It- -'is -quite six years ago since I read a descriptive account of the treatment of inebriates by Mrs General Booth, m which she said that when all other remedies had failed, quite hopeless victims m their homes had been restored by strictly fruit diet, and I notice .that; at the recent Brooklyn convention a pamphlet was issued, from which I quote, that Mrs Bramwell Booth further states: "That the physical recovery of all .their patients has been very much quickened and much more permanent since •.meat has . been abolished from the diet, and the percentage of good results has been higher than ever before realised." Dr.» J. IT. Kellogg, speaking from the experience gained by the treatment at Battle Creek sanatorium (from where Dr. Waddel has just returned) hundreds of persons addicted to the use of alcohol, states that they • almost invariably find that a properly .selected non-flesh dietary "completely abolishes the appetite for alcohol." Dr. James C. Jackson, senior physician of an asylum for inebriates at Dansville, New York, holds the same opinion, after having- under his care not less than a hundred patients who, were habitual drunkards. , I could give you many similar testimonials, but will content myself by only mentioning the manifesto signed by over a hundred medical and scientific men stating "that the more general use of nuts, grain, fruit and vegetables would promote the health of all classes of society, and' added that insufficient and improper food tends to produce a craving for drink." If, as Dr. Ha'ig says, "that as food is the source of, life, , it influences all problems of life," then wbuld it not be wise to urge an increased consumption pf .fruit and Yege-. tables, grain and pulse amongst pur children, and educate the parents : at jour mothers' and hornet meetings: toVthe Importance of these foods? - ' < '-'-_'■■ WORLD'S PROGRESS. " After referring to the great progress made throughout the world 'm the W.C.T.U. work, the President proceeded: New South Wales has quite recently fought a big campaign and carried the reduction m many electorates, all going to prove that the day is coming when the trade will bo 'completely compressed And annihilated. The cause of tho recent industrial upheaval m New Zealand does not at this moment concern us, but surely it indicated that , Labor realises the evils of the traffic when the strike committee m Auckland and Wellington urged the closing of the hotels m the interest of law and order, a course that was followed by splendid results. In our own land the temperance party has concentrated on the democratic vote campaign. The bare majority has been our rallying cry, and we were grievously disappointed that the Government during the last session did' not consider the proposed Bill which is to reduce the monstrous three-fifths majority, and hope they will take steps tp have it passed into law at the earliest possible moment. At bur last pqj.l the Christian World sent a message saying, "flit this traffic hard for the sake of other lands— the world, is looking on"; and wo responded by the magnificent majority vote of 54,282, and yet failed to carry the measure. Surely you . must have noticed the long list of aged .workers who have given the best years of their life m the fight against •the liquor traffic. They should have seen the reward of their efforts before they died, for tho fight was won, and won gloriously, by a majority, of 54,282, only the monstrous three-fifths handicap prevented us from taking the victory. We have proved that from the medical, social, political, economic and religious standpoint the traffic is harmful and degrading, that alcohol, undermines the brainand paralyses the win of man, planting m him and his posterity the seeds of moral degeneracy, the seeds of disease, the seeds of poverty, the seeds of crime, and as it imperils the individual, the family and the nation, it must bo destroyed—there Is no other remedy. State control, legislation regulation, will not suffice; we aim at nothing less than No*, license for tho Dominion. ' To this end we are organised, and we. arc pledged as a Union to the ultimate suppression of the traffic. Some one has said that "if you want something you should pray for it as if you had no hope on earth, and work for it as if you expected no help from Heaven." .This is the spirit we must put into pur work this year, and begin In this convention this very week. However important every other reform may be, wo must either let it rest or use it as a lever to uphold our great campaign. Look back and see how much there has been won; look around and see how much there is to win. . We' must close up and close m, fill every gap m the ranks and then "move to the fore." You remember the great war m America, the war about slavery. Hundreds of thousands of men fell m the struggle, .and they seemed no nearer the end. Then Abraham Lincoln put forth a proclamation and called for more volunteers to take the place of those who had already fallen, and you will, remember how the answer came m thewords of a song — We are coming Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more, From Mississippi's winding stream and from New England's shore: You have called us, and we're coming by Richmond's bloody tide, For freedom's cause to lay us down our brothers' bones beside. Six hundred thousand loyal men and true- have gone before; We are coming, Father Abraham, throe hundred thousand more. We have been repulsed, but we must buckle on our armor and fight again; we must carry out our slogan and "see; this thing, through"; we must not, dare, not, think of failure, we must think ot success, eat success, go to sleep dreaming of success,, live success, act success, until our influence is continually breathing out "victory." Then we must pray— if you only knew it that is the mightiest weapon— prayer; and every member, from the weakest shut-in one to the standardbearqr m tho very front, can pray. And then we must work, work as I said before, as though we had no help on earth or m Heaven, work as though upon our individual , effort depended the whole issue. Put your trust m the living God and m Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salvation, and pray, work, act, fight m His name; for upon your faith, your willingness to go forward, your fixed endurance, swings the issue of the greatest battle for freedom ever waged. Nolicense m «he Dominion will materially help the movement m Australia and the States, and indeed every land that is striving to free itself from the traffic In intoxicating liquors. So my last word to you is, to be true to yourselves, be true to your cause, be true to your conscience, be. true to your country; and, like

those 300,000 men that volunteered, and came, and bled, and died, and wonl So fight to win; use every power that is your's for the overthrow of this gigantic system of national degradation and demoralisation, whose fall will gladden the heart; of every one; who "is* a friend of freedom, humanity, and Justice.