W.C.T.U.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 146, 12 August 1911, Page 8

W.C.T.U.

PKOVIMCI A L CON \'ENTJON. The annual provincial convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held in the Ngaire Hall on August 9th, and was the largest and most enthusiastic gathering of the sort ever held in Taranaki. Over seventy delegates and guests were present, coming from as far south as Wanganui. The morning session was. opened by Mrs M. T. Phillips, president of the Ngaire Union. The crusade hymn “Give to the winds Thy fears” was sung, and the llGtii Psalm read. Mrs M. T. Phillips then gave a short address of welcome to the delegates, expressing the pleasure felt by the Ngaire Union in entertaining the convention, and bade them welcome most heartily. Beatrice, the little daughter of Mrs Hardy Jones, superintendent of the Cradle Roll department, handed two beautiful bouquets of violets to Mrs Douglas, district president, and Miss Am bury, district secretary, on behalf of the children of the Cradle Roll. Mrs Douglas replied, thanking the little ones for their beautiful and fragrant gift, and then proceeded with her address to the convention. She referred in loyal terms to the Coronation of King George and Queen Mary, and wished them a long and happy reign. She then spoke of the steady, advance the unions had made since last convention both in numbers and influence, and thanked the smaller unions for the way in which they Im.d helped New Plymouth when ,ac Dominion convention was held there in March, expenses being easily met. All unions were busy preparing for the great No-license campaign, and every effort was -being put forth to wipe out the course of drink from our fair land. The women’s crusade work is being pushed on with wonderful success. The convention, standing, passed a resolution of sympathy with Mrs T. E. Taylor on the sad loss of her husband. Mrs Jamison, recording secretary, then read the minutes of the convention hold in Stratford in August, .1910, and called tnw roll, over forty answering to their names. Reports of work were read by the delegates of the .following unions: Wanganui, Waverley, Matapu, HaAvcra, Manaia, Otakeho, Eltham, Ngaire, Stratford, Tariki, Waitara, and New Plymouth. A report on the work of the avomen’s crusade Avas given by Miss Black, secretary, showing the great interest and the amount of Avork being done by the Avomen all over the province, and gi\dng suggestions on’ hoAv to Avork the crusade.

The morning session closed Avith the benediction, and the guests sat doAvn to a most delicious lunch Avhich reflected great credit on the ladies of Ngaire, avlio did the catering themselves.

The afternoon session Avas opened by Adjutant Gray, Salvation Army, Eltham, in prayer. The Rev. J. M. Thomson, Stratford, then gave a short but very helpful address full of practical suggestions.

Mrs Siddolls, Wanganui, read a paper on the best Avay to Avork mothers’ meetings and explained lioav they worked them in Wanganui. Mrs Kennington gave a short sketch of how mothers’ meetings Avore worked in Great Britain.

Miss Taylor, of HaAvera, read a piper on the duties of union secretaries.

Mr Wake, Mayor of Eltham, Avas next called upon, and in a Icav Avellchoscn Avords expressed his pleasure at being present and his admiration of the Avork done by tho women of the Noav Zealand unions. Ho then gave his vloavs on No-licenso as affecting the interests of the people of Noav Zealand.

Miss Grimlcy, the English lecturer, who Avas the principle guest of the day, Avas introduced by Mrs Douglas, and Avas received very Avarmly. She gave an interesting account of her journey out to Noav Zealand in company Avith Miss Anderson Hughes, and of the various meetings held at the ports of call, and an outline of her work in Ncav Zealand. A vote of thanks to the various speakers Avas proposed by Mis M. T. Phillips.

This closed the Avork of the afternoon session. A large number of guests Avere entertained at tea.

Tho evening meeting opened Avith the singing of “All round the World.” Mr Walter Wickham, ailio occupied the chair, introduced Mr Bellringer, of Noav Plymouth, avlio spoke on Nolicense. Ho hoped every effort Avonld he made to save the people from the curse of drink.

The next item Avas a very pretty rro by six little girls. A prettilydraped cradle Avas carried on to the platform. Then the little girls marched on, keeping time to the music. They sang a pretty lullaby, locking tiio cradle the Avhilo. Mrs Dougins explained that the little

f'cnc Avas illustrative of tho Avoids done amongst the mothers in traini ig their babies in temperance principles. The little girls received a very hearty encore. Miss Grimlcy once more addressed the audience, and spoke in a very happy, Avomanly manner on tho evil

effects of alcoliol on home life, and expressed her astonishment tlie people of New .Zealand spent more I ■ r head on liquor than the people of England. The lady made a very pleasing impression on her audience, her sweet and lady like mode of speech being calculated to have a very far-reaching effect, quite eradicating the impression fostered by the public press, that the women suffragettes of Great Britain are notorious characters. M: Liddell then spoke on the same

subjects,, and gave some interesting items regarding No-license districts. bliss McNeisli sang and received an encore. Tho meeting closed with votes of thanks to the chairman and speakers, thus closing the largest meeting held in Ngaire for some considerable time.