THE W.C.T.U.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 69, 16 March 1912, Page 7

THE W.C.T.U.

PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. tPer Press Association.) Dunedin, March 14. TJie business of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was commenced tin's morning, when the president (Mrs Cole, of Christchurch) delivered her address. Mrs Colo congratulated Dunedin on being the city with the least crime in New Zealand, and suggested it was the decreasing facilities for drink that explained the decreased crime. She spoke of the changed political situation, and declared the opposition of the union to gambling and the totalizator. She strongly urged all “White Ribhoners” to make every effort to get scientific temperance instruction given to all children, and suggested that prizes be given for essays on the effects of alcohol on the human body, and lectures on this subject. The president also expressed her, entire sympathy with the Teachers’ Association in its desire to get. scientific instruction in the sex-physi-ology taught to school-children. She also urged the training of all girls in domestic economy. She congratulated the union on the magnificent majority cast at the last poll for National Prohibition, and regretted that the three-fifths majority had robbed the temperance party of the logical issue of the vote. She desired the convention to speak out strongly on tho question of military training and see that, sufficient power was not given to the military authorities to inerfere with liberty of conscience and national liberty. ■ She referred to the slur' which She alleged Mr Asquith Jiad cast, on .the of the‘[Empire which had already .enfranchised women and expressed her gratitude that all the Liberal Cabinet were not in accord with its head. ' She spoke of tho tactics of tho suffragettes at Home and recalled the fact that men had resorted and' not in the past to She congratulated California on gaining women’s suffrage, and spoke of the part tho W.C.T.U. took in the fight, and rejoiced with her “White Ribbon” sisters in Maine .that that veteran prohibition State still kept the flag flying. Mrs Cole paid a tribute to tho memory of the late T. E. Taylor, who was an earnest supporter of every effort for the uplifting of humanity' She voiced the pleasure of the convention at the election of Mrs A. R. Atkinson, a_ vice-president, as a member of the Wellington Suburbs Licensing Committee. It was decided to send a telegram to Mrs Atkinson congratulating her on her election as a member of the Wellington Suburbs Licensing Committee. The corresponding secretary’s report was read and was most encouraging. This year thirty new unions were organised and six unions closed. The increase of membership was 955. The membership now stood at 3623. Tho organiser’s report showed a splendid record of work done, and flip treasurer’s report Showed a credit balance this year of £BS T9s lOd. Receipts wore £224 15s lOd and expenditure £l3B IGs. Reportsjif departments were received.