W.C.T.U.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14132, 11 February 1910, Page 3

W.C.T.U.

ANNUAL CONVENTION. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Feb. 10. The delegates to the twenty-fifth annual convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union started business to-day under the presidency ' of Mrs. Cole, of Christchurch. Among' the numerous greetings received was one from the Countess of Carlisle (world’s president). ' Correspondence was read from the Foreign Office, London, and R. S. Moiklcjohn, secretary to the King. The president read a comprehensive address, noting a number of interesting happenings which had. taken place in different parts of the world since the last convention. <Thc corresponding secretary's report showed the adult membership of the dominion to bo' 2555 women, 251 of these being Maoris. There are 438 on the cradle roll and 432 children enrolled in the Bands of Hope: The Hamilton branch hires a room which is lent to young men for use at their athletic club meetings. Ngaorc sends literature to the bush camps. Three unions own and support Sailors’ Rests, and a fourth is in progress, while a number of country unions make comfort bags for the sailors. Wellington lias a girls’ institute and Invercargill carries on a home for friendless girls, to which has been added a maternity ward. Invercargill also presented a seat to the town. Other unions carry on tents at the local A. and P. shows, maintain rest rooms for women, have secured temperance teaching in schools, and carried out a number of plans for the benefit of humanity. Letters of greeting were directed to be sent to the White Ribboners. Resolutions wore passed expressing appreciation of the work of the Karitnr.c Homo, and of the action of the Otago University in founding a chair of domestic science. Several departmental reports were read, and Mrs. Papaknra took her seat, representing the Native branch at Colac Bay.