W.C.T.U.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11451, 4 September 1912, Page 5

W.C.T.U.

~mh'- DISTRICT CONVENTION.

The-W<C.T.U. District Convention •continued its sitting yesterday aftoruoon. There was a splendid attendance of delegates and members, presided over by Mrs Boxhall (President). There was a question box. Numerous questions were asked, and very satisfactorily answered by the President, assisted by Mrs Ferryman. £» The following resolutions were carried: — (1) The members of this Convention • express their indignation aud sorrow that the majority of members in the House of Representatives refused to grant to a very large majority of the electors of this country any reduction in the iniquitous handicap imposed upon them in licensing matters. We hereby pledge ourselves to vote for the candidates who support a reduction of the three-fifths majority. (2) We, the members of this Con-

vention, strongly protest against any ♦ v legislation increasing the number of the •■kalisator permits or the publication wffthe". totalisator divielends. In view of the fact that tho great evil of gambling amongst..our men, women aud youths is so fostered by tho State licensed beting-machine," we earnestly urge the Government to submit the question of its retention or abolition to a referendum of the people. (3) That a resolution be sent to the annual Convention to be helel at Nelson, asking them to prepare a constitution for the whole of New Zeaaud. It was' decided to let the officers re-, main as they are at present. Mrs Ferryman read the excellent address delivered by Mrs Lilian M. N. Stevens, President of the National American W.C.T.U., which she gave at the

thirty-eighth annual convention in America last year, on the election in *V_Maine. the course of her address, -HVlrs Stevens said that on the liquorsellers' -own computation, 20,000,000 gallon's "of liquor had entered the prohibition territory for.a year in which there were 40,000,00*0 inhabitants, averaging half a gallon per head per year. That a band of "young campaigners for prohibition" had been formed during the consisting of 35,000 of jUiiiie-'s young patriots, and who became a potent factor iv the groat conflict. These young people gave entertainments of special prohibition concerts, also visited other places, held parades, carrying banners, also largely assisting in the distribution of literature. Mrs Stevens also said: "We cannot adequately express our appreciation of the magnificent help rendered

during the campaign by the majority of I the newspapers of the State. They clearly set forth the issue, and gave to a multitude of readers incontrovertible facts and figures relative to the valued •of prohibition, and reliable reports of campaigu activities. We are also greatly indebted to the Associated Press for its notable services and impartial treatment of the election returns. The campaign, though strenuous, was widely •educative. The public conscience had been aroused. Let no one minimise the result of the prohibition victory because the victory is no larger. All thinga considered* it is a marvellous triumph. Thousands voted "Yes" on September lltli because they thought the question ought not to be in the constitution, but they would not vote to repeal State-

W_e prohibition if that were the sißiffht-out proposition. About 25,000 stayed at home, not realising that their votes were needed to save prohibition for Maine. No doubt they were almost to a man opposed to the licensed saloon, for if they had not been they surely would have got to the polls to vote "Yes." All things considered, I do not hesitate to reiterate that the" result of the hard-fought bat tie in Maine is the greatest moral victory of the century "

Mrs Neal also read a very interesting and instructive paper by Mrs Lil, of Ashburton: "Why Women do not Desire Motherhood," which resulted in a very enthusiastic and enjoyable debate. Mrs Neal also read a paper on "Domestic Science," by the Superintendent for Domestic Science, which was much V enjoyed. / Mrs Houhler read an article from the White Ribbon on the financial work of the Unions. A very dainty afternoon tea was provided by a committee of ladies, and was thoroughly appreciated by all present. A PUBLIC MEETING. TUe -W.C.T.U. District Convention closed the sessions with a public meeting in the Methodist. Schoolroom last evening. The hall was well filled with members and friends. Mrs Davenport, in a few words, introduced Mrs-'Boxhall,. and said the Union was fortunate to have had the Convention here, and that it had been a. time of inspiration and blessing to all concerned. Mrs Devonport also apolov gised for the absence of members of the I Maori Union, but owing to nnforseen circumstances they were unable to take

part. Mrs Boxhall then took the chair, and delivered a neat speech, saying how proud she was to be one of such a splendid band of women, which numbered 500,000 members, of whom 4000 were in New Zealand. There were 103 Unions in New Zealand, and there were between thirty and forty different branches of work in which they were engaged. Among others were these: — Prison work, legal and parliamentary, Press, back-blocks, Bible-in-schools. The following contributed items to the programme:—Song, with guitar accompaniment, Mrs Hultquist; recitatioi_Miss Allsworth; carol song, by Mejkdist Sunday School boys, under recitation, Miss M. Donald; song,-; Master Douglas; song, Mrs A. Donald. An apology was received from Air Falla, who was to have taken part. A splendid address was also given by Mrs Ferryman (the N.Z. corresponding secretary) on the Civic, Political and Economic Life of Women. She said that the W.C.T.U., although closely connected with Temperance, also went in for other things, such as the subject in question. She was of the opinion that women could do equally as well as men in Parliament, and there should be no question of sex in politics. Why, _in some lanels the only persons not having votes were criminals, lunatics and wo-

men. As regards home life, the husband ■_! and wife should have ecpial . rights in sharing income, also have co-guardian- . ship of children. It was argued l»y some that there must be one head. Why, In a case of business partnership there are two heads, and why not inmatri-mo-caMTA clergyman once visited a youlfPcouple whom he had recently married. On entering the house the husband and wife were engaged in a, wrestling and scrapping match. The clergyman,;with • much astonishment, said, "Who is the head of this house?" "The man replied, "Just sit clown a minute, and yon-will know. We: are just deciding that question." The W.C.T.U., while fighting for votes for women, were not going about it in the undignified, and unlawful manner that ,-C""*- some were but they were working quietly and earnpstl-v. She did not agree with Jrromen neglecting home and children

for public life. If a woman went to a bridge party in the afternoon, and a euchre party at night, all was well, but let her address a public meeting, and up went the cry, "Oh, she is neglecting her home duties." This was not the case at all; she was only doing that for Jove of home. The W.C.T.IL was against evil being legalised by the State, and they would work and fight till there was no evil legalised by the State. Francis Williard, the great speaker, est and best sense of the word, and never shall have, but if I can bear the adverse public opinion the other women who have surely they could for themselves." The average woman was equally as good as the average man, and the speaker believed in reasonable hours for workers. She also believed iv women jurors for certain cases. People say, "Oh, yes; a pitiful tale would go down with women.'-' Oh, how often does a pretty face influence a man, remarked the speaker. There should be equal work and equal pay, and women judges for certain cases. Some of the things done since women had votes in New Zealand were: The Infant Life Protection Act, Shop Assistants' Act, the new Divorce Act giving a womau equal rights to obtain a divorce as a man, and the Old Age Pensions Bill. A man must have a certain amount of property or money to provide for his wife and family. If we had not prohibition it would not be the same as no-license. Drink could now be brought from just outside the boundary, and it would hardly be brought 12,----000 miles by sea. Why should not women use the power that God had given them, the same as men. She did not advocate neglecting home, for when she stood before her God, and had neglected her husband and children God had given her, what good would all her outside work count . for then —nothi n £- Mrs Ferryman closed her splendid address with a very earnest appeal for more members. Mrs Houlder moved the following votes of thanks /which were carried uanimously:—■ To the Trustees of tho Methodist Church; those taking part tonight; Masterton W.C.T.U.; Mrs Devouport, president of the Masterton W.C.T.U.; the hostesses of the various delegates; and Messrs McLeod and Toung for use of piano. Before closing, Mrs Boxhall said how honoured and proud they should feel to have Mrs Perryman with them. They owed her a deep debt of gratitude for her presence.