ANNUAL CONVENTION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20917, 23 September 1939, Page 16 (Supplement)

ANNUAL CONVENTION

CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION MANY DELEGATES ATTEND The annual couvenlion of the South Auckland D.strict was held on Wednesday in St. Paul’s School room, the district president, Mrs Christian, of Tauranga, presiding. Convention was called to order at 10.30 opening with the Crusade psalm and hymn, after which a devotional period was held, Mrs Christian leading. Delegates were present from Tauranga, Cambridge, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, l’encourt and Frankton Unions, and were welcomed by the deputy-mayor, Mr F. Findlay, and, on behalf of the local churches, by the Rev. J, W. Parker. Mr Findlay complimented the Women’s Christian Temperance Union on the tenacity shown to its principles through years of faithful work for Lhe uplift of humanity. He stressed his firm and unqualified belief in the necessity of giving spiritual values their rightful place in life, and especially in the present deplorable crisis. Mr Parker’s welcome was given in a most heartening and help.ui speech which created an earnest atmosphere in which to begin the day's proceedings. Mrs Stephenson Cra ; g was appointed letter writer and press reporter for convention. Activity of Branches Reports from the various unions as presented by the district secretary, Mrs Exley, showed much activity, expressed in the distribution of literature to camps and back-blocks; the display of temperance facts by cinema; the organising of Bands of Hope; Hie giving of education regarding the effect of alcohol on the individual, the nation and the child; and the inculcation of Purity and Peace. Many of the smaller branches had done excellent work which was commented upon, the Otorohanga branch being specially commended. At the afternoon session, greetings were given by various women's organisations, Mrs Macintosh, president of the local branch of the National Council of Women, referring to the fact, of which many are apparently unaware, that it was through the efforts of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, combined with the support of sympathetic members of Parliament, that the franchise was secured for the women of New Zealand. Musical and elocutionary items provided a pleasant interlude in business, the former given by Mrs Reay and Miss Lorna Clark in delightful vocal duets, and the latter by Miss Margaret Thomas. Address by Mrs Kasper Afternoon tea was served by the Hamilton branch, after which Mrs Kasper, of Auckland, addressed the audience on the aims and objectives of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, pointing . out that the abolition of the liquor traffic was but one of its aims, there being altogether 21 departments of work in its curriculum, which included evangelism, scientific and medical temperance, Maori work, work among seamen (two seamen's Rests are maintained with much success), social and moral hygiene, good citizenship, health and nutrition, Bands of Hope, legal and parliamentary department, and others, each having its own superintendent. Mrs Kasper herself Is responsible for the Methods Department. In this capacity she had attended the world’s conference, presided over by Dr. Ella Boole, in America last year, meeting women of many nationalities from the 54 countries represented. Among these she particularly admired the Polish representative—a woman of outstanding culture and charm. (It is worthy of note that the German representative reported, “No advance under Nazi regime.”) Mrs Kasper was warmly thanked for her address, which received marked attention. It was decided that in future the convention be extended to two days in order to cope with the increasing business. The invitation of the Frankton branch for 194 u was accepted with thanks. Votes of thanks to all who had helped in the success of the convention and the pronouncing of the benediction concluded the proceedings.