The Wellington Convention.

White Ribbon, Issue 1, 1 July 1895, Page 5

The Wellington Convention.

Annual Report.

AUCKLAND.

Another year has cycled round, bringing us to our tenth annual meeting. In reviewing the past, we see how little we have done, and how much we might have done that we have left undone, in this mighty warfare against the curour fair country. Those of us who have be< 0 privileged to meet together fortnightly ha\ kept in touch by letter with those of our sisters the seas, who are band at work, with p< n and voice, swaying the multitude, and awaking the mighty ( „n sof the land to COfM and join their ranks. While hearing these glad tidings, car la arts have rejoiced to know that we I elonged to such I band, ol noble, self-sacrificing women ; and the longing of every heart has been, "t m, that the women of leisure and ability could be ewakfl to < one and help us do likewise.' For still King Alcohol reigns, devastating the land. If the sym pathies of our younger natert Could be enlist- d, more d< partnicnts might DC worked : but, alas, too many of them feai the ridicule heaped on women taking any part in public work. And it is hard to overcome the teachings of by gone days, M that it was only right for a woman to give her mini to her hot! In a fe« wars these obsta< lee will be ■ tiling ol the peat, and, as wall as u looking well to the wayi ol bei houeeholbY* ha Drain ihall be heard M m the gates." At pn the working members are all active workers in various churches, and have little leisure for outside work—most of them feeling thit calls from home * are overdone.

Oan I'mon now numbers 70, with 4 honorary members. ingeltetic and cottage meetings tfced by our Superintendent in conjunction with tl < Primitive Methodist Church Mission. Iwo petitions have been taken out—one on repeal ottb CD, .Vt.and another On Hro'iibilion.

Help is given in distributing the Prohthttomt. This is a very important work, and one whereby the membership of our Union might be consnhribly augmented, fin each diatribotof U ■uppoeod to try and get the recipient of the paper to sign the pledge; and as then luipaanti an mostly WCHM n. it would DC an • aay matter to invite them to «- ome and join our t'nion. In the early part oi the year a (ommunication was received from the Hand of Hope I'nion, asking for our '.o-peration in trying to again get ■ ntiln t< :i* ( ' instrurtion into the public schools. A committee was formed, after first obtaining permission from two school committers, whereby six s hools were opened to us. Then came the difficulty of finding I suitable pe.son to impart the n< ruT knowledge in a form tunable to school children. The united committees decided that a slight renumcr.iuon must be offered to pay expenses, the Hand of Hope Union offering to pay half, if 011; I'nion would do the oth< 1 This deciaioa wee conveyed to our Union, but was negatived. The Union decided it would not be v.is, to < Kpeod money in this way, as it would only r ■ very small portion of the field of labour, when, if pat ■ the school syllabus, all schools in toWB and country would be reached. The Hand 1 4 Hope has engaged one of our members. Mrs Kerr, to I .-it thi six s. hools. Anothei effort was then made. A deputation waited on the Board of Education, and earnestly pleaded past promises that scientific instructi a be a class subject. The effort was fruitless although five d the members were supposed to hi in favour of temperance, and it was cV eim d a VCf) favourable time to present the subject. Alas ! foi il u ightedneaa of men. May the banc 1001 come when women shai! have seats on the Hoaid, then we may expect some improvements in its work. While the Parliament was in Session their prolings were watched with much interest, and members written to when occasion warranted. Or the ath November, being e public holiday, Ri v Isitt's mission closed v.ith an all-day convention of Temperance workers. This Union provided a luncheon for 100 persons. All took the movement up with spirit and worked well, it proving a great success.

On the d.iy of the licensing election, or direct veto, most of our members were busy all day at the various voting places, looking up voters and distributing leaflets, etc. During the year we have held 21 meetings. Publk meetings have also been held, one on our Franchise Anniversary, and anothei during KVv Isitt's mission.

\\V also had I visit from Miss May Yates, from the " Bread and Food Refonn League Association." She gave two lectures, but unfortunately they were not ■ success financially, involving the Union in some loss. Hut let us hope for a great gain in the matter of hygiene, as a society has !•■ formed in Auckland.