W.C.T.U. Convention, Dunedin, 1896.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 10, 1 April 1896, Page 5

W.C.T.U. Convention, Dunedin, 1896.

PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. Beloved Comrades, “ White Ribbon ” Sisters — By the good hand of our God being upon us we are gathered together at another Convention. It is somewhat later in the year than on former occasions, hut it seemed good to the friends who had the arrangements in hand for some of the meetings that it might be a mutual advantage if we met at the same time as the Prohibition League. With their work we are in fullest accord, and as they are in sympathy with us, there could be no objection to a union which might prove a source of strength to both Societies. Another year, which opened with great promise in some respects, has for ever gone, with its purposes and plans, its hopes and expectations. Let us take the courage that results from any measure of success, however small, and the lessons which can be learnt from efforts and hopes unfulfilled. In appropriating Miss Willard’s suggestive motto, “ Do everything,” we feel that no work where woman’s hand is needed is unfit for the W.C.T.U., and that “ Whatsoever our hands find to do we should do with our might.” Some of our friends take exception to our interfering in any work which is not strictly Temperance, but we consider that as women it is our duty to help other women who need our help, and, in the name of our Master, try to raise the fallen, loose the bonds of those who are slaves of sin, endeavour to influence legislation in favour of the protection of our homes, and in every way in our power work for the uplifting of Humanity. Departmental work will be reported by the various Superintendents, but we may to some extent anticipate a few of the subjects which will be brought before the Convention. One of these is Temperance Sunday. This, as you will hear in its proper place, was last year quite a success. For this year it has been decided by the Wesleyan Conference that all the Ministers of that Church preach Temperance sermons on the Sunday immediately preceding the next election. Of course I mean Parliamentary election. I w r ould suggest that this Convention make it a recommendation to the ministers of all denominations that they preach Temperance sermons on that day. We cannot estimate the good that would result from such simultaneous action in all our Churches.

Home meetings for mothers living in isolated and scattered districts are a great boon to many 1 should like to refer to the work of this nature now being carried on in New Plymouth. 1 was able to visit New r Plymouth itself, Stratford, and Hawera, and was cheered to find the women in each place

I eager to take up the distribution of literature, house or cottage meetings, visiting absent members, and to assist in sending one of their members who may be designated Superintendent of Country Meetings to the outlying districts where she holds meetings for all classes, mostly the industrial men and women, who are glad to get a Gospel Temperance talk. In our legal and petition or Parliamentary work we shall have several memorials to consider. The first of these is for- the repeal of the C.D. Acts. While we are grateful to the House of Representatives in that they did last year repeal those Acts which are a moral wrong—unconstitutional because they endanger the liberty of the subject—we shall have to ask the House for a repetition of their vote in favour of repeal (which was refused in the Upper House) until the Acts are for ever removed from the statute books of the colony. It is a very great pleasure to this Convention to welcome our beloved comrade Mrs. Sheppard, who has spent some time in the old lands, and has returned once again to cheer us by her presence. We had hoped she would have been able to take a prominent part in Convention proceedings, and must express regret that indifferent health will prevent much of this ; but we do hope that from time to time Mrs. Sheppard will tell us some ot the things she has seen, and the stirring scenes in the World’s Great Convention in which she took part. We pray for our beloved sister full restoration to health, and a long life of service in the White Ribbon cause. During the year we shall have an opportunity to exercise our citizen rights. W e must remember that this is a sacred duty—a great responsibility. While we are not partisans, we should vote only for those men who are known to be of good moral character, and who will be on the side ot righteousness, giving their interests and vote in favour of moral reform, including the people’s right to abolish the liquor traffic, and ourselves vote straight for prohibition. We know the Lord Jehovah reigns. As loyal subjects of the great King,let us faithfully do our part in the great struggle. Other subjects for your Convention are the Age of Consent, the time elapsing during which informations may be laid. The Divorce Bill, the Disabilities Act, and others will be brought to your notice, and, I trust, receivi; right consideration. Rescue and relief work we must ever keep in front. We are asked, as an outcome of the last World’s Biennial Convention, to take up a department of mercy. This is especially for the young people—Bands of Hope, Loyal Legions, and similar societies. We should encourage these Bands of Mercy, as they inculcate kindness to animals as well as to their schoolmates.

We are not to forget scientific Temperance instruction- Invercargill Union has presented a copy of I)r. Sir B. W. Richardson’s lessons to the teachers in their State school. Let others follow so good an example. We must in this department agitate, agitate, agitate, until every child attending our State schools is taught the dangerous nature of alcoholic poisoning. So let us go on, keeping in mind our three watchwords—Agitate ! Educate! Organise !—till this land is clean from the curse of strong drink and and impurity, and the new earth awakes to an eternity of peace and good will. Then shall we rejoice with all co-workers in the great cause, and give praise for ever to their Lord and ours. Yours, in “ White Ribbon ” bonds, A. J. ScHNACKENBERG