Report of the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Women's

White Ribbon, Volume 2, Issue 21, 1 March 1897, Page 4

Report of the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Women's

Christian Temperance Union, HELD IN THE ART GALLERY, CHRISTCHURCH, February, 1897. Members of Convention. Mrs Schnackenberg, Auckland, President; Mrs Ballantync, Christchurch, Treasurer; Miss Powell. Palmerston North,Corresponding Secretary; Mrs Sheppard, Christchurch (Parliamentary ; Mrs Kirkland, West Taieri (Evangelistic) ; Mrs Venables, Christchurch (Literature) ; Mrs Blackwell (Relief), and Mrs Soulby, Kaiapoi; Mrs Siaal, Feilding; Mrs Arthur and Miss Barnett, I^eeston; Mrs Adams, Dunedin; Mrs Cole and Mrs W. S. Smith (Business Manager White Ribbon), Christchurch; Miss Gordon, Napier; Mrs Keir, Rangiora; Mrs Evans, Hokitika; Mrs Rose, Blenheim; Mis Boxall, Wellington; Miss ChumW*rlain, Amberley; Miss Maunder, Hawt id . Mrs Whitby, Lyttelton ; Mrs Webb, Gisborne; Mrs Widdowson, Auckland. A short Executive meeting was held on the morning of Feb. 24th, when a programme of business was arranged. The following notices of motion were received:—l. “To amend Article IV. of the Constitution.”—Mrs Sheppard. 2. “To urge upon Christian Endeavour Societies to form a department for Temperance work.” —Miss Powell. On motion of Mrs W. Smith it was resolved —“That a Committee be formed to receive report of White Ribbon, and to prepare resolutions for Convention.” The President then read an interesting letter from Headquarters, Chicago, in which Miss Willard urged upon all White Ribboners the duty of sending assistance to the Armenian refugees. She also intimated that the \N .W.C.T.U. intend to establish refuges at various points along the Turkish frontier. Miss Powell suggested that all subscriptions to various funds, such as the Indian Famine Relief Fund, lie forwarded through the N.Z.W.C.T.U., instead of passing through the hands of other societies. A reception meeting was held in the Art Gallery on Feb. 25th at 2 p.m., when addresses were delivered by Mrs Sheppard, Mrs Schnackenberg, Miss Powell, Mrs Webb, Mrs (Squires, Mrs McKee, Mrs Grossman, and Mrs Cole. Afternoon tea was served, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. After the reception the members of Convention remained for preliminary business. The credentials of delegates were received, and members of committees appointed. Morning Session Feb. 2bTH.

The session opened with prayer-meeting, conducted by Mrs Schnackenberg. The President’s address was then read and received. Mrs Schnackenberg then reported that New Plymouth desired the establishment of a central depot fo»* literature. This, however, was thought impracticable, and it would be better

for each centre to order through local booksellers. Pamphlets by Lady Henry Somerset, Canons Hicks and Wilberforce, Drs Ridge and Richardson, and others, could be obtained from the United Kingdom Alliance at a low rate. On the motion of Miss Powell, it was re. solved—“ That Palmerston North be created a District Union.” Afternoon Session. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Brisbane Union, mviting a delegate from New Zealand to the Triennial Convention, commencing April 2f>th. The Corresponding Secretary’s report was then read and adopted. The banner offered by Mrs Packe to the Union which could show the largest number of new members for 1893 was presented to the Kaiapoi Union. Mrs Ballantyne then read the New Zealand Treasurer'* report, showing cash balances held by local Unions to be .£3BB 10s and the income for the year j£l99 5s 10Jd. Twenty-two of the Unions had not yet sent in Treasurer's roport. Reports of District Unions were then read by Miss Powell. Morning Session,

The reports of the f Bowing department* were read: —Juvenile Work, Rescue, Relief, and Mission Woik In connection with the latter rep. >rt Mrs Whitby gave an account of Mission work in L\ttelton, and Mrs Schnackenberg impressed upon the Unions the importance of holding missionary prayer meetings at least once a month. Discussion followed upon Preventive and Rescue Woik ; also upon the evils of smoking and the desirability of appointing a superintendent of narcotics. Morning Session.—March 1. The reading of departmental reports was continued. Mrs Rose gave an interesting account of Maori work in Blenh* iin, and suggested the opening of a W.C.T.U. among the Maori women there. Mrs Schnackenberg referred to the evasion of prohibitory laws in the King country. The President then read a paper upon Scientific Temperance Instruction in schools, and urg**d that the work be taken up throughout the colony. On behalf of the Napier Union Miss Gordon asked Convention to recommend another book on Scientific Instruction, Pr. Richardson’s being thought too advanced for children. A long discussion ensued, and suggesti >ns were made upon carrying out this work through Bands of Hope. ArTERNOON SEBBIO*.

Mrs Sheppard read the Parliamentary Report, after which the following resolutions were carried: — “That this Convention thanks the Premier for his« fforts to repeal the C.D. Acts during the last session of Parliament, and urges that a Bill be introduced whereby the wish of the people (already twice expressed through their representatives) to sweep these Acte from th" Statute books of the colony, shall become law.” “ 1 hat this Convention strongly urges that a Bill be introduced into Parliament wbervb/ the wish of the people, expressed last year, F equalise the conditions of Divorce for men an>l women, may be carried into effect, and that

thi* r<solution be forwarded to the Premier and to the Speakers of both Houses.” “That this Convention thanks the House of Representatives for having r ised the a*e of protection from 14 to 16 years. It now asks that the age be raised to 21 yeais, on the following grounds:—All persons under 21 ve.irs are considered by law irresponsible wh- re [gating a Parliamentary vote, entering into a business partnership, or inh» riting property are concerned. Convention holds that the honour of our women is at least of equal importance with these, and claims similar protecbon. “This Convention urges that it >e made illegal and severely punishable for any youth or maiden under twenty-one to he found in a house cf ill fame.” “That, recognising that the economic dependence of women is oppressive, and hurtful to them, and also that it is, in a large measure, responsible for the ‘ social evil,’ this Convention respectfully urges the Government to consider the question, and in all cases where it employs men and women to do the sum* class of work, remunerate them equally, and so uphold the pnncip e of 4 equal wage for equal work.’ ” ‘•That this Convention urges the Government to introduce a bill for the removal of all civil and political disabilities from women.” ‘‘That District Uni ns l-e urged to a more complete discharge of their duties towards their auxiliary Unions and to the New Zealand officers. That they be adv sod to hold a District Convention at leat-t once a veir, and invite their auxiliaries to attend That they visit their auxiliaries in turn during the year, holding meetings, suggesting literature and plans of work, and ‘ mothering ’ them generally. That they organise new Unions where practicable, and that they collect tbeir auxiliaries’ annual secretaries’ reports and baliii e sheets, with their capitation fees, and forward them, with the district report, to the New' Zealand Corresponding Secretary ana Treasurer respectively befo e December 31st.” Miss Powell made some suggestions upon reaching and educating indifferent women, and, upon the invitation of the President, Rev F. Isitt spoke upon the same subject. Mornino Session— March 2nd. At the morning session, Mrs Seed urged the desirability of amending Article VIII. of the Constitution, and, after some discussion, the following resolution was carried: — “That a committee be appointed to amend the Constitution, and to add the various resolutions passed from year to year; the committee to be composed of the New Zealand officers, with Mesdames Seed, Cole, Sheppard, Newton, and "VViddowson.”

Mrs Sheppard gave notice of motion “ That the Corresponding Secretary be instructed to send to Mrs Hannah Whitehall Smith for specimens of “ Schools of Methods also a book recommended by the American W.C.T.U, entitled “Questions and Answers.’ Mrs Schnackenberg and Miss Powell referred to the necessity for having printed forms issued to each Union for tabulating reports for Convention. Specimen copies were shown of a circular letter to la? sent to absent members, issued by the New Plymouth I nion. The President reminded the Unions that it is desirable to appoint one or two members to visit absentees. District reports were read from Midhirst, Manaia, Waiinate, and Pungarehu. Mrs Blackwell spoke upon the importance

of using the initiatory service, and the following resolution was carried:— “ That the initiatory service Ik* embodied in the revised Constitution.” Convention then went into committee on the “White Ribbon.” Afternoon Session — March 2nd. The report of the Literature Department was read by Mrs Venables. Upon the invitaItion of the President. Mrs Grossman then read an intonating paper, and a letter fnun Miss Willard, upon thv, Armenian question. Mrs Sheppard also spoke upon the subject, and a collection was taken in aid of the Relief Fund, amounting to jE3 13s lid. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Grossman for her er. Th-* following resolutions were pass“d:— “That Mr 3 Newton be appoint'd as treasurer to receive contributions from all ov. rthe ! colony, towards the Indian Famine Relief I Fund.” “ That a number of papers on various subject Ik* prepared and read at next Convention.” The following papers were suggested: — 1. “ The Responsibilities of Women as Citizens.”—Mrs Sheppard. 2. “ The Responsibilities of Women as Mothers.” — Mrs Webb. 3. “ Our Outlook : Suggestions for Work.” —Miss L. M. Kirk. It was resolved to accept with thanks the invitation of the Napi“r Union to hold Convention there next year. An offer was received from Mrs F. W. Isitt to organise new Unions and to strengthen small ones in the North Island, chiefly in the neighbourhood of Wellington. It was unanimously agreed to accept Mrs Isitt’s offer, and also to authorise Miss Powell to visit any Unions on her way from Palmerston northwards. Morning Session —March 3rd. The following resolutions were carried : “ That Convention sees the need of a lecturer on scientific temperance, who should I*3 supplied with diagrams and appliances for exi>eriments.and urges the District l nions to engage r White Rihliouer for their distiict, who w ill regularly visit the auxiliary Unions and Hands of Hope.** “ That Convention requests the Corresponding Secretary to reply to Miss Willard’s letter re supposed defeat of the Prohibitionist party j at the Local Option poll.** “ That this Convention, seeing the great need for preventive work, urges on the Unions to hold meetings for the purpose of influencing mothers in the direction of instructing their children in the laws of physiology.” “That this Convention regrets that there are still many churches using fermented wine at the oommuLi n service, and urges Christian ministers and church officers to consider their responsibility in this important matter. “That tHis Convention recommends that Superintendents of Hands of Hope be asked to induce boys to sign the Loyal Temperance Legion pledge, which includes abstinence from smoking.” “ That this Convention recommends each Union to write to all temperance bodies, drawing their attention to the tact that the work of inducing people to sign the total abstinence pledge lias largely suffered during the Legislative conflict of the last few years, and asking them to initiate campaigns for the prosecution of tain essential feature of our work. ’ “That this Convention of delegates from all parts of the colony tendors hearty thanks

to the Christchurch Union for .ts kind hospitality during the meetings, adding the name of Mrs Evans for her kindness at the pleasant gathering at Willow Farm, Kaiapoi.” A vote of thanks was also passed to all those who ha<l assisted in making the concert in aid of the New Zealand Funds a success. Grants were passed to the White Ribbon on account of Convention reports, and also to Superintendents of departments for jnwtuge. Convention was closed by singing “ God bo with you till we meet again,” and the repetition of the ‘ Crusade Psalm.”