The W.C.T.U. Convention “At Home.”

White Ribbon, Volume 5, Issue 57, 1 March 1900, Page 1

The W.C.T.U. Convention “At Home.”

By A Visitor

The Central Mission Hall, Albertstreet, Auckland, certainly presented an attractive appearance internally on the occasion of the “ At Home ” on Thursday, February 15. On the platform a number of plants and flowers had been

tastefully arranged. The word “ Welcome " stood out in large gilt letters on a crimson background. Two large framed portraits faced the visitors: One, surmounted by the Stars and Stripes, that of the late lamented chieftain in the work, “ Frances F. Wil-

lard,” the other that of the W.C.T.U. World’s Missionary, Miss Jessie Ackerman. There was a goodly

assemblage of delegates and visitors in the Hall when, at 3 o’clock, Mrs A.

Thorne, President of the Auckland branch, announced the opening hymn, “Give to the winds thy fears.” That hymn, we know, has almost sacred

associations in the story of the W.C.T.U. movement, but anything

less appropriate to the prevailing sentiment made manifest in that cheerful gathering that bright summer afternoon can hardly be imagined. From all that one could see and hear nobody had any “fears” to give to the winds. Hope, gratitude, confidence, thanksgiving,

these were the qualties that shone on everybody’s face and rang out in all

that was said and done. After prayers by Pastor Bull, who is one of the stalwarts of the Temperance legion in Auckland, Mrs Thorne welcomed the delegates in a practical and suggestive address. Most interesting was the address that followed from Mrs Brame. Before Mrs Leavitt came to

Auckland. Mrs Brame, with a number of other ladies, had commenced temperance work on organised lines. They all welcomed the idea brought by Mrs Leavitt, and so the materials for the first branch of the W.C.T.U. in New Zealand were found ready to hand.

The Union President, Mrs Schnakenberg, also briefly welcomed the dele-

gates. The defect in the arrangements was that nobody knew who the dele gat< s were or whence they came from, their names not having been announced from the platform. Not to make the welcome wholly one-sided as to sex, Mr J. E. Taylor, of Mangere, was called upon to speak, which he did effectively. Mr Taylor was a candidate for the Manukau seat at the last election, and some day Parliament and the Colony will gain in him a valuable member. The Rev. W. J. Williams, President of the Prohibition League was also asked to join in the chorus of welcome. He did so by referring gratefully to the noble share sustained by members of the Union throughout the colony in the recent struggle which had brought New Zealand so much nearer to its complete emancipation from the Liquor Traffic. Much having been said of and to the delegates, it was time the delegates had heir innings. The appearance on the platform of Miss Kirk to represent the delegates was the signal for an

outburst of hearty greeting. It was remembered by those who looked at her *vith what splendid self-denial and devotedness Miss Kirk had traversed various parts of the colony, putting the case for No License with irresistible

cogency. It was a joy to see her : it was a deeper joy to hear her and to gather from her words how strong is v O her faith and how bright is her hope for the future triumph of our cause.

The consecration of such mental gifts and moral enthusiasm as are possessed by Miss Kiik to the advocacy of Temperance is no small gain to the prospects of success. Hearty greeting was also tendered to Miss Powell, who had come with grateful memories of the struggle for victory in the Kaiapoi electorate. It is a cheerful omen that those who have worked the hardest are the least inclined to be discouraged because the last election did not result in carrying Prohibition anywhere but in the Clutha. They have felt the beating of the heart of the colony as those have not whc have dwelt at ease; hence the confidence of ourt best workers that the victory is only delayed. The speaking had been interspersed with music—a pianoforte solo by Miss Hrame, and a song by Mrs Bartlett. It was followed by afternoon tea—that blessed solvent of all stiffness (if there had been any, which there wasn’t), and loosener of all tongues. Among the pleasurable greetings at this stage was that ol Miss Maunder, who has also earned a good degree by carrying the banner of No License into various districts throughout the colony. This writer has a dim idea that there were present other notables who have won a good record in the recent campaign, but how can they be spoken of unless their names are known ? It would make an almost complete success of such an “ At Home” if somebody made it her business to see that everybody knew' w r ho every, body else was. The sense of comradeship in a good warfare would be strengthened by personal recognition, and the cause would gain all round. Altogether the gathering was bright and hearty, a good augury for the success of the Auckland Conven tion.