Welcome to Convention.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 71, 1 April 1901, Page 10

Welcome to Convention.

The Vivian Street baptist Sunday Schoolroom, Wellington, presented a bright and fes tive appearance on the afternoon of March 20, when a welcome wa9 given to the officers and deleates who had come from various parts of the Colony to attend Convention. All thut thoughtful, loving, and artistic fingers could do to beautify the Schoolr»>om was done ; the floral decorations being really beautiful, and a gladsome sight to both Convention members and visiters. The New Zealand W.C.T U. flag was in evidence, which, with festoons of “ The Ribbon White ” proclaimed the nature of the occasion.

The day was not one of the most sunny, yet in spite of the threatening clouds, a goodly number assembled to greet the W.C.T.U. workers.

Mrs Kirk, President of the inviting Union, took the chair, and among others, Mrs Schnackenberg, our New Zealand President, and Mrs Harnett, Vice-President of the WellingtoulJnion, took their scats on the platform. Mrs Kirk, in a graceful and telling speech, welcomed those present, expressing a hope that the coming week would be both pieasant and useful. She thought that our membership should be treblei, and if each member did h**r part that result would be easily accomplished, lake Lord Kitchener, the Union wanted Contingents in New Zealand, not wearers of khaki, but of the White Ribbon. Every woman should feel her responsibility. She welc med among them that day a number of the * lords of cren» tion,” including the Mayor of Wellington, who was a life-long abstainer, and a living proof that total abstinence was no disadvantage to a man in the way of physical as well as mental power. The Mayor (Mr J. G. W. Aitken), in expressing plea ure at being present, said his iife-long abstinence was due to his mother’s teaching, which had carried him safely through many temptations. He hoped that the Convention would impart to the temperance cause an impetus that would be felt from Russell to the Bluff. He referred feelingly to the death of the and considered that her successful reign was proot to the world that woman was capable of taking any position offered her. In connection with the war, he deplored the fact that the development of Militarism had been accompanied by an outburst of drinkirg, and derided the courage that had to be sustained by beer. Mr A. R. Gkinson, M. H R., said that in a democracy, the temperance cause, to be suacossful, must not only have merit, but also votes behind it. Their object should be moral suasion, and votes duly registered at the ballot box.

Dr Newman, in an interesting address, said that he had noted several proofs of the decline of the drinking habit, and this was due to temperance organisation. Reformers should never be discouragedby checks. The temperance party should unite more closely than ever if it expected to win.

4 The Rev C. Dallaston quoted Professor Drummond in saying that every atom could act upon eveiy other atom in the universe, but it could only do so by acting upon the atom next it. That was a text for temperance workers. The R v F. W. Isitt Mid that at the beginning of the new Century, Prohibition was in a better position than it had ever been. The chief danger was the mistaken idea of State control. There was nothing in the reproach that Prohibition had failed in the King Country, because any spirit merchant could send his whole stock into the King Country whenever he liked. If men and women would only think he would be confident of succeßo, and he rejoiced that English state mien had become alarmed at the extent of the drink evil confronting them. Mrs Schnackenberg paid a loving tribute to Frances Willard, and said that the New Zealand Unions, numbering 2000 members, were trying to bring in the Kingdom of Christ. Miss Harnett, Corresponding Secretary, felt sure that their meetings would realise their executions of profit and enjoyment, and thanked the Wellington friends fer their warm and courteous reception.