REPORT Of the Sixteenth Annual Convention of the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union. HELD IN WELLINGTON, MARCH 20, 1901

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 71, 1 April 1901, Page 3

REPORT Of the Sixteenth Annual Convention of the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union. HELD IN WELLINGTON, MARCH 20, 1901

Members or Convention. Presid nt, Mrs Schnackenberg ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Harnett; Recording Se*retary, Mrs A. R. Atkinson; Treasurer, Mrs Hill.* Vies Presidents : Auckland, Mrs Thorne ; New Plymouth, Mrs Douglass ; Hawtra, Miss Maunder; Palmerston, Mrs Plimmer ; Gisborne, Mrs Webb : Wellington, Mrs Kirk; Nelson, Mrs Smallev ; Christchurch. Mrs Malcolm ; Kaiapoi, Mrs Black - well; Grey mouth, Mrs Gaskin. Dintki t OrFicsas — Secretaries: N ipier, Mrs Houlder Palmerston, Miss Harry; Wellington, Miss Kirk. Mrs Tiylor (Corresponding! j Kaiajwi, Mrs Soulby j Blenheim, Mrs Griffin; Invercargill, Mr» E b Jouen. District Treasurer: Wellington, Miss Wilkinson; Delegates

Tariki, Mrs Jemison ; Okaiawa, Miss Gillings; Wanganui, Mrs Cocker ; Ormondville; Miss Patterson ; Feilding, Mrs Thompson; Master ton, Mrs Burton ; Sanson Mrs Crichton ; Wellington, Mrs Wright ; Petone, Mrs Huggins; Christchurch, illitt Roberts; Dunedin, Miss Powell ; White Ribbon Editor, Mrs Sheppard; Manager, Mrs Smith.

Minutes or Wellington Convention. March 21— Morning Session.

The Convention was opened l>y singing “ Blest he the tie,” and a prayer meeting led hy Mrs Schnackenbeig. Roll was called, 25 members answering to their names. Minutes of concluding session of Auckland Convention were read and confirmei. Mrs Boxall and Mrs Fulton were appointed a Committee on Courtesies. were appointed as follows : “ Press Agency,” Miss Powell. “Evening Post” and “N. Z. Times,” Miss Maunder. “ The Outlook,” Mrs Malcolm. “ The Baptist,” Mrs Crichton. “ Primitive Methodist,” Mrs Jones. The President’s address was read and received with applause. The adoption of the address w-as moved by Mrs Douglass, seconded by Mrs Plimmer, spoken to by Mrs Soulby, and carried by acclamation. Greetings from (Queensland President, Auckland Union, and Miss Anna Gordon were read.

A message of greeting from the Dean of Waiapu was delivered by Mrs Hill, who read the Treasurer’s Report and Balance Sheet ; Miss Powell moved and Mrs Plimmei seconded the adoption of the Balance Sheet, coupled with a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Hill. Carried unanimously. A letter was received from Miss Henderson asking for suggestions as to subjects to I*> discussed by the National Council of Women in 1902. Resolved : That the Council be requested to include in its programme a paper on Scientific Temperance Instruction iu Public Schools. The noon-tide hour was observed by a chain of prayer. Miss Roberts read her report as delegate to tho National Council of Women and received a vote of thanks.

Afternoon Session. The opening hymn was, “ Oh, for a faith,” followed with prayer by Mrs Blackwell. Roll was called, 28 members answering to their names. Minutes of morning session were read and confirmed. Greetings fiow Greymouth Union were re-

ceived The Corresponding Secretary’s Report was read and adopted. Mrs Smalley, President of Nelson, was welcomed to Convention. Reports of Dunedin Sailors’ Beat, and Relief and Juvenile Work Departments were read. Miss Powell gave a long and interesting acc< tin*' of her trip to England and the meetings ot tiie London and E linburgh Conventions, and received the hearty thanks of the meeting. Mar<h 22, Mobnino Session.

9.30. a m The prayer meeting was led by Miss Maunder.

Roll was called, 26 members answering to their names. Minutes of previous session were read and confirmed. The Report of Evangelistio work was read, and it was resolved that a footnote be added mentioning the work done by Invercargill and Ocean Beach Unions, reported by the Invercargill delegate. Greetings from Miss Minchin and Mrs Kirkland were received.

Reports of Hawera and Pungarehu Home Meetings, Sabbath Observance, Maori Work were read. Resolved : That the Rev Robert Hadden be invited by the Unions to visit them and stir up interest in work among the Maori people, the Superintendent of Maori work to organise the work. Report from Press Superintendent was read. The Business Manager ot the White Ribbon and the Editor laid the matter o f the paper before Convention and it was fully dis cussed and adjourned at noon till Monday morning.

Mtss Powell led the noon-tide prayer. At 12.15 Rev F. W. Isitt was introduced and requested the Convention’s help in the proposed visit of .Miss Florence Balgarnie ; he desired that the N. Z. Unions should endeavour to collect £‘so towards the expenses Resolved : That the Convention heartily thank Rev F. W. Isitt for his explanation, and asfuie him of our hearty sympathy and earnest practical help.

Afternoon Session.

After prayer by Mrs Burton, roll was called, 30 member? answering to their names. Minutes of previous session were road and confirmed. Report of Literature Department was read. Resolved : That congratulations on her admirable conduct of the Literature Department be sent to the Superintendent. Resolved : That the Legal and Parliamentary Superintendent be requested to take steps 1 to secure legislation forbidding the sale of tobacco and cigarettes to children.

iiesoiveu : mat express :is hearty appreo\aU*#tfof the action of her Majesty (Queen Alexandra in omitting alcoholic beverages for tße tm*n at the banquet provided by her for the retiWning troops. » Resolvtd : ThAt this Convention tenders to Lord Roberts its hearty tffiinks h r the impetus given to temperance work kiroughuut the world by the noble stand be ha\ d*iken again t the use of alcohol by the troopß. Resolved : That this Convention deeply regrets the action of the Government in supplying drink to the Impeliartroops at Wellington and Auckland after the local Committees had decided against doing so. Resolved : That as this Convention heartily approves of th« proposal to establish a School foi Maoti Girls at Auckland in memory of our late beloved (Queen it should show its sympathy

by taking up a collection in aid on Monday afternoon. Resolved that:— .4 This Convention strongly protestagainst the proposal : To legalise the sale of liquor, under any system, in the King Country, and urges that section 33 of the “ Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act Amendment Act, 1895,” be made applicable to the District, and that the prohibitory law's be stringently enforced. (a) It believes it to be the duty of 11 civilized governments to protect aboriginal races from self-destruc-tion by drink. ( b ) It regards the proposal to with draw this protection from the King Country Maoris as an inconsistent and wholly unjustifiable abandonment, in this particular, of the general policy of protection that the Government of New Zealand has hitherto adopted towards them in this and other matters. (c) It holds that to grant any form*of licenses in the district would be a direct and dishonourable breach ot the agreement made in April, 1885, between the then Premier and the Maoris, when permission w’us given for Europeans to enter the King Country and construct a railway therein.

11. It urges Parliament to reject the undermentioned propo.-a’s made in the “ Licensing Acts Amendment Bill, 1900,” viz. : 1. To deprive the electors of the piwerthey now possess to determine for themselves in each electorate whether licenses shall, or shall not continue. 2. To empower the Colonial Secretary to grant licenses for the convenience of tourists, regardless of the Option vote. 3. To take a special vote by which a bare . majority of the electors of the Colony cai determine on an extension to six years of the term between the submission of Local Option issues to the voters (a) It regards this proposal as wildly opposed to the principle of the Referendum, inasmuch as it would enable whatever party might be for /- the time being in a majority to disfranchise and their opponents. ( b ) It urges that the result might be to confer on the liquor monopolises of the Colony an extension of the unique privilege they already enjoy in holding a three years’ tenur* of licenses, instead of the annual tenure which rules in all otheT parts of the English-speaking world. (c) It recognises that such an extension of the term could only result in strengthening the vested interests of the li pior traffic, and in enabling it to still further defy public control. 4. To take from the people the Reduction Vote without again conferiing on Licensing Committees the discretionary power to reduce.

I*. It urges that such drastic changes as arc referred to in Clauses HI and B2 above should not be even submitted to Parliament until the people have considered and pronounced upon them at the next General Election. (a) It reminds the Representatives of the people that 280,000 voters availed themselves in December, 1599, of ♦he powers they possess to vote in the Local Option issues in the Electorates, and that no public request has been made by any of them for the substitution of Provincial Option Districts. (b) It urges that the proposals objected to in these resolutions are all distinctly retrogressive, and un worthy of the Parliament and people of a Colony that claims to be in the van of Liberal legislation.

The resolutions submitted previously to the National Council of Women were reaffirmed. Resolved : That in view of the increase of drunkenness we make an earnest effort to celebrate the dawn of the new Century by securing 1000 new pleges ; and that Convention urges the Unions to make a house to house canvass for pledges, and to take such other means as commend themselves to attain this end and to report the result to the next Convention.

Mrs Sheppard read a paper on " The Public Health Acts,” and after some discussion of the subject a vote of thanks to her was passed At l o’clock Mrs Allen, M.A., LL.fi , read a paper on “ Some Indirect Methods of Temperance Reform.” A most interesting discussion ensued and a hearty vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. The Report of the Newtown’s Girl's Room was rea«l and also that of Scientific Temperance Instruction.

Convention closed with the benediction March 25— Morning Session Prayer meeting was led by Mrs Webb. Roll was called, 27 members answering to their names. Minutes of previous session were read and confirmed. Adjourned discussion of the White Ribbon was resumed. Promises of money towards the debit balance were made, and a l 'o promises to obtain new subscribers. Resolved : That the Editor, Sub-editor, and Business Manager be re-elected with hearty thanks for past services. Resoluti n proposed : That Convention appoint an organising agent to work in the interests of the Union. After full discussion it was resolved that Convention gratefully receives the scheme suggested by Mr Isitt, and assures the Alliance Eiecutive of its hearty co-operation in making the work of Miss Rol>erta and Miss Powell successful. Mrs Cocker laid before the Convention specimen copies of the Good Templar ‘‘ Watchword,” which were received with thanks.

Noon-tide hour was led by Mies Harnett. Miss Powell laid plans for collecting subscriptions by accepting fractional subscription for part of a year.

March 25—Afternoon Session. After singing and prayer by Mrs Cocker roll was called, 32 members answering to their names. The Report of the Legal and Parliamentary Department was read, and by request Mr A. R. Atkinson addressed the Convention on the subject of Party Government, aud replied to questbms on the new Municipal Franchise. After a full discussion a hearty vote of thanks to him was passed.

Resolved : That the Rev K. Wood, of Masterton, be assured of the earnest sympathy of the Convention in his sad bereavement, and that the Secretary write to Masterton Union conveying the condolences of the Convention.

Resoived : That women be appointed Visiting Justice . > our prisons. Resolved : Tt; t this Convention respectfully urges upolitiie Gux»rtfflient the desir- j ability of placijagHKe camp of any future contingents at a QHichVreater distance from the city . Resolved : Tim views with distress the al&rmtfgiincrease of criminal saults upon and respectfully urges that such severe may be passed as ti-i 11 net as n 3*it#»rrent X

Resolved : That the members of this Convention, realizing that Ldnest administration of all law is of the verv lwst importance, pledge themselves to vote candidates of independence and of irrespective of party. Resolved : That the members of this Convention pledge themselves to vote only for those candidates wlio may be trusted to resist, any attempt to rested the right of the people tod deal by direct the Liquor Traffic m all its branches umd typhoid the pledge given to the Maoris of the King Country. Resolved : That the members of the W.C.T.U. of New Zealand in Convention assembled desire to convoy through your Excellency to the Royal Family then heartfelt griaf and regret at the great lo3s>Chey have sustained through the passing awa/(four beloved Victoria of blessed and glorious memory, and pray that her illustrious son, His Majesty King Edward VII, may have God’s blessings showered upon

him throughout a long and prosperous reign. Proposed That this Convention, having sacrel character of human life, is that capital punishment should be abolished* After some discussion it was decided by a large majority not to put this resolution to the vote. Convention closed by singing the doxology. March 26th— Morning Session. After a prayer meeting, led by Mrs Wright, roll was called, 27 members answering to their names. Minutes of previous meeting were real, amended, and confirmed. Amendment to Art. 11l of Constitution, of /which notice of motion was given by L. M. Kirk, at Auckland Convention, was carried : That no proxy shall be appointed for any locil Union that should not have sent beside the authority for such appointment, voting directions on any proposed amend nent to the Constitution and on the election of New- Zealand Officers Mrs Webb load the report of the Social Purity Department, which was fully discussed. Resolved : That this Departuieut l>e called in future the Purity Department. All the reports of Departments read were adopted. Motion ordered to lie on the table at Auckland was brought forward : To amend Constituiton to provide that no Member of Convention shall have more than one vote. Postponed for another year’s confide atioa. The election of New Zealand Officers then took place.

L. M. Atkinson, Recording Secretary, Resolved : That Miss Powell may nominate mi assistant whose privilege it shall be to attend Convention at the expense of the New Zealand Treasury, if the Corresponding Secretary should be unable to do so. Miss Harnett was then appointed Assistant Corresponding Secretary. At the request <>f Miss Ware, Superintendent World’s Department of Anti-Gambling, this department was included. Mrs Webb r, ad report of Gisborne Coffee and Free Reading rooms, which was satisfac/tory.

It was decided tnat Mrs a. k. Atkinson and Mrs Cocker should represent New Zealand Union at Women’s National Council at Wanganui Mrs Plimmer aud Mrs Wright at Prohibition League Convention in Palmerston North in May. and Mrs A. K. Vtkinson on New Zealand Alliance Executive Committee The subject oi grants was then dealt with : Legal and Parliament ry. £1 ; White Ribbon (extra printing) 4!10 ; Maori work, 10s ; Press work, 10s ; and other departments ss. each. It was resolved to give a grant of 5s to each of the Organising agents, also that a hearty vote of thanks and a grant of £1 be conveyed to the Auditor of the New Zealand Balance Sheet. Additional grant of 10s was made to Department of Maori work, such moneys to he taken from fund collected,amounting to 30s. for purchase of literature for distribution at Paris Exhibition. Invitations were received from Unions at Invercargill, Grey mouth and Palmerston North

for PJU2 Convention, all gratetuily leceived, and that of Palmerston North accepted with thanks. Notes of thanks were passed to the—(l) hind hostesses• ot delegates and Hospitality Committee. (2) The Press. (ff) The Managers of Trinity Wesleyan Church. (4) The Pastor and Deacons of Vivian St. Baptist Church. Convention was closed hy singing “ God be with you till we meet again.” C. E. Barry, Recording Secretary