THE WORLD’S W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 140, 15 January 1907, Page 1

THE WORLD’S W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Thf. Seventh Convention of tin* \\ orld s Womans Christian Tempera nee Union was held in Boston, Massachusetts, October 17th-23rd. The first World’s Convention was also held in Boston, and on that occasion Mi \\ 1 1 lard and Lady Henry Somerset were the central figures, hut only eleven countries were represented. At the HHHi Convention thirty-one countries sent delegates, hut alx>ve the platform of the great hail hung the picture of the now promoted organiser of the great Worlds W.C.T.C. ; and over it the words:- “ Now, therefore, we are no more strangers and foreigners. Lady llenrv Somerset too, was represented only by her portrait, and had intimated that she was unable to offer herself for re-election as World s I‘resident. Tremont Temple was the home of the Convention, and here a welcome banquet was given on the Wednesday evening, over one thousand guests finding places at the tables in the great auditorium. “ Women old and young, women from the Four Corners of the Earth, women elaborately costumed and women plainly gowned, a goodly sprinkling of husbands, brothers and sons, tin* white tables with a pink rose beside each plate, the dark-skinned,

white-eoated waiters, the flowers and potted plants, the white hunting forming a background for the Hags of many nations, the brilliant lights and architeetural beauties of the magnificent auditorium, all combined to make a

picture which brought thrills of joy and pride to the beholder who realised in some small measure what it all meant. .Mr> Katherine Lent Stevenson, president of the Massachusetts W.C.T.U., extended welcome on behalf of that organisation, and then introduced the Hon. John I). Long as toastmaster, who, a> Ex-Governor of the State, welcomed

on behalf of Massachusetts, and, as KxSecretary of the Navy, on behalf of the Federal Government. During the course of Ins speech Mr Long said, “ If anybody regards this occasion as one for the exploit of any narrow, illiberal, impractical, or one idea crusade in the matter of Temperance, he entirely mistakes it as well as the purpose and principles of the earnest and devoted women who have it in hand. The W.C.T.U. is not a fad, but one of the agencies of that universal reform in society, and politics and civilisation, which was never under a more vigorous impulse than it is to-day. President Roosevelt had also sent, through Mr Long, his message to (’onvent ion : “ 1 ‘least' convey to ihe delegates my sympathy for every practicable move in the cause of Temperance, and inv good wishes for tlit* continued success of the organisation. Mrs Lilian M. N. Stevens, President of the W.C.T.U. of the United States, Vice-President-at-Large of the World’s W.C.T.U., and presiding officer of the great Convention, welcomed, on behalf of the White Pibhoners of her country. Representatives of the Churches, Women s organizations, and the Press, also spoke words of greeting. The rcsjKmsivt* speeches were giv«*n bv Miss Agues E Slack, World’s Secretary, in the absence of the World’s

I'resident, Ladv Henry Somerset ; the Lari of Carlisle, for his wife, La ly Carlisle, President of the British W T.A. ; the Baroness von Hausen, for Germany; Miss Sevasti (’allisj»«*ri, lor (ireece; and Mrs (Jordon Wright, for (’anada. The following morning, at (Convention met in Tremont 'Pentpie every seat on (looraml galleries being oeeu|)ied bv delegates and \ ’sitoi s and the groat international meeting was fittingly opened by the singing of “All Hail the Lower of Jesus Name ! This was followed by tin* Crusade Psalm and the Crusade Hvmn; and then, after the roll-eall and other preliniinaries, Mrs Stevens, the Acting-Presi-dent, read an address from Lady Henry Somerset. A cablegram of approbation was sent to Lady Henry, and one was received from her, conveying thanks to the leaders in the various countries for the beautiful bell which they had given to be hung in the belfry of the chapel of her home. The bell was rung for tin* lirst time at the hour of n|>eiiiiig the ('or. vent ion. More welcomes followed, this time from His Exeellency the Governor of Massachusetts, and the Mayor of Boston. Secretary’s Repo *t. Miss Agnes Slac k presented a ivjiort of the work in various countries, and the following are a few of the prominent items; —“(rains have been made nearly everywhere, both in membership and in activity, the largest proportional being in Sweden, where in three years the member ship h a* been raised from 7118 to 2(138. A large number of temperance restaurants have also been established. Iceland reports good work in several departments. In India there are thirty-three local liiions, and Scientific Tern iterance instruction has been introduced into the schools. In South Africa the work had, through the late war, become disoigan.ised in many | places; but owing to Miss Slack s visit new I nions have been established, and the work, generally, revived. In Madeira much assistance is being received from the doctors, who are publicly warning people against the use of alcohol. (ireat Britain has 11 Go branch* s, w it h a membership of 109 053. The \V.(\T I*. of (iermany petitioned the War Depart incut to discontinue wine and rum being given to the troops in Africa, and nveived a favourable reply. The department is now intro-

during non-alcoholic fruit juices is rapidly as |M>ssiblc in place of liquor. In Norway the \Y .(\T.!\ is represented on a joint Teni|>eraiiee Commission, which is preparing a system of scientific temperance instruction for the public schools. In Kgypt tempcraiiee work is pushed forward through the Sunday schools and (\E. Societies.” Thursday afternoon was largely devoted to the introduction of Presidents and official representatives. Mrs M. B. Thomson represented Australasia, and tin* Lady Dorothy Howard spoke for her mother the (buintess of (’arlisle. Miss ( allisperi gave greetings from Greece. Mrs. Mary S. I’Vrnie from Africa, Miss Amalie Xix Irom l‘inland. Mrs (Jordon Wright, president of the Dominion of Canada, gave statistics of the growth of prohibition in her country. “In (Quebec there are 603 municipalities that have outvoted the traffic; in Ontario, 2(13, and in Nova Scotia Hi out of 18 counties have a measure of prohibition through local option. One entire province—Prince Edward Island —is under prohibition ; and, said Mrs W right, “ During the time 1 was there I did not see one intoxicated person. For one whole week in July of this year the white Mag floated over the jail in this province, signifying that it had no inmates. An early adjournment was made in order that the Convention might accept the hospitality of the Governor and the Mayor. The Children. The lirst hour of (be Thursday evening session was occupied with Loya l I emperanee I region exercises presented by children from the Frances E. Willard Settlement of Boston. The demonstration was not only beautiful to look upon and to bear, but bore witness to the thorough and fundamental temperance work that may be done bv training the children. Japan. The second part of the programme was opened by the introduction of Mrs Ivaji Yajima, for twenty-six years president of the W. C. T 1 \ of Japan. Mrs Yajima is seventy-four years of age and was the first woman in her country to receive a teacher’s certificate. During the war with Russia she secured for the army and navy (>O,OOO comfort bags, and received from the Emperor, as a token of appreciation, a sot of bowls stamped with the imperial seal.

Dost plied as “black haired, keen eyed, and of erect figure, Mrs Yajima was accompanied by her grand niece, Miss Ocliimi Okuho, who acted as interpreter. Both were in native costume, and conspicuous on the platform was the Japanese banner of crimson satin, embroidered in white and gold. England. Ladv Dorothy Howard was the next speaker, (’ailed by the Boston Press a typical beauty of the British realm,” and only twenty years old. Lady Dorothy sjxike with simple modesty, yet with great sc if i x isscssion. W itli much skill and force she told of work being done by the Temperance forces in England. She reminded her hearers that,owingtoprevailing English public opinion, to work for and obtain a< I v anced Temperance legislation was more ditlicult for English women than it was for their American sisters ; “but,” said the young speaker, “ we believe that as it is our truest sphere to care for the home, so all the more is it our sphere to take up this grave problem, the solution of which will make happier homes in all the world.” Austria. hollowing the English girl came h ran lei 11 Julie Kussowitz, of Vienna, tin* gifted daughter of a noble father a scientific medical man Speaking of the peace between nations, which is one of the planks in the \\\ C. T. I\ platform, the Austrian ladv said, “As alcohol!.::u itself a curse to humanity, the fighting of alcoholism, that unites all the best [lowers of our time, ran become a blessing in promoting that sentiment of human solidarity that destroys the barriers between different nations and creeds.” Fruulein kassowitz went on to remark that the impulse to the foundation of the Tnion in Vienna, and indeed of the total abstinence movement in Austria, was given l>v the International Congress against alcoholism held in Vienna, in 1901. The L nion is the only organisation promoting abstinence among the middle and upper classes. 'The Temperance movement in Austria is not yet what may lie termed a popular movement. It had “ its origin in thought, the scientific findings of Dr Kassowitz and other eminent men clearly demonstrating tin* laet that alcohol is a |K)ison and , not a food.

Peace and Arbitration. On the Friday morning, Mrs Lucia Amis Mead, well known for her distinguished labours on behalf of international peace, was introduced to (\>n vent ion as the representative of the Peace department of the International (Ymncil of Women. Mrs Mead prophesied that the aims of the department of Peace would he attained live hundred years before those of any other depart* ment. At a later session, Mrs Hannah J. Hailey, superintendent <»f Peace and Arbitration, said that twenty-three countries had sent in reports of work done, in the shape of sermons preaelied, public meetings held, resolutions adopted and presented, etc. Mrs Hailey also reported that the Government of Hnlluml had purchased a plot of land for the erectin'., of the Carnegie Palace of Peace “The Inter-Parliamentary I’nion now numbers L'tHMi practical men, members of the principal Parliaments of the world. An international congress, with irecpient stated sessions, and having at least advisory powers, i« talked of, ami it is lio|mm| will materialist* in the not distant future. 1 L. T. L. Miss Anna Gordon reported that tin* Loval Teni|M‘rance Legion has .">OO,OOO little followers in the various colonies of Australasia, and in Great Britain, Riinuuh, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Chili, China, Culm, Cape Colony. Finland, Iceland, India, Japan. Madagascar, Mexico, Norway. New Zealand, Panama, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Fruguay and the I nited States. Patent Medicines. In giving her report, Mrs Martha M. Allen, snprrinteiident of the department of Medical Tempeiame, illuminated her remarks, showing a lighted lamp fed by the alcohol in a popular patent medicine. Speaking of the aid given in the crusade against patent medicines by several magazines and journals, notably Co'iitrs Weekly, Mrs Allen said that the King of Norway had gone still further in the suppression of the evil. Last August he issued a roval proclamation forbidding newspaper advertising of all proprietary medicines, either as for sale in Norway, or to be obtained elsew here and filliped to Norway. Food. After an address on the importance of pure food, the following resolution

was adopted . —“ That this Convention, without advocating any special system of diet, would urge delegates to impress upon all their branches the importance of directing attention to the more general use of the much-neglected and foods, such as grains, cereals, fruits, nuts and vegetables. Other Departments. Other departments of work reported upon included Evangelistic (twenty mothers meetings in Japan doing a gi>at evangelistic work), work among Soldiers, work among Sailors, work among Railway Men, Missionary, Purity, Sunday School, Medal Contest, Penal, Charitable and Reformatory, School >avings Hank", department of Mercy, Press. Legislation and Petitions, and Protection of Native races. In Memoriam. A reverent and impressive memorial service gave oppoilunity for fitting reference to tiie following leaders summoned to higher service since the last World s meeting : Mrs Eliza Trimble I hoiupson [ F.S.A.), M rs Jessie S. Honke (Australasia), Mrs Mary 11. Hunt t,l .SA.), Mrs Alice Gordon Gulick (Spain), Mrs Theresa W . Mackay (Cape Colony/, Mrs M. K. Kaiopothake (Greece), Mrs R. S. Ltnier (C.S.A.), Mrs Marwick (Australasia), Mrs McKinnon (Scotland/, Lady Thorburn (Newfoundland), Miss J. L. Dougall (Scotland), Mrs M. C. Robinson China), Mrs Marv A. Livermore (U.S.A.), Miss Susan B. Anthony (I .S.A.), Sir Wilfrid Lawson (England). “ Lead, Kindly Light was sung. The Earl of Carlisle sp>kt* with deep appreciation of Sir W ilfrid Lawson, and Dr. T. D. Crothers paid tribute to Mrs Mary Hunt and her wonderful powt r of insight and organisation which led to the establishment of tin most important of all Temperance work, the scientific instruction of the young. Oflicers. The ballot for World s oflicers resulted as follow s: — I 'resident, the Countess of Carlisle, England ; Viet 'hesident-at-large, Mrs. Lilian M. I\. Stevens, F.S.A.; honorary Secretaries, Miss Agues E. Slack, England, and Miss Anna A. Gordon, l .S.A. ; Treasurer, Mrs. Marv E. Sanderson, Canada.