PROVINCIAL CONVENTIONS.

White Ribbon, Volume 16, Issue 184, 15 October 1910, Page 2

PROVINCIAL CONVENTIONS.

Canterbury. Was held at Waimate S< qt< mber «»th. A uost enjoyable yet Imsy t ine, work ami recreation pleasantly combined, and the “clerk of the weather most giveious, sending all sunshine and no clouds Public reception by ministers ana temperance workers, 3 p in. Mrs Cole replied >m behalf of < ’onvention. In the evening we had the pleasure of listening to Mr L. M. Isitt, who really ought to l»e boycotted by the ladies for telling the audience that he travelled round the country talking, l>ecause he never got a ch&oce to talk at home We have a vivid imagination hut it fails to depict Mr Isitt in any situation wi.°re he couldn’t talk ! Morning session, a.in., Mrs Cole pie sided. Papers read:—“Purity. Mrs Lovell Smith; “Ideal Member,” Miss Smart; “Temperance Work in the Homeland, ” Mrs l'rott ; “ Hygiene, Mrs Valentine ; “Women’s Work in the Coming Campaign,” Mrs Cole ; “ Mothers’ Hay, Miss 1r- vurza. The following resolutions were passed :

1. That this Convention believes Dr Kindlay s proposals for the prevention of the spread of venereal disease contain elements likely to defeat tiieir own object and t<> endanger rather than protect the public health. We urge 1) the education of our young people in public schools and colleges by specialists concerning the functions of their own bodies; (2) the absolutely free treatment of all patients suffering from these diseases who voluntarily submit themselves for treatment. We believe the compulsory clauses will defeat the beneficent end in view.

2. That this Convention appeals to the Government to take mch steps at the expiry of the present advertisement contract with Mr Bamfield as shall make it impossible that the liquor party shall have a practical monopoly of the advertisement spaces. 3. That this Convention enters its emphatic protest against the system of granting holidays for the sole purpose of attending race meetings which helps to foster the gambling spirit. 4. That this Convention is of opinion that the extinction of sly grog-selling would be hastened if it were made illegal for a convicted

sly grog-seller to buy any liquor in the Dominion, and we therefore urge an amendment of the law making a conviction for sly grog-selling carry with it the issue of a Prohibition order against the person convicted. l'hursday morning Waimate friends took Delegates for a drive to see their lovely country. Picture, dear city friends, a recreation ground 100 acres, 70 planted, we saw it here. Hearty thanks to Waimate. May it go dry next election. Auckland. Opened October nth in the Central Mission Hall, In a m , Mr.> Dewar presiding. Delegates -Mcsdaines West, Hodge, and Crowe, Otahuhu ; Morrison, Warkwortb ; Wright, Whangarei ; Harris, Plummer, and McDermott, Ponsonhy ; Hunter, Tuakau; were welcomed. Reports were ol a very encouraging nature. OMhn/id though discouraged by the loss of President bravely bidding on and working iu the great cause. I*oii!*oi‘hy is a g.owing quantity, good work being done in “Cradle Roll” and Hospital visiting, flowers and literature taken to the sick. ll Jutnjitrii, good work in “Cradle Roll,” visiting old people at the Home, Home and Foreign Mission work helped, clothing given to the poor. 't’unkau- the youngest branch- glowing report of work done. Rami of Hope work, “Cradle Roll in full swing. They are now forming a \ oung Men s Mutual, and hope s *on to have a < lull room for the young men to counteract the attractions of the hotels. TritonHtjit has suffered the loss of members through removals. Still are not discouraged but are keeping the dag flying. Witrkirorth is making steady progress, membership 2ti, Band of Hope work and “Cradle Roll being in a flourishing condition. A tuklritul showed a year of steady work done, nine Departments being at work Two auxiliaries added during the year. Two public meetings held. No-License work vigorously carried on by the Organi/.er. Afternoon session 2.L~> p.m., over 70 Delegates and friends present. A very interesting pap»r on “ Raei Suicide," by Mrs Storer, Glen Murray, was read by Mrs Hughes, and evoked a great deal of discussion. \\ e trust that all the Union* will have an oppoitunity of reading this paper in the Whitk Ribbon. Miss Hagnall gave some interesting incidents and impressions of her recent trip to America in connection witl No-License. Miss Kvans gave a stirring address on “ Work while it is Day, and urged upon all present to do their utmost to win votes for the coming election as it is “ Votes that tell.” One new member was initiated.

The following resolutions were passed ;

1. That this Convention of W.C.T.U., consisting of women from different parts of the Auckland Province, expresses its conviction that the time has arrived when the right of people to determine the continuance of the liquor traffic oil the basis of Democracy should not be denied. It therefore calls upon the Government to introduce without delay a measure se-uring this right, at the same time making provision for taking a vote on Dominion Prohibition, such measure also to provide for all necessary amendments to the existing law as shall make effective the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box.—A copy of this was sent to the Premier.

2. That this District Convention of the W.C.T.C. records its most emphatic opinion that Mr \ . D. Day, S.M. of Timaru, exhibited a strong bias in favour of the licensed liquor trade when li*• undertook to state that practically every home in No License districts contained intoxicating liquors, and that there ire more temptations under No-License than under License. No person is honestly qualified to make such a statement, and wt are convinced that a house to house canvas of the No-License districts in the Auckland Province would expose the gentleman's total ignorance of the conditions of life under No-License.

New Plymouth and Hawera. Honour is due to Stratford, the first \uxiliary Union that has entertained our Provincial Convention, and too much cannot he said m praise of its persistent courage in overcoming, step by step, the «iifticulties it has had to face. August 19th an expectant hand of women, numbering about 30, assembled in the Primitive Methodist Schoolroom, which was as bright as hands could make it—the New Plymouth banner and Auxiliary streamers gi\ ing the touch of colour. 10.1. i a.in. Mrs Li 1 ley, President, Stratford, in a few appropriate words welcomed the Delegates, and expressed the hope that all would Im* benefited by thus meeting together. Mrs Douglas, District President, responded, and contrasted the World's Convention held in Glasgow, with the present small effort, but in name and in aim we are one, and the small etlorts were the cause of the larger gatherings. Mrs X J ones, Ngaire, elected Recording Secretary ; Mrs Jamieson, 'J'ariki, Press Reporter; and Miss Maunder, Hawera, Letter Writer. A vote of condolence to Mr Masters and family in the late sad bereavement was carried by Convention standing. Sympathy was also expressed lor the Stratford Union i■ i the loss they had sustained iu the death of their treasurer, Mrs Masters. The preamble of the Constitution was read Ik* fore the Initiatory Service, when one member joined. Parliamentary drill was entered into w ith spirit by Convention, and was helpful in showing howto put through our business with method and despatch.

Resolved I hat this meeting place on record the hearty appreciation of the Union of this district, of the splendid work done by Mrs Collis as their Organizer, and that a letter conveying the greetings and good wishes of Convention Ik* sent to her.

Mrs Collis self-sacrifice in travelling from one township to another, on butter waggon or butcher's cart when train did not suit, is still remembered and the present good work results.

//riiirin. Reorganised by Miss Powell in May, 1910. Sent Temperance wall sheets to Normanby, Makino, Mere-mere, and Ohangi. Taken up Hospital visiting, Maori collecting cards, reports meetings to local Press. Reorganised Manaia. Appointed Whitk Ribbon Agent.

Mritiijui. Keeps in touch with its scattered member: hip by letter writing. One member when h avi g for New Guinea paid four years’ membership fees in advance. Made over forty garments f>r New Guinea girls. Maori cards returned t’2, and we rejoice with Sister Nellie, who is a member, in her work of securing 20 Total Abstinence pledges amongst the Maoris, Purity and other literature distributed*

f-Jltham. Hjis Departments of Purity ami “Cradle Hull " work, also a Maternity Hag. Miss Powell visited us in May.

Nyaerc. — Has a Pooket Testament League of 70 members ; seven dozen Testaments have l*eon distributed, some to railway men. through a Home Missionary. The Departments of Evangelistic work, collecting for Maori Fund, Literatim*, (iood Citizenship, Cnfermented Wine, Temperance, Legal and Parliamentary work, are all active, In connection with Flower Mission work a large parcel of knitted garments for cdiildren has lieen sent to the Victoria Home, Invercargill. t*4 his has been spent on clothing for needy eases that came under our notice.

Stratford. — Increased metnliership, appointed “Cradle Roll Superintendent who gained .T2 members quickly, subscrilies for eight copies of White Rirbos wliich are mostly placed in homes of non-suhscrilitrs, holds home meetings and reports to local Press. Mcmliership. Turihi. —Collected dlI - for Maori work, ami sent a large parcel for Maori mothers in the Taupe district, “Cradle Roll ’ now totals *240.

Waitara. — Have sent i’l for Maori work and II -to Organizing Fund. Started “Cradle Roll.”

\>ir Plymouth. Raised I*4l and over CIO goods for Teniperance Hall fund. Cave social to s amen < f first direct Home boat to New Plymouth. Ihe following Departments sent reports :• “ He*t Hoorn, popular as ever; “Home Mectinyx,' six held ; “ Literature, enough wall sheets have lieen furnished to the Wanganui ami Taranaki F.ducation Boards for their schools, books, leaflets, periodicals for Rands of Hop**, bushmeu, railway men, *Vc., have totalled If it tit; “ Prnot," reports of meetings have lieen inserted ; “ White Ribbon,” six new subserihers, total df», four *lo/en Convention mini hers sold ; “ Cradle /‘oil I lit; “ Prison Work, hard work, hut much satisfaction in some directions; “ Leyal and Parliamentary," unusually husy ; “ liorca* Work,' donating clothing, board and lodging, Cc. ; “ Maternity Bay,'' is quietly doing very good work ; many “ Maori " collecting cards are now waiting to be called in.

On the adoption of reports being moved, the President congratulate*! the Unions on Hie large amount of good work done in all the Departments, hut especially had she noticed the readiness with which the Press is l»eing used for furthering the work, and the able manner in which the Parliamentary work is tackled The Kvangelistic work done by Ngaere Union was worthy of imitation, and the smaller Unions did not forget the importance of the Purity work, llie increase of new members throughout the two districts of New Plymouth and Hawera had been 104. The “Cradle Roll now totals 40*2. Three new memliers were welcomed. “The Difficulties and Duties of a Treasurer, by Miss Maunder ; “ A Call to the Women of Taranaki,” by a gentleman, read by Mrs (J H. Maunder, contained just such advice as will help on the next campaigu ; “ How to Prepare for the next No Licensing Campaign, by Miss Powell ; after which the last two verses of “ All Round the World was sung to the waving of handkerchiefs. The subject of the pajier real by Mrs Kennedy—“ The Restoration of the Bible; or, Who Loves His Country Best ?”—was one to induce much serious thought. After several questions from the Question Box were answered, an invitation

was given from Ngaere to hold Convention there next. year.

Votes of thanks were passed. Minutes confirmed, Convention closed to accept further hospitality from Stratford Union. Napier.

Opened in St Paul’s Schoolroom September 7th, Mrs la*ask presided. Representatives were present from Hastings, Waipawa, Waipiikuraii, and Maori Presidents from I’aki Paki and Moteo, together with many other Maori sisters- A paper on “ Medical Temperance, Mrs Oldham, proved the injurious effects of alcohol on the human body in health and disease ; a lengthy discussion followed.

In the Theatre Royal at three o’clock Mrs Henry, of the Henry-Potts Mission, addressed a very large audience, taking for her subject “ Intemperance a Hindrance to Foreign Missions" Solos were rendered by Mr Potts, Miss Stirling, and a recitation by Miss Henry, l'en new members were enrolled.

At 10 o'clock on the follow ing morning the business of the Convention was continued, the room lieiug full of Pakeha and Maori members. Bible in Schools and Purity were the subjects under discussion. The Maori sisters are looking forward to their Convention, which is to l*e held at Paki Paki in February’. It was decide*! te hold another Provincial Convention next year. Dunedin. September L’V The morning proved lire. Nearly do Delegates attended,,Mrs Blair presided. Miss Simpson's comprehensive report of District and Auxiliary Unions met with the appreciation it deserved. Press report, Mrs Don, shewed that full reports are appearing in tin* papers of all good work done. Superintendent of Seamen's Mission gave good results. As Superintendent “Cradle Roll " Mrs Heatley reported a memltership of isj. *2OO writing pads have lieen sold during the year Papers on “ Non-Alcoholic Medication, Miss McCarthy ; “Narcotics, Miss Ma/cngarh, were productive of much helpful discussion. “ Mothers' Day, Mrs Wright, was a bright and enjoyable paper. “ Bible in Schools, Mrs Dick. A resolution was carried “That each Union appoint a local deputation to wait on their member, asking him to use his influence to get a Rilile in Schools Referendum Bill introduced into Parliament.” Mrs Cain, Band of Hope Superintendent, read a stirring paper, resulting in our asking our Dominion Union to procure suitable charts and literature for this work, also we are to repeat the offer of a prize for Temperance poems to the Competitions Committee. Musical items were pleasingly rendered by several young ladies. In the evening Mr A. S. Adams presided, supported by Rev. Mr Hay, Pastor o? Baptist Church. Both gentlemen addressed the meeting, the former making special reference to Mrs Hislop as a veteran worker, and the latter paying a very high tribute indeed to the Womens Christian Temperance Union as a factor in the upbuilding of human life. All agreed the Convention was a success, and under Cod's providence must liear fruit.