The Dunedin Convention.

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 202, 18 April 1912, Page 1

The Dunedin Convention.

Tut: poets sang about “woman in Iheir hours of ease, hut the reports at our Convention prove that the women of our grand Union are far from women of ease themselves. Neither are they “ umv-tain, coy, or hard to please, while all along the sweet undertone rang—- “ When pain and sickness rack the brow, A ministering Angel thou.' What a time of preparation it had been ! Clothes to prepare, food to cook, house to have in beautiful order * Anxious counting up of surplus shillings, to see if they could 1»e made to do the work of missing pounds, and then—the journeys ! From Auckland's sunny harbor. From Southland's arctic ends, From Westland s fernclad hillsides They come—these faithful friends. White ribbons on each mantle. Warm love within each soul. Unfaltering faith the watchword, Our Homes and Heaven our goal. The reception hall was gay with flowers, flags and banners. Ihe tea was delicious, the audience enthusiastic, and the programme far from monotonous. The Major’s cautious utterances brought

out the magnificent speech of Mr A N. Attains, the iMinedin President of the Reform Council. Mis definition of a moderate man was sublime. *• A moderate is a man who will never allow his soul to l*e tired with enthusiasm for a good cause ” Mrs Cole, gracious, tweet, and womanly, also ministered a well-deserved

reproof when she replied by saying, “W e mothers are not here to i*otect monopolies, but men." The Convention meetings were full of interest. the w ide range of subjects to be re. ported on, keeping the unflagging attention of the delegates. Miss Kol>erts was like a spicy bret/e m her remarks on almost every subject. We never grew tired of our comrade s ready wit. Mrs Bendely’a balance-sheets provoked unlxtunded admiration. They were a marvel of simplicity ami comprehension. The “Garden ” I’arty on the Saturday was held in the Hall, but as White Kiblnmers carry their sunshine and their fragrance w ith them, we w ere all as happy as if “ under the spreading heavens. The official organ, The White HiUnm, w ill be full of the splendid reports of Superintendents. 1 only wish you could all have heard them, and joined in the animated discussions which followed each one. The bright full hours flew l*y all too fast, but we felt “every flying minute was given “something to keep in store, and the bonds of loving comradeship were drawn more closely around every heart by the meetings of I'd 12. The song of the dear little white-roWd children as they danced around the Maypole, “ We'll drive the drink away, is indeed the echo of all our hearts, ami friends sweet and strong we clasp hands with each other till victory or death shall crown our efforts, and drink is driven away. B L.C.