CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, 1912.

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 207, 18 September 1912, Page 7

CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, 1912.

HELD AT KAIAPOI. Reception on Tuesday evening. Delegates welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. R. Wylie) and the following citizens: —Rev. .1. Holland (Anglican), Rev. A. Mitchell (Methodist), Mr. Goring (Baptist), and Messrs J. 11. Blackwell, W. Bla/ey and K. Harrison (representing Temperance Societies). .Mrs. Cole, on behalf of the delegates, in a few well-chosen words, thanked the speakers for their heartv words of welcome. Musical items were rendered and refreshments handed round, and a most enjoyable reception was over. The following morning Mrs. Colepresided, and delivered an address on “ Organisation.” After a discussion on the subject, the following recommendation was made : “ That each Union in the District should devote two da vs in each year to the work of circulating suitable educative literature, es-

peeiallv in those districts where at present no Union exists.”

A discussion regarding the aims and objects of the Sports Protection League followed. Delegates reported as to the influence oi the League in the various districts, and the lollowing resolution was passed : —“ 1 hat this Canterbury District Convention of the Women s Christian Temperance Union now assembled considers that the time has come when tne real motives of the * so-called ’ Sports Protection League should be made widely known. Recent resolutions passed bv tiiat League go to prove that it has been organised for the protection ol the totalisator. Keeling hat the public need protection against all lorms ol gambling, we earnestly urge the young people ol our hoc Key, ioothall, cricket, and other associations who are being invited to join the League to acquaint themselves with the real motives of that organisation before joining.”

The resolutions on the Defence Act earned by the annual Dominion Convention were endorsed.

A resolution was carried unanimously protesting against the proposal to establish military detention canij s or barracks, since it was kut that military rule should not be allowed to supersede civil law.

The following resolution was passed :—“ That this Convention protests against the unnecessary details of all assault, abortion, and such like casjs being published in the daily papers, and more especially by a paper known as * John Norton s Truth,’ feeling assured such reading tends to demoralise and not uplift the youth of our Dominion.”

At the afternoon stssion a discussion was held on the subject of the “ Co-guardianship of Children,” and the lollowing resolution was carried :—“ That this Convention emphatically protests against the disabilities under which women at present stiller in the guardianship of children, and calls upon Parliament to amend the law in the direction of giving women equal rights with men in this matter.”

A short address was delivered on ” Good Citizenship,” and the following recommendation made : “ That the Women’s Christian Temperance Unions of Canterbury strenuously endeavour to place

women on all Boards now open to women, and to secure the inclusion of women on all other bodies de.iling with public work. ' An animated discussion took place on ” Bible in State Schools,” the following resolutions being passed with but few dissentients : (i) “That the Unions represented in this Convention arc in thorough sympathy with the aims of tne Bible in State Schools League, and pledge themselves to render it all the support in their power.” (2) “ That the time is now come for a referendum to be taken on the question ol Bible teaching in State schools.” , The following resolutions Iroin tiie Christchurch l nion were endorsed : (i) “ That this meeting expresses its hearty approval of the following recommendation of the Education t uinmission : ‘ That there should be health lessons given in every M’hool, amongst them being the moral evils of intemperance, what intemperance costs, also alcoholic beverages and their actions on the body.’ At the same time we urge the Government to give effect to these suggestions in the interests oi the future of tile children of the Dominion.”

Ollicers elected :—President, Mrs. Cole ; Vice-Presidents, Roberts and Mrs. Harrison ; Secretary and Treasurer, .Mrs. 11. Blackwell.

There was all excellent attendance at the public meeting held ill the evening. Addresses by the President and Me sd alms Wilson and M’CoitiLs, and a paper by Miss Roberts was read bv Mrs. Harrison. The lollowing rts »lution was carried : meeting desires to enter a strong protest against any legislation increasing the number of tot ills itor permits or the publication of totalisator dividends. In view of the fact that the great evil of gambling amongst our men, women, and young people is fostered by this State licensed betting machine, we earnestly urge the Government to submit the question of its abolition to a referendum of the people.”

Delegates were present from Christchurch, Ashburton, Tiinaru, New Brighton, Belfast, Lyttelton, Winchmore, Sheffield, Prebbleton, W,innate, Oxford, Rangiora, and Kaiapoi Unions,