HAMILTON PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 208, 18 October 1912, Page 7

HAMILTON PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

The second annual District Convention was held in the Methodist Church. Delegates were present from all parts of the Waikato, including Alornns ville, Cambridge, Kihikihi, Huntley, and Hamilton. \Yh n the Hamilton friends took out their tickets, the clerk at the ticket-box said, “What’s on today ?” Evidently business in that quarter was unusually br.sk, for they attended in goodly numbers, and the numbers of white badges attracted attention in tlu* train. The District President (Airs. Auld) occupied the chair, and in her usual gr .cions and dignified manner welcomed the delegates, and gave an enthusiastic address to workers, commending them for the splendid work achieved at the last election, in spite of the iniquitous handicap of the three-fifths majority, which is opposed to democracy, and a disgrace to our Statute-Book. A letter of sympathy was placed on rcci rd of the great work done by the late General Booth, all the members standing.

Reports were received from : Mornnsville (Airs. Brown), 27 members. Kihikihi (Airs. Sutherland), membership started with h, present membership 17. Cambridge (Airs. Bycroft), 42 members. II unt lv (Airs. Sutton), Union suffered through nianv removals. Ngaruawaliia (Airs. Pattison), roll 21, Cradle roll 50. Hamilton (Airs. Jones), membership N 6, Cradle roll 50. Especially would we coinmend the smaii Unions who are working so valiantly. The Cradle Roll Superintendents are very much alive. Alothers enrolling and bringing up their babies in total abstinence principles. Bands ol Hope are well sustained. The Ngaruwahia Union collected for Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. Hamilton reported Educational, Aledical, and other addresses given by Dr. Rogers, Airs. Col. Fisher, and Nurse Burridge. Literature had been sent to the “ back blocks,” while fruit, llovvers, and maga/.ines had been d.strilnit d by our visitor at the Hospital. Scrap-books were being made by some little girls for sick children. Also 5081 wrappers had been addressed for the “ Home Journal.”

Many Unions reported splendid meetings in connection with Air. Bligh’s Social Purity work, which has been much appreciated.

The “Y ” Branch formed in Hamilton recently promises well. They commenced with a membership of 17, and are full of youthful 1 nthusiasm.

After the reports were received, business was proceeded with. “ The Sports Protection League ” was discussed, also “ The Repeal oi the Territorials.” It was decided to send a copy to all the District Branches, to Fe discussed at tluir next meeting. There was a lengthy an 1 interesting discussion < 11 “ The Bible in Schools,” and a res >luti<m was passed by a large majority in favour of its nst ration.

In the evening a well-attend.d meeting was held in the Method st Church. Short papers were contributed, Airs. Cochrane reading one on “ Influence,” and Airs. \\ riglev* one on “The Democratic Vote,” recommending women to vote only for men who will pledge themselves to the bare majority.” This was followed by a tin st earnest and magnificent apj cal by Airs. Brown on “ The Bare Ala-

jority ” question, Rev. ZNIr. Potts encouraged the women on the great reform which cannot he killed, and spoke of the trade which was the source of crime, misery, and unrighteousness. Alter the meetings closed, friends came to the station to wish God speed to those who had attended Convention, and as the train moved out “ God he with you till we meet again ” was sung by the members.