AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 208, 18 October 1912, Page 8

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

Sept. 25th. Mrs. Dewar presided at the morning session and introduced a goodly number of delegates, several of whom attended lor the first time.

Reports, supplemented by verbal accounts, told of useful work done at Whangarei, Opotiki, Whakatane, Hamilton, Waihi, Wakatane, W arkworth, Morrinsville, Aratapu, Tauranga, Taneatua, Ponsonby, Otahuhu, and Auckland. All speak of a share in crusade and election work, several of the Cradle Roll ; one native one at Aratapu numbers 21, and two fresh native branches have , 1 een formed. A very young Union reports a Hand of Hope started, w ith 45 members. A new “ V branch is working hopefully. Our youngest Union, four months old, speaks of winter meetings bravely upheld in spite of roads frequently up to the knees in mud ! A thoughtful paper came in appropriatelv bv Mrs. Morrison. Subject, “ The Fitness of Women for the Franchise.” The following resolution was passed : 1. That this meeting of the Auckland District Convention is in th< rough sympathy with the aims of the Bible in Schools League, and pledges itself to render all the support in its power. 2. That the time has now come for a referendum to be taken on the qtesvoi of Bible teaching 111 State schools. The afternoon stssion was weT attended. Mrs. Pudnev presided. Mrs. Taylor read a comprehensive pi per on “ Domestic Science,” by Mrs. Driver, of Dunedin, dealing wi*'« the problem ol domestic help Considerable discussion on the subject resulted in a decision to endorse the action of the Dunedin Convention.

It was a pleasure to see Mrs. Dewar present, and this opportunity was taken to present her with a small token of our love and appreciation of her many years of service as President. The gift was feelingly acknowledged, and a few words of loving encouragement were given to all our members. Mr. Wesley Spragg addressed the meeting on the “ Three-fifths Majority Abolition ” campaign, nowbeing inaugurated, explaining our ground, and earnestly pleading for co-operation. Mr. .1. Bridge,s also spoke to the same effect. The following resolution was carried : “ That this meeting of the Auckland W.C.T.P. Convention heartily endorses the scheme outlined by Mr. W. Spragg, President of the N.X. Alliance, for the abolition of the three-fifths majority, and pledges itself to do its utmost to further the objects of the cause.”

Mrs. Betidelv forward the following resolution,* which was carried unanimously :—“ That this Convention desires to draw attention to the fact that while the masculine ideal of woman demands puritv, the laws which have been placed by men on the StatuteBook of the Colony prescribe for offences against the person and puritv of girls and women a scale of punishiiKiits which are not onlv very much lighter than those prescribed for offences against property, but which are in many eases quite inadequate to the proteeth n of that which men profess to prize, so higliK in women. This Convention therefore urges th.it such amendments of the Crimes Ait be made by Parliament at the earliest opportunity as will raise the age of consent to at least lH years, and provide adequate punishments for oftences against the person and purity of girls and women—men’s sisters and daughters, and ours.” Copies of this resolution to be forwarded to the Ri* lit ID n. the Prime Minister and the Mmister for Justice. The initiators- service w as read.