TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 213, 18 March 1913, Page 2

TWENTY -EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

Held at Nelson, March, 5-13, 1913.

That was a merry party which embarked on the Pateena at Wellington on Monday, March 3rd. Forty strong were we, some of our comrades having preceded us, while others were to follow . The weather was perfect, and the sea so smooth that there was no excuse for anyone being seasick. A few retired to their berths for awhile, but all rolled up on deck to enjoy the charm of Queen Charlotte Sound. Our contingent included the New Zealand officers, the Organiser, and sundry District Officers Superintendents of Departments, Delegates, etc. (ireat was the joy t ver the fact that our beloved resident had sufficiently recovered to 1 c with us, and many were the conclaves and committees on the deck, where serious questions were discussed. We were of all ages, from grandmothers to young girls barelv out of their teens. Hut some of the grey-haired matrons rivalled the younger oms in the lightness of their spirits, for weie they not enjoying the delicious sense of unwonted freedom from responsibility and the society of beloved comrades in the light ? Sad to relate, Pelorus Tack had not returned from his long holid iv. though we procured excellent photos of him at Picton, upon which \u descended like a swarm of bees. For the credit of the W.C.T.V., “tell it not in Oath, publish it not upon tile walls of Ascalon,” no sooner 1 ad the N.Z. Organiser set foot upon the gangway tli tn she was promptly taken possession of by the police ! However, after a short period of detention, she was released and handed over to a Newtown Delegate, who undertook to shepherd her and return her safel) to the boat. Such purchasing took place that one stationer was heard to remark trade had not been so. brisk for inanv a long dav. Our President hunted up local officers, who later on came down to the boat to bid us God speed.

Arrived at Nelson, Miss Atkinson came upon the scene (accompanied by the \oung daughter of the Secretary) a t 7 a .m., and speedily displayed the qualities of a general. Our luggage was handed o'er to an expressman, and two brakes were piied high with White Ribboners, while President and Organiser, who, like delicate blooms, must not Ik* crushed, were despatched, in state m a landau, the whole thing being so methodically arranged that no confusion occurred, and each woman, when landed at her hospitable home*, was able* to discharge he*r shire of the liability. And Nelson —lovely Nelson—w as just as charming as ever, the charm being e juulled only by the w armth of the welcome so kindly bestowed upon the guests. The Reception, w hich was held in the Provincial Hall, prettily situated in the Public Gardens, took place on Wednesday afternoon, the chair being taken by Miss Atkinson, the local President, the seating capacity of the hall being taxed f, » the utmost. Loving hands had been at work, and the walls were decorated with a large number of handsome banners. After the singing of “All Round the World,” a nd prayer by the Rev. W. Baumber, Aliss Atkinson, at the close of a happy little speech, called upon the Mayor to gi\e the visitors a civic welcome. He was followed bv Bishop Mules, Rev. W. Lambert (representing the Ministers’ Association), Mr. Yerco (representing the No-License League), and Mr. W. T. Bond (the Good Temnlars). The last-named gcntloman, referring to the early days of Temperance work in Nelson, stated that the 1.0.G.T., having read of the Women’s Temperance Association, wrote to them, suggesting affiliation, which was duly accomplished, a representative of New Zealand being placed upon the Executive. .Mrs. Cole, who looked somewhat frail after her recent illness, received a great ovation when she rose to reply. Colonists from England find this country decidedly lacking in historical remains, but Nelson appears to 1 e rich in reminiscences from a Temperance point of view. Mrs. Co'e referred to the fact that Mrs Muller, the first New Zealand advocate of Womens Suffrage, resided in Nelson province, and that Mr. Alfred Saunders—to whom, with Sir John Hall, we

women are greatly indebted—at one time made his home in the eitv. Seated at the front of the platform were three tiny tots dressed in white and with white hair ribbons (who presented handsome bouquets to our N c w Zealand I resident), Airs. Mules, and Airs. Sadiier (the wife of the present Bishop, who, as Bishop Mules explained, was just then absent from Nelson). Vocal solos were contributed by Airs. White, of Christchurch, and Aliss Wady, of Kangiora, and a welcome cup of tea brought to a close a most successful gathering. M.S.P. On Wednesday evening a devotional service was presided over bv Airs. I pton, Wanganui. Short addresses and testimonies were given, prayers offered on behalf of the work, and lor the restoration to health of sick and absent sisters. A quartette party rendered two sacred items in a verv pleasing manner. It was felt to be an hour of spiritual uplift, and an auspicious opening for the Convention of 1913. K.S.I). On V ridav evening a good audience gathered in the Hall to hear Airs. Ben did v read her paper upon “Work for the Knfranchisul.” An interesting discussion followed, and the following resolution was passed : desires to draw attention to the fact that while the masculine ideal of worn.oi demands purity, the laws which have been placed bv men upon the Statute-book of the Dominion prescrtla* for offences against the person and purity of girls and women a scale of punishments which are not only verv much lighter than those prescribed for offences against property, and whu h are in many cases quite inadequate to the protection of that which men profess to pri/e so highly in women. The Convention therefore urges that such amendments of the C rimes Act be made by Parliament at the earliest opportunity as will raise the age of consent to at least 1K years, and provide adequate punishment for offences against the person and puritv of girls and women.’’ On the Sabbath evening the Convention sermon was preached in St. John’s Methodist Church by the Kev. \V. Baumber, who delivered a very fine and sympathetic

discourse from Matt. 2n, 13, and Mark \r, 8. The sermon was greatly appreciated by the large number of \N hitc Rihhoners who attended. Miss Wady, of Rangiora, sang “() Divine Redeemer. Mrs. Peryman preached in the Richmond, Brightw ater, and Hope Methodist Churches. and Mrs. Evans, M.A., at the Nelson C ongregational Church. Miss l’owell addressed a Sunday school and a Young Women’s Dibit Class, Airs. Dick also addressing a Y.W.8.C., while Aliss Dick sang a solo.

On Monday evening Mrs. Kvans, M.A., of Wellington, delivered a very interesting and instructive address on “The Responsibilities of Women as Citizens,” urging women to exercise the vote upon every possible occasion, especially deploring the neglect of the municipal vote on the part of both sexes. Women being now eligible for seats upon School Committees, balneation Boards, c haritablc Aid and Hospital Boards, and Municipal Councils, should regard these rights us solemn responsibilities. The following resolution was carried unanimously

“That this Convention, recognising the litness of women for work on Educational and Charitable Aid Boards, and the valuable training afforded in these for a larger sph.re in the iuture, desires to record its appreciation of the work already done on these bodies by women in all parts of the Dominion, and strongly urges Delegates to make every effort in their respective districts .it the forthcotning April elections to secure one or more women as candidates for each School Committee and Charitable Aid Board.” After a vocal solo by Mrs. Elliot, of Dunedin, Miss Roberts addressed the meeting upon “The Economic Independence of Husband and Wife, and the Co-guardianship of Children,” and her humorous sallies evoked repeated bursts of applause from the audience, which comprised a large number of Nelson residents. Ihe speaker set forth the injustice of the husband in being able to dispose of—<*s his—the money which the work of both has amassed, also giving instances where children had been ruthlessly torn from the mother and given to someone else, the unmarried mother being the only one who has full rights in her children,

Ihe following resolution was passed :

“This C onvention protests against the disabilities under which women at present suffer in the guardianship of their children, and calls upon Parliament to amend the law in the direction of gi'ing women equal rights with men.” On Tuesdav evening Mrs. Cole presided.

Kive-minute speeches were given I>V certain Delegates of the Convention oil the lnneficial effects of No-License in the districts thev represented. Mrs.* Hoxall, Wellington South, said that from personal experience among the homes of the poor, and from opinions expressed by the shopkeepers, a great impro' aunt in the conditions had been made bv the carrying of No-l.ictnse.

Mrs. A. Mitchell and Sister Moody Bell (Invercargill) stated that the value of hotel properties under No-License had risen by nearly Hub per cent. The municipality h, t d undertaken a large water scheme to cost about j£l(>o,ono, a tramway system, new business premises, and houses had been built. The following resolution was carried : “That this Convention expresses its profound gratification at the results of Xo-Lictnse as evidenced bv the reports of the Supreme Court at Invercargill, where on four occasions in recent years the Judge has been presented with a pair of white gloves. His Honour Justice Williams expressed his satisfaction at the absence of serious crime throughout Otago and Southland, and as the largest area under No-Liceiise exists in these districts, the Convention regards this as furnishing a strong argument in favour of National Prohibition.” Mrs. Miller (Masterton) spoke of improvements in private homes, building of Technical Schools, Supreme Court, three motor garages, sixteen new shops and new private residences.

Mrs. Flanagan (Masterton) quoted from the answers given in reeponse to a series of questions sent tc business people, which were distinctly favourable. Airs. Hughes (Auckland) said that in Grey Lynn property values had increased. There was an extension of the tramway service. Seventv-one per cent, of the homes were owned by the occupiers. In

the -Mount Eden district there was a. demand for property. The Avondale racecourse was within the NoI.icense area, the races 1 eing conducted without the sale of intoxicating liquors.

Mrs. Watson (Ashburton) said that in spite of the many misstatements made by people, numbers of new houses were being built A new Technical School, a nurses' home, up-to-date theatre, and a new Farmers’ Co-operative building were in course of construction or just built.

It had been remarked by the head of a lirm that did business in advancing loans “That business had decreased because considerable loans had been paid off.” A lady visitor had said that she had noticed that while in Christchurch shoppers said, “Have you nothing cheaper ?” in Ashburton they said “Have you nothing better ?” Regarding the effects of No* License on ti.c C hurches, extension and re-huilding were I>eing carried out by the Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Ahthodist communities.

Mrs. Judson spoke of All ertland, a settlement 70 miles north of Auckland, on Kaipara Harbour. This settlement, which was fto years old, had never had a license —thanVs to the adherence to the principles oi the first settlers. Attempts had been made to force a license on the port of the district, hut so far it had been unsuccessful. Miss Powell, representing Oamaru and Balclutha, spoke of the increase in business in those districts.

Miss Roberts, representing ()ainaru and Gore, said that it had lxcu said bv residents ot Oamaru that under No-License the town did not manufacture a new crop of drunkards In Gore there had been a rise of 2."* per cent, in land values. One of the hotels there had been converted into a temperance hotel, was enlarged, atid paying 1 etter wages to its employees. Clutha had been a No-License district for seventeen vears. There was no crime, no poverty, no idleness, and nianv had never seen a drunken man.

Mrs. Pervman (Wellington Suburbs) spoke of the installing of a water system, drainage, and gas. At the conclusion of the speeches Miss Powell addressed the “Y Inion.

On Wednesday evening a grand concert was held, which was well

patronised by the members of the Convention and the general public. CONVENTION IN kECk KAT lON On the Saturday afternoon five drags and a landau left the Church Steps, and almost a hundred visiter;. and hostesses had a most charming drive through orchards and hop-grounds, feasting their eyes upon the beautiful scenery of Nelson district. Arrived at Hrightwater, afternoon tea was enjoyed, provided by the Nelson Union. The party returned about 7.:in p in., after a thoroughly enjoyable outing.

On the following Thursday afternoon a large number of visitors and friends made their way to Fairfield, where they were hospitably entertained by Mrs. and the Misses Atkinson in their lovely grounds. M.S.l*.