CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 220, 18 October 1913, Page 7

CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

Convention \\a> opened in Methodic S<'hootroom on Tuesday, September qth, at 2 p.m. A good attendance was present, including Lady Stout, from Wellington. Mr- J. McCombs, President of Christchurch District l'nion, occupied the' chair. Mrs \Y. T. I,ill opened \\ith prayer. Mi' Lill wa- appointed Recording Secretary, and Miss Henderson Reporter to Chiistchurch “Press” and “ l imes," and local paper. During the* afternoon the* executive discussed several mallei- of vital importance to the- organisation. Lady Stout spoke on the deputation to Parliament re “proper provision being made fo* ‘drink’ patients.” It wa- resolved that a letter of symparuy be *cnt Mrs Blackwell. of kaiapoi, in he r illness. Mrs P. Hansen closed the session with prayer. In the evening a public reception was held m the Haring Square Church. Mrs \\. k. W atson presided. Ihe White Ribbon -ong was sung, and prayer offered by Rev. \Y. |. Kliiott. Mrs W at-on, as President of the Ashburton Cnion, extended a hearty welcome to the* delegates. Addresses of welcome were' given as follows: “Ministers’ Association, ’’ Rev. W. J. Kliiott; “Borough Council,” Mr J. T. M. Priest; “Hand of Hope,” Rev. T. R. H. Wooloxall; “No-License Council,” Mr W. J. Brown; “Independent Order of (ioocl Templars” and “Rechabites,” Mr 11. Ilopwood. Mrs McCombs, President of Christchurch Cnion, Mis Trot (Timaru), and Miss M. S. Powell (Dominion Organiser) thanked the speakers for their kind reception. During the evening vocal and instrumental items and recitations were rendered. I'he Wednesday morning session opened with prayer by Miss M. S. Powell. The President gave a short opening address on “Work and Inspiration,” and concluded with a glowing tribute to the mentor) of the late National President (Mrs Cole). Several members spoke very feelingly. The following was carried, all standing

“We, the' members of the Canterbury Provincial Convention of the W.C.T.C., desire to express our profound sorrow for the lo>> of our honoured and well beloved President

(Mrs Cole). Her promotion to higher service* has deprived our organisation throughout New Zealand of a wise and noble leader, and we* hereby place on record our deep appreciation of the unwearied and devoted service she* rendered for so many years to the White Ribbon movement. We recognise that it idue to her capable leader-hip as National President that our numbers and influence have increased so greatly of late years. We thank Cod for her beautiful life, and her many and varied capabilities con-re-rated to ihe furtherance of ever) reform tending to the uplifting of humanity. We rejoice that her pathway through the dark valley was bright with holy peace and joy, and calm tru-t in Cod’s love and care, and we pray that her example may strengthen us to carry on the work -he has laid down, until for us, too. ‘the* day dawns and the shadows flee away.’ We tender to her husband, daughters, and relative's our heartfelt -empathy in their great bereavement.” Mrs Stewart (Christchurch) -poke on the matter of erecting a national memorial to the late Mrs Cole, whose desire had been to erect W C.T.C. rooms for the comfort and convenience of women and girls in Christchurch, and explained what was being done in the matter. After discussion, the following resolution was unanimously passed : “That the* time is now opportune* for the N.Z. Cnion to procure headquarters, and we consider the building the Christchurch Cnion have in view would be most suitable, and especially so, a- it is intended to be* a memorial to our late beloved President, Mvs Cole.” Reports of work done during the year were received from the following Cnions : Christchurch (District), Timaru (District), kaiapoi (District), Ashburton (District), Oxford, Rangiora, Belfast, New Brighton, Lyttelton, Sheffield, and Winchmore. The following resolutions were passed after considerable discussion : “That this Convention views with alarm the attempts now being made to introduce* Premium Bonds into the Dominion, and urges that the* publication of advertisements inviting investment in them be prohibited.” “That this Convention i- strongly in favour of women having equal opportunities with men of entering the

public service of the Dominion, and 01 women having equal opportunities with men of promotion therein.” “That thi- Convention urges that proper police supervision be provided in all districts where* a publican’s license has been granted.” “that this Convention protests against any attempt to increase the* number of totalisator permits, and ie grets that the Premier gave a sympa thetic answer to the deputation which recently interviewed him.* “That in cases of affiliation where several men are implicated, each should be made liable for the whole of the maintenance, the mone*\ to be paid into Court for the benefit of the child.” “That all (iovernment institutions in whic h men, women, or children are cared for should be under the control of board- elected by popular vote.” The* luncheon adjournment was taken at 12.30, and the Convention resumed it- afternoon -itting at 1.30 p.m. The following further resolutions were carried;— “That a woman inspector of gaols be appointed for the women’s side, and that -ome of the* official women visitors be given the* powers of Justices ot the Peace.” “That persons of either sex, who have been convicted for sexual offences, and who are beyond the age of reformatories, should be adjudged moral degenerates, and should be* detained in special institutions for an indeterminate time*, the sentence to be subject to revision at stated period >; also, that the institution for these cases should be of the nature of a farm colony. “That tin- Convention 1- glad tr -c*c* that an effort i- being made to raise the* age of marriage, but is of opinion that the age should be* ih years for women and 2 1 for men.’’ “That in the case of young persons of either -ex who appear before the* Magistrate’s Court and are adjudged mentally deficient, tin* Magistrates should be given power to order such persons to an in-titution for the feeble-minded; and that the in-titu lion in which it 1- proposed to detain these* person- -hould be of the nature of a farm colony—the sexes being rigidly segregated, and the case- classified in various cottage homes; also that, a- far as possible, thi- institution -hould be* made* self

supporting, the inmates being paid wages for work done; this having been proved to have an excellent mental effect. In order to make the colony self-supporting, the articles produced by inmates should be sold at ordinary market rates." ‘‘That Convention draws attention to the fact that the smoking carriageare not always placed at the front or rear of the trains, and would respect fully urge that for the comfort of the non-smoking travelling public, especially women and children who have occasion to pass through the train, all smoking carriages should be placed either at the front or rear of the train.” “Tha this Convention i- of the* opinion * hat the extinction of slygrog selling would be hast°ned if it were made illegal for a convicted sly grog-seller to buy any liquor in the Dominion, and we therefore urge an amendment of the- law, in order to make a conviction for sly-grog selling carry with it a prohibition order against the person convicted.” “That a letter, expressing the loyal devotion of the members of this Convention, be forwarded Mrs Don (ac t-ing-President).” Airs bill opened the afternoon se--

f.ion with prayer, after which Miss Henderson, M.A., gave a review of the progress made in humanitarian legislation since women had been enfranchised. it was moved and seconded: “That Miss Henderson be asked to prepare her paper, ‘Twenty Tears of Progress, lor publication in ‘White Ribbon/ and moo copies be printed in pamphlet form, and distri buted to the l’nions.” Also: “That Convention protests against the difficulties under which women al“present suffer in the guar dian-hip of their children, and tails upon Parliament to amend the law in direction of giving women equal rights with men.” Mi Ss M. S. Powell -poke* on the* Democratic Note Campaign. The following resolution was passed: “That this Convention heartily endorses the Democratic Pledge Campaign, and promises to support it, believing that in all elections the bare majority should rule.” An excellent papei on “Eugenics,” by Miss L. Smith (Christchurch), was read. Miss Henderson, M.A., moved the following resolution: —“That in the opinion < »t t hi - Convention, sex phy>i-

ology should be imparted to children in public schools." Mr- Fell’s paper on “Labour Colonies” was read, and briefly discussed. It was resolved: “That the next Provincial Convention be held in Christchurch on Wednesday and Thur-day. September i.Xt’n and icjth, 1914." Mrs \Y. T. bill was unanimously elected Secretary and Treasurer for Convention.