INVERCARGILL DISTRICT CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 222, 18 December 1913, Page 3

INVERCARGILL DISTRICT CONVENTION.

The fir-t District Convention of the Southland W.C.T.U. assembled in the V.M.C.A. hall on the 12th November, and was largely attended both by local and country members, seven Unions being represented. The first half-hour was devoted to devotion. Sister Moody- Bell (act-ing-secretary in the absence, through illness, of Mis Mackenzie) then gave a resume of the work of the Invercargill Union for the year, and delegates then read the reports of the Branch Unions. Some of these have been only a few months in existence, but the reports showed that all were active, and hopeful of greatly extending their numbers and usefulness. Mrs Lee-Cowie then spoke of the work open to the W.U.T.I’., making various suggestions as to ways in which its influence might be extended. Mrs Baird then gave a short explanation of the Mission to Lepers, a branch of which has been lately formed in Invercargill. At the afternoon session plans for organising new country branches were proposed. The Convention recorded it> sense of the Joss sustained by the death of the late National President, Mrs Cole, assuring the acting-President of it* support. A large number of resolutions pro posed for the National Convention were then read and considered. Some were reserved. The following were passed unanimously “That this Convention, viewing with great concern the possibilitx of the white slave traffic obtaining a hold in New Zealand, desired the executive of the forthcoming Convention to consider the advisability of giving (‘special attention to the danger, and, it necessary, appointing a Superintendent to watch events, to gather evidence, and suggest proven-* live measures.” “That this Convention protests against any attempt to increase the numbe r of totalisator permits, «»nd regret- the attitude of the Premier when approached by a recent deputation.” “That in cases of affiliation, where several men arc implicated, each should be made liable for the whole of the maintenance, the money to be paid into Court for the benefit of the child.”

“That this Convention wishes to bring before the N.Z. Convention the desirability of a better provision of maternity nur-c- to mother- in their own homes, particularly in country districts.” “That this Convention protests against the undemocratic three fifthmajority at present necessary to carry No-License and National Prohibition, and urges (iovernment to at once remove thi- injustice, substituting the simple majority, which is all that is required on all other questions.” “That steps be taken to induce the (iovernment to bring the hotel bars under the same provisions a- other businesses with regard to hours of trading. ” “That this Convention is of opinion that sly-grog selling would be sooner abolished if it were made illegal for a convicted sly-grog seller to buy liquor in the Dominion. We therefore urge that a Prohibition order be issued against any person so convicted.” “That this Convention urge upon the executive of the forthcoming N.Z. Convention the desirability of calling attention to the danger of the influence of the- Mormons, which igaining ground in the Dominion, especially among the Maoris.” “That in the interests of peace, every effort should be made to settle disputes by arbitration rather than by international war, or by union -trikes.” Two addresses were given, one by Dr. Agnes Baird on “Tuberculosis,” and the b st means of combating it; the other by Mrs llarri-on (Tuatapere) on “Women’s Work and Influence,” both of which were much appreciated. A delegation from the Bible in Schools League wa- then introduced, and three of its members, the Revs. Kyburn, Henderson, and Bull, spoke explaining the -c heme upheld by the League, and urging it- superiority to the* Nelson system. The Convention showed it self in accord with the viewed the speaker-, and passed the* following resolution: “That this Convention, representing eight branches of the* Southland W.C.T.U., cordially eculorses the platform of the Bible in Schools League, and pledges itself to help in every possible way the bringing of the Bible into the schools of New Zealand,”

Mrs Smith (Core) then gave an address on social work open to members, after which a long and very interesting session was brought to a c loe by prayer and the* Benediction. In the evening a spectacular entertainment, “Zealandia’s Message to the Nations,” was given in the* Victoria Hall. Mrs Lee-Conic, the- organiser, has given much time and trouble to the* arrangement of the display, and has composed the songs -ung by the performers, which wa- highly appreciated. Various mu-ieal items, etc., were also provided. About was realised by the entertainment.