ANNUAL CONFERENCE, CAPE PROVINCE SOUTH AFRICA.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 223, 19 January 1914, Page 12

ANNUAL CONFERENCE, CAPE PROVINCE SOUTH AFRICA.

The .4th Annual Convention of the Cape Proviiv ial Women’s Christian Temperance Cnion "as held at Yitenhage during the closing clays of September, and was attended by over fifty delegate?* from the various centres. The Conference opened on Saturday morning, when the executive Committee met to consider some important matters to lay before the Convention, and in the evening a prayer meeting was held. On Sunday afternoon a united children’s service was held, suitable addresses being given by Mrs Mackenzie, of Kimberley, and Mrs Howard Sprigg, of Capetown. Following on this service was another service held in the Town Hall, when the annual sermon was preached by Mrs Dewar, of King William’s Town. On Monday morning the business sessions opened, presided over by Mrs Hartnoll and Mrs Sprigg, Vice-Presidents, in the absence of Miss Solomon, who had :dread> left South Africa to attend the W orld’s Convention. After the opening service of prayer and praise, the “Declaration of Principles 7 was read and the Pledge repeated by the delegates in unison. The Corresponding Secretary’s report having been submitted and adopted, Mrs Hartnoll read for Miss Solomon her President ci 1 address, which was full of loving counsel, words of encouragement, and practical suggestions. In the course of this very able address Miss Solomon spoke of the great outstanding feature of the year, viz., the first Convention of the South African Women’s Christian Temperance I'nions, wlun delegates from all four Provinces had met in conference in Natal in May last. Phis gathering had marked a great forward step in the history of the White Ribbon movement in South Africa, and the bonds of union between the provinces h.id been strengthened. Referring to the Local Veto Campaign, Miss Solomon pointed out that although the

measure had been thrown out in the Senate, there was no need to be dis couraged, but urged greater earnest ness in the coming campaign, “for,” continued the writer, “we do not acknowledge ourselves to be beaten. We have suffered a repulse, but we shall advance to the attack with greater ardour and the wisdom borne by experience. Let us make a point in every In ion of studying the liquor problems, and the effect of Local Veto in other lands, where it has been tried, and then if we earnestly wish to see similar reforms here, let u> work whole-heartedly to secure Local Veto in the I’nion of South Africa. 1 here is educational work for all our branches to do. Do not wait until Parliament meets, but begin at once and supply our Senators with reliable information on ~»e subject.’’ Miss Solomon then alluded to the “Commission on \ssaults on Women,” saying it was impossible for any earnest man or woman to read this report without feeling that the whole question of the liquor traffic needed attention, and that a more de termined attempt must be made to en force the observance of existing laws in order to limit the evils .is much as possible. As Christian women, we can not afford to be indifferent in this matter. There are many grave questions facing us to-day. So many wrongs to be righted, and evil to be faced; so many rights to be jealously guarded. Are we women of South Africa going to be bigminded and big-hearted enough to take our place and help in the sola tion of these problems? Minding to the visit of Mr Maurice Gregory, of the “International Federation for the Abolition of the State Regulation oi \ ice,” MLs Solomon urged upon all to take the opportunity of this visit to gain information on the subject, saying we would never rest until we had secured the repeal of these Acts, which are an insult to all tru«* womanhood. The writer touche 1 on Women’s Suffrage. As a body the members of the W.C.T.U. were in favour of women having a voice in

the making of law? which they equally with men have to obey, and the movement is lowly but surely progressing. Women of every grade in iife were needed who would help by their various experience and points of view. It was a matter of rejoicing that for over jo years the W.C.T.I . had been a growing force for riglneousness in South Africa, and if the places gained were to be held every new oppoi (unity that presented itself should be seized. In closing tins very comprehensive address, Miss Solomon made an earnest appeal to the younger women to come forward, and not allow anyone to make them think that the temperance question was a narrow one, but invite every girl to join, because she would find sac b wonderful opportunities for all her talents, be* they few or many. Ihe reports of the various departments of work which were submitted during the tour days' sessions were intensely interesting, showing progress in many directions. 'I here had been a decided me lease in membership. him very important resolutions wore | issed, among them the follow,ng : I hat this Convention expresses its em| hatie disapproval oi am s< heme for me nationalisation or munic'ipalisatinn of the Liquor traffic, and urges the I’nions to carry on a campaign in their localities against • ny proposal ot this nature, because we stand for Prohibition.” Ihe following officers were unanimously re-cle< ted : Pres., Miss Solomon, ( apetown; Vice Pres., Mrs Hartnoll, Caietown, and Mrs Sprigg, Capetown; Rec. Sec., Miss F. Stapleton, Capetown; Corns. Sec., Mrs Mackenzie, Kimberley; Treas., Mrs (jeard, Port Kli/abeth; Y. Secretaries, Mrs I). Brown, ('apetown, and Miss Stead, Kimberley; Editors “White Ribbon,’ Mrs John Brown, ( apetown, anc! Mrs Sprigg, ('apetown. F. C. STAPLETON.