INVERCARGILL DISTRICT CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 232, 19 October 1914, Page 11

INVERCARGILL DISTRICT CONVENTION.

The second annual District Conven tion of the Invercargill W.C.T C. and its auxiliary Cnions was held on the 23rd September at the Y.M.C.A. The morning session opened at 10.15 a.in., Mis McKenzie (President) presiding. After devotional exercises, Mrs M<Knizie welcomed the visitors and delegates in a few kind words. Ihe minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. I he roll was called, and the* following Cnions responded: Core, Tuapc i re, Bluff, and Otautau. Reports of the year’s work were given by the* Societies responding. These reports showed most came 4 .md effective work on the part of the* members, each Cnion having a most ( reditable balance sheet. (irectings were received from Mrs Don, Dominion President, al-o Mrs Bonthron, pioneer of Temperance work in Invercargill. The Secietary read the* report of the Invercargill Cnion’s year’s work. Mrs 11. I ec Cowic gave* an earnest address on “A bird’s eye view of our world-wide position.’’ The noon-tide hour was observe d by prayer. ist. A resolution was passed approving of the* action of the* Minister of Defence in prohibiting the sale of liquoi on the* troopship Ihe afternoon session opened with devotional exercises, conducted by Mrs Moody, of Bluff.

1 he* reports heard in the morning were discussed and confirmed. Mrs (iarrett (Band of Hope* Supt.) gave a report of Band of Hope work in Invercargill; also cf the jubilee demonstration held on Max Nth, 1«> 14. The first Band of Hope report, written on 2nd May, iN >4, by Mrs Bonthron (now NN years of age), was read, and c reated great interest. Special attention vas called to the very large fc.r which the Invercargill Dist/nt l nion is responsible, and the- necessity for an increase in the number of Unions was u r ged. The following resolutions were then passed:— 2nd. “That a letter of congratulation be sent to Mr J. McCombs, M.P. for Lyttelton, for his efforts to remove the* disabilities of women.” 3rd. A resolution, expressing dissatisfaction with the* failure to reduce* the* three-filths majority handicap on National Prohibition ballot in this a denim rath I)ominion. 4th. A resolution, “That the members of this Annual District Convention agree in the opinion that provision should la* made* for the* protection of women and girls by establishing police women in the* district. This scheme has proved successful 111 other towns.” The Rev. Archer read a papei on “The White* Slave Traffic,” which gave food for deep thinking, and also much sorrowful regret that suc h traffic should exist in Christian communities in the midst of so much wisdom and civilisation. Mrs 11. Lcc-Cowie conducted .» peace prayer meeting, after which afternoon tea was handed round. Mr Baxter gave a practical talk on ballot papers and other points of the* forthcoming election. An initiation service was held, and it was decided that the- next Conven tion be held at the Bluff on Labour Day, 1915. Fills concluded the* day’s work. The afternoon meeting was attended by a large number of ministers and other friends. 'File* Convention all through was a splc ndid success, doing much to enthuse and inspire and draw the* members of the various Unions into c loser touch with one another, dispersing any feeling of loneliness or despair in the hearts of country Unions.