MINUTES OF Thirty-Fourth Annual Convention OF THE N.Z. W.C.T.U.

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 287, 19 May 1919, Page 3

MINUTES OF Thirty-Fourth Annual Convention OF THE N.Z. W.C.T.U.

Held in St. Pauls Schoolroom, Napier, April 24th, to May Ist, 1919.

(Abi ldgcd.) Convention opened with Devotion*, conducted by the President, who, basing her remarks on passages from Joshua 23 and Philippians 4, urged the neces*ity for pondering on good things whence follows right acting. The whole service was deeply impiessive, and struck the keynote of earnestness and the fixed determination to continue the fight to the finish. MEMBERS OK CONVENTION. Dominion Officers. Mrs Don, Pn sident; Mrs Crabb, C hief V ice-Presi-dent; Mi ss Henderson, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs Kvans, Recording Secretarx ; Mrs Pei \ man, Kditor “White Ribbon"; Mrs Lee-Cow ie. Worlds Missionary; Mrs Walker, Maori Dr ganising Trea*urei ; Mrs Napier, “Y" Organiser; Miss Weymouth, Pravelling Secretary; Miss Earnshaw, Organiser. Visiting Fraternal Delegate. Mrs K melon Parkes. District Presidents. —Mrs Goffc, Gisborne; Mrs Venables, Napier; Mrs Smith, Wanganui; Mrs Wright, Wellington; Mrs Watson, Nelson; Mrs Brown, Timaru; Mrs lliett, Dunedin. District Secretaries. Mrs Chcllew. Napier; Mrs Judsori, Nelson; Mrs Day, Christchurch. District Treasurers. Mrs Pirrett, Auckland; Miss Taunt, New Plymouth; Mrs Grayling, Napier; Mrs Hrown, Nelson; Mrs Young, Dunedin; Mrs Lillicrap, Invercargill. Dominion Superintendents. Mrs Neal, Cradle Roll, L.T.L., and Medical Temperance; Mrs Cobb, Bible-in-Schools and Sabbath Observance; Mrs I’pton, Rest and Refreshment Booths; Mrs W’hincop, Military Camps. Delegates. —Nurse Chappell and Mrs Garroway, Auckland; Mrs Fulljames, Takapuna; Mrs Burt, Waihi; Mrs Thompson, Opotiki; Mrs Galpin, Whangarei; Mrs Chapman and Mrs Walker, Napier; Mrs Wilson, Hast ings ; Mrs Anderson, Norscwood ; Miss Webb, Ormondville; Mrs Bibby. W’aipawa; Mrs Wit ham, Ngaere; Mrs Phillips, Stratford; Miss Maunder, llawera; Miss Patterson, Manaia; Mrs Scott, Normanby; Mrs McAllister. Wanganui; Mrs Dow sett, Wanganui K.; Mrs Dorreen, Palmerston N.; Nurse Wallis, Feilding; Mrs Doull, Marton; Mrs Spar kman, P .hiatua ; Mis* Tastier, Woodville; Mr* Butler and Mrs Spearman, Wellington Dis-

trict; Mrs Bout her, Greytown; Miss Wingate, Masterton; Mrs Johnson, Petone; Mrs Lippett, W ellington Central; Mrs White, Nelson; Mrs Field, Richmond; Mrs Albrough, Wakapuaka; Mrs Moffatt, Motueka; Miss Bishop, Christchurch; Mrs Ancell, Oxford; Mr* Robinson, Ashburton; Mrs Oakley, W inchmore-Greenstreet; Mrs Prat ley. Sawyer’s Bay; Mrs Pasley, Invercargill South. Y Delegates.— Mis. Lee, Auckland; Mis. Wright, Avondale; Mi ss (ilennx, Napiei ; Mrs Bathgate, Aramoho; Mi*s Chisholm, Wanganui; Misses ( rabh and Crui<k*hank, Palmerston N. ; Miss Sutherland, Nelson; Miss Hughes, Wellington South; Miss Gainsford, Oxford; Miss Oakley, Ashburton; Miss Wagstaff, Timaru; Mi ss Seed, Invercargill. Minutes of last meeting of Convcn lion ( i«i 18) lead and confirmed. Appointments made: Committee of Courtesies and Resolutions (Mrs YenMiles and Mis Chellew), Convention Letter-writer (Miss Crabb), Press Reporters, Messenger for Mails. Resolution of condolence with M r, j Rule. Letters of sympathx to the follow mg: Miss Mason (Ponsonby, Au» 5- - land), Mrs Flanagan (Masterton), Mrs Stic him ry (Takapuna), .Mis Thompson (Feilding), Mi Driver (Dunedin), Mrs Johnson (Invercargill), Mrs Olsen (Norscwood), V Campbell (Waipukurau), Mrs Griffin ;Napier), Misses Hexes (Nelson), Mrs Bower (Greytown), Mr* Blair (Havelock), Mrs Lichfield (Blenheim), Mr Colyer (Napier), Mrs Beachy (Napier), Mrs Mann (Gore), Mrs Wilkin. Corresponding Secretary’s report read and adopted, showing 105 adult l nions, n> N Branches, total membership approaching 7(*>o. Special note of Miss Ruth Atkinson sent xxith Mrs Fawcett on deputation to Peace Conference in Paris, and their request* being supported by Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward. Resolved to cable congratulations to Mi*. Atkinson, and pass vote of appieciation to Pfinie Minister. Resolved to send telegram of sympathy to Mrs Bendely, prevented bx indisposition from attending Conven tion. Miss Henderson moved notice of motion adding Superintendents of Depart meats to Kxecutive (on behalf of Miss McCarthy). Discussion followed, adjourned to later time. Letter from Mrs Leavitt to Miss Harding (date April Sth, 1885) presented to Convention by Mrs Martin (nee Harding), being one of her most valued |>os*essions. Received xxith warm thanks by President, and directed to be handed to Custodian of Records. Noontide Devotions, Crusade Hymn and Crusade P*alm. Prayer (Mr" lliett). Reports. Evangelistic, Home and Mother*’ Meeting*, Narcotics adopted without discussion.

Educational Bureau: Suggested that paper be written for the Bureau by a doctor on effect of smoking on futuic mothers. Session closed xxith prayer. Till RSDAY AFTERNOON. Devotions (Mrs Crabb, Mrs Doull, and Mrs Cobb). Roll call, 87. Proxies appointed foi Grex mouth, Wakefield, Port Chalmers, Eden. Greetings from Wellington Central, Mr. Pearson (Wellington), Mrs Hills 'Palmerston N.), Mis* Dewar (Auckland), Mrs Gaskin (Grex mouth), Mrs Bendely, Pabiatua, Auckland Y’s, Avondale Y’s, Sawyer’s Bay, Port Chalmers, Wanganui East, Nelson Vs, Organisers’ Reports.- Miss Powell’s About () month*’ work. She then became Matron of Turakina Native Girl* School. Report adopted. Mr* Penman and Mrs lliett appointed to draw up a resolution of appreciation of Miss Powell's work. Resolved that Mi** Powell be made a Dominion Life Member. A* many delegates wished 1 nion* should have opportunity of testifying lurther their love and giatitude to Powell, Mrs lliett (2(14, George Street, Dunedin) consented to receive donations for a spec ial presentation. Mrs Cowie's. —New members obtained, ()86, nnKtlx- Somerset members and paid up; “White Ribbon” subscribers, 82. Money collected, £<>s ; expenses, £67. Balance cleared by Mr* Coxvie, who received no remuneration for her services. Several members spoke of her work in terms of high appreciation. Report adopted. Miss Weymouth's. Splendid record of achievement, both in collecting money by Lnion, and later foi Alliance, and in organising, obtaining “White Ribbon” subscribers, and gaining votes for Prohibition. Nearlx /H4OO collected altogether. Miss Henderson, Mrs Peryman, Mrs Crabb, and others spoke highly of Mi"* Weymouth’s work. Report adopted xxith great enthusiasm. Aftci rccc*s for afternoon tea, President gave her address, a fair resume of the year's campaign* and effort*, rapid sketc h of the position in othei parts of the* world, and earnest appeal to engage in the nexx campaign. Address adopted with hearty greetings. Discussion as to evening meetings during Convention. Resolved to hold on Sunday evening an after c hurch meeting on Christian Citizenship, and on Monday evening a Conference on Puritx, open to In ion members. Session closed with prayer. FRIDAY MORNING. Devotions (Mr" Johnston Wright). Roll call, 86. Minutes read and c onfirmed. Proxy appointed for kaiapoi.

Re presentation to Mes Powell, circular letter to he vent to Unions not represented at C onvention. Subscrip tions to be in bv end of July, and mon**y received to be forwarded to Miss Powell, with .1 testimonial. Re Organiser, Kxecutive rerom mended bonus of /25 be paid to Miss Weymouth from the N.Z. Treasury for her splendid work during the past year. Recommendation endorsed. DGcussion on Plans of W?rk for 1919. Mrs Cowie put forward two schemes for reconstruction: (1) That Union support .» scheme for production, on waste lands of North ~nd district, of grapes, grape syrup, unfermented wine, raisins, grape sugar, industrial alcohol, cream of tartar, etc. (2) Scheme for opening “parlours' as centres of society and home lift*. Discussion followed on provision of wholesome recreation in evening, on SoldiriV Clubs, and suggestions foi present campaign. Discussion adjourned till Tuesday. Being Anzac Day, short memorial service for those who had fallen, whether in the war or the epidemic. Session dosed in the usual way. FRIDAY A FT KR NOON. Devotions I Mr" Cowie and Mrs Cobb). Roll call, 85. Minutes read and confirmed. Greeting" from Invercargill S., X.K. Valley, Miss Powell, Bunnythorpe, Christchurch, Devonport, Papatoetoe, Mrs Moves, Rev. R. S. C i ray. Correspondence. (1) From Citize ns’ Fclu' atumal Board of Sa"katc hewan. Brief statement of present position and ac tivities. (2) Mrs Barney, Rhode Island, USA. Greetings, request for cop\ of ‘White Ribbon," and enclosing a< count of birthday party given to Mrs Barney on her 84th birthday. Resolved that a letter of congratulation and greetings be sent to Mrs Barney. (3) Tenth Triennial Convention <>t Australasian W.C/1.1 . 1 hanks for greeting, and reciprocating good wishes. (4) Committee* to deal with S<>» :al and Moral Conditions of Indian Wo men in F iji. Forw irding report of last meeting, and seating suggestions made* ard action taken for reform. (0 Department of Internal Affairs, rc* Town Planning. Conference to be held May 20th to 24th. Inviting Union to send delegates and appoint one* to read a paper on one of the subjects on programme forwarded. Cor. Sec, stated that each District I nion could send one delegate, besides three to represent National 1 nion. Resolved Miss Henderson l>c one* rc* presentative of National Dnion, and Mrs Field write* a paper for the Con ference. (C) World’s Treasurer, to Mrs Ben dely, acknowledging letter and remittance, and stating N.Z. .Union entitled

to nominate a life member of the World’s W.C.T.U. Resolved that the Dominion President be nominated. (7) Miss Agnes Slack, wishing New Zealand success in poll of April 10th, and hoping New Zealand will send large delegation to next World’s Convention, to be held in icjzo. (8) Miss Anna Gordon, acknowledging cable of congratulation on Canada's Prohibition victory, and stating intention of planning to aid in World Prohibition. Also letter a>king for W.C.T.C. exhibit ’for the* Methodist Foreign Missionary Work Centenary. Decided only some copies of “White* Ribbon’’ be* forwarded, as lost exhibit sent to 'Frisco exposition had disappeared, and nothing could he* learned about it. Notice of motion n Suih i inq*;i i< nts (Miss Macarthy’s) further c*iscu>sed, and lost. Treasurer’s Report ,m<! balance sheet presented. Receipts, /!uN*, ibs bd, Expenditure Z?7<)N Ns Sd , leaving c redit balance of «£(*)<) 14s 4 ( 1- Banner Contest won by Kdendale (percentage membership, 140 per cent.), followed by Kden {ll7 per cent.). Absolute* Membership Increase; Banner won by Dunedin, bi increase, followed by Timaru 44. Report and balancesheet adopted. Appeal for donations to N.Z. Treasury resulted in promises to amount of £SO ss. Macri Organising Treasurer's Report and Balance-Sheet, "how ing balanc e* of nearly Z,icx>. Difficult to carry on work of this department, owing to want of organisers. Mrs Harris had undertaken to do some organising, but was prevented from doing so, and eventually succumbed to influenza, after helping to nurse others. Some Cnio'i- had distribut'd liteia ture, but more could be done. Suggested that more Maori gills might be trained as nurses in the Hospitals, and that e o-opeiation might be arranged with churches working among the Maoris. Mrs Cowie reported on prog 1 ess made b\ her ward, Pani P.iku (Fanny), and asked for he lp and "\mnath\ for her. Resolved to send lotte-r of congratu lation to Mrs llarsent (nee Marie Woodhead) on her marriage. Also letter of encouragement to the 51 Maori members working, in "pile* of many didi. ulties, under leadership of Mrs No«la and Mrs Manakau. Resolved to send letter" of thanks to the* Auditors, Mr Charles Garrett, of Auckland, and Mr I). Morice, of Gisborne. Session closed with prayer. SATURD.W MORNING. Devotions (Mrs Upton and Mrs W right). Roll call, 88. Minute sre *d and « onhrmecl Resolved to provide Pani P aku with certain books she required from Maori Organising Fund.

Greetings from Wellington District Union, Auckland Re. habites (Past Chief Ruler W. Pirrett), Australasian A C.T.U. Letter received from Secretary of Retail Shop \ssistants’ Federation asking |>ermi"sion to address Conven tmn on certain proposed rc'forms. Resolved to beai him on Monday at 2. ;<». Rci lived to send spec ial letter of sympathy to Mi"" Deyyar. Reports. Scientific Tcmpeiancc, Social and Moral Hygiene, adopted without disc U""i.»n. Work Among Seamen.- B il.in. c "heet presented, showing mine-sweep-ers* effort amounted to /'1454 15s bd, of which V Branches contributed /!b> 1 <>s id, and a fuither sum of over Z-* »° -ent too late to he recorded. Letters read from lighthouse* keepers and others expressing thanks and appre- . lation for kindness of those who had • > generously sent clothing and money. Rcp.u t adopted. Prison and Reformatory work. Supei intendent Sister Moody-Bell congratulated on her yyork, and authorised to prepare circular letter for the* World’s W.C.T.C , “Prison Sun cl • > 14th Sunday in October). Report adopted. Medical Temperance. Mis Ne.il lin'd necessity of contir .ing yyork of this department, and referred t <> fine pamphlet dealing wi*h Mcohol and In Huenra. Report adopted. Convention unanimously endorsed 1 commendation of Kxecutive: I hat no business s.i|c*s of any commercial goods, outside what may be the* property of the I’nion, be carried on at Convention: and tbit all Organisers and others in the* employ of the I nion be absolutely forbidden to carry «»n such "ah ". Session closed with noontide devo tions. MONDAY MORNING, \PRIL 28th. Devotions (Mr* lliett). Roll call, Bb. Minutes read and c on firmed. Greetings from Ashburton. Mrs IVrymii presented report and balance-sheet cf the “White Ribbon.’’ Receipts /'*,.)7 ips 4th expenditure /414 <»s be!, leaving debit balance of £. 1 ib> 2d. During iqiS, p’o new "uhsc riiiei s obtained, Dunedin head ing the list with 22. Number of subscribers, . Sin. <* Convention began increased to 3000. During last two years printing had cost j£ioo more lhan yy.iuld have been the case at prewar pi ices. Also Epidemic had interfered yvith collecting of subscriptions; therefore Union t<> be congratulated on the smallness of the deficit, es|>eciallv seeing that price had not been increased nor quality lowered. DeFnit more than covered In overdue subscriptions. \poe il to Unions to get 1000 neyv subM l ibers during coming year, and to "c*c ure more business advertisements. Renin 1 and balance sheet adopted. Recommendation from Executive that deficit of £.16 is 2d be paid from

N.Z. Treasury endorsed by Convention. Proposed by Mrs Wright: “That vote of appreciation of the Editor’s work be recorded in the minutes.” Carried, proposer to draw up the resolution. Mrs Peryman reappointed Editor and Business Manager; Mrs Evans nominated Associate Editor. Usual votes of £ls for Business Manager, and £2O honorarium for Editor passed; also £2 5 for pristing of Convention number. Reports.—Literature* Balance-sheet read, showing receipts ,£33 2s 6d, expenditure £4 3s qd, leaving credit balance ot £'2B 18s qd, against which, however, was sum of £l3 13s 4d due to Messrs \\ right and Carman for printing. Report adopted. Peace and Arbitration. Very little had been done, but effort should be made to influence people towards peace, and get principles of peace inculcated into minds of children. Mrs Parkes asked whether there was a branch of the League of Nations in New Zealand, and gave some information about this organisation. She suggested that message be sent from this Convention to Peace Conference to express wish of the women for establishment of permanent world peace, and that resolution be sent to Parliament advocating formation of League of Nations Branch in New Zealand. Mrs Parkes and Mrs Judson to drawup resolutions according!}. Report adopted. Noontide devotions. Bible in Schools and Sanbath Ob servance. —Mrs Peryman warned delegates that attempt might be mace to take away privilege of the weekly hour’s Biole instruction in school hours; such attempt had been made in Port Chalmers. The right course to take against this was to elect School Committees favourable to weekly Bible instruction. In response to questions, she explained the legal position: Schools must be open for secular instruction 24 hours per week ; in schools for 25 hours, one hour’s Bible instruction could legally given through the Ministers’ Association, provided the School Committee consented, conscrt of Education Board not bring now required. Report adopted. Reports on Home Science, Flower Mission and Relief Work, Rest and Refreshment Booths, Back Blocks and Work Among Railwaymen, Notable Days, Press, adopted without discussion. Military Camps, —Discussion re welcoming wives of returned soldiers and getting in touch with them. Auckland White Ribboners had done something in the matter, and Women’s National Reserve also. It would be well to co-operate with this organisation. Several delegates promised to help in their own distiict. Suggested a special department might be set up

to deal with the matter. Report adopted. Session closed with prayer. MONDAY AFTERNOON. Devotions (Mrs Dowsett). Roll call, 87. Minutes read and confirmed. Resolutions Passed. 1. That a scries of questions dealing with the various matters that have been passed by previous Conventions be submitted to Parliamentary candidates at the coming election. 2. That seeing the Government has already admitted, tl rough two of its Departments—-the Health Department and the Defence Department—that the ordinary Widows’ Pension is not enough to keep a mother and her family, unless she either leave her young children to the care of others while she goes to work, or else resorts to charitable aid for assistance, we would respectfully urge upon their attention the necessity for giving all widows with young children a basis of pension not less than that granted to epidemic widows and the widows of soldiers. We would further venture to point out that it is not in the best interests of the individual or the State that a mother should have to leave her infant children in the rare of others while she works to support them. On the other hand, if she does not do this, part of the maintenance' of her family must ultimately fall on the State or the community through the Education Department (Charitable Aid), and her children have to carry a stigma from this source, which it should never have been their misfortune to incur. At 3 p.m. Mr Martin, Secretary of the N.Z. Shop Assistants’ Federation, waited by appointment upon Convention to ask support of Union for certain amendments in the legislation affecting conditions of shop assistants’ work, chief among these amendments being shoiter hours, a week of 45 hours, shops to close at 5.30 and 12 on Saturday, and no late night. Better dining-room accommodation, and better heating and seating facilities. Prohibition of concrete floors. Provision of rest rooms. Appointment of women inspectors for shops and factories. Questions asked, explanations and illustrations given. Hearty vote of thanks passed to Mr. Martin for 1. address. “Y” Organiser's Report presented (Mrs. Napier)— Many new branches formed, old ones visited and helped, and great increase in number of “Y” members. Interesting discussion followed; girls themselves giving details ot their work and their methods for keeping up the interest. In response to questions, advice on various matters was given to them, and President addressed to them a few words of encourage-

mont, bidding them keep pegging away, trust in God and do the right. Report adopted. Hearty vote of thanks and appreciation passed to Mrs Napier, who promised to donate a banner for annual competition. Hutment Fund organ, scr (Mrs Young) presented report. .£475 7s 6d raised, including two contributions of £IOO each (Mr Ferriman, of Ashburton and Palmerston North.) Expenses, £2 13s 2ld, balance £472 14s 2id handed over to Y.M.C.A. Letters of thanks and appreciation from Secretary of Y.M.C.A., and Minister for Internal Affairs. Report adopted. Session closed with prayer. MONDAY EVENING. Monday evening a special conference was held to consider questions of Purity and Moral hducai on. Roll call 73. Mrs Crabb presided. Miss Henderson, speaking with reference to Social Hygiene Bill, passed last year, described how the objectionable clauses, that practically levived the C.D. Acts, were withdrawn through the prompt action ot the W.C.i.U., and in view of the possibility of another attempt being made a ong similar lines, sr.e urged delegates to impress on iheir Unions the necessity of trusting die Dominion Officers, and acting immediately and unitedly according tj the instructions th.it might be written or telegraphed to them by the Executive. Mrs Cowie showed how from earliest times the punishment for immorality had fallen upon women, and men had not been called to account, but Christ’s judgment was quite different. He held up a standard of moralin the same for men and women. She explained the action and value of the life creating forces in the human body, forces instinctively used by the lower animals only at the proper times, but in man, placed under the control of his will. If the life-fluid, or semen, is not used for the purpose of reproduction, it is available tor strengthening any part of the body that requires it; bur: if wasted, the whole body is weakened. She showed how the system 0} regulation utterly fails to protect from disease, how the clean certificate given to a woman, who after treatment is supposed to be cured, is no safeguard (for she may become infected again within 24 hours), but is really a source of danger. Sin can never be made safe; no one, man or woman, can sm against the laws of purity without incurring the penalty. It was an exploded fallacy that a life of continenre w:>« prejudicial to health; were impure practices a necessity of nature, women who sacrificed themselves for meeting this necessity ought to be held in high honour, instead of befog regarded with scorn. It was time all recognised that the provisions of the C.D. Act simply ruin women, and utterly fail to protect men.

Mrs Parkes sp' ke on the political aspect of the question, of the way the women at Horne had been fighting the same battle, and urged that education must be made the chief weapon. 'J i.« many excellent headmasters in the ’Jominion could do much to influence the boys, and create a right atmosphere. The appointment of women police would also tend largely to prevent immorality, being admittedly a preventive rather than a corrective measure. Nurse Chappell, speaking with 10 years’ experience of rescue home near a military camp in England, and her further experience as a IMunket nurse, dealt chiefly wit! tne necessity for education and training. She referred to Kitchener’s effort to raise ihe soldier’s ideals, and to the American camp, whose Commander would have neither drink nor women In both cases the V.D. cases went down in number, or almost disappeared. Lack of right knowledge was the main cause of immorality. The Plunket system of training babies gave the foundation for a pure life, and from the very beginning the children ought to be taught purity, and should know the facts about life. Ihe improper feeding and clothing of children predisjxjsed to immorality. A good many questions were asked and answered; and on the motion of Mrs Peryman, the following resolution was unanimously carried : 3. That we make a determined effort this year to get women police in New Zealand. Conference closed with prayer. TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 29^Devotions (Mrs Peryman). Roll call, 88. Minutes read and confirmed. Greetings from Maipawa, Kaiapoi, and Oxford Unions, and Mrs Blackwell (Kaiapoi). Letter from Mrs Griffin, acknowledging letter of sympathy. At 10.25 Convention adjourned till 2 p.m. for the purpose of accepting Mayor ind Mayoress’s invitation to morning tea, and then to visit the Acetone works. TUESDAY AFTERNOON. Devotions (Mrs Paslcv). Roll call, 88. Greetings from Dunedin. Report presented by Sub-Committee re Superannuation Scheme for Organisers and other employees of Union. Discussion postponed. Plans of Work. —Mr Peters, President of Napier No-License League, attended Convention by appointment, and addressed delegates on the lessons to be learnt from the recent poll, and suggestions. for the next. Analysing the answers given in the plebiscite taken by his request among the members of Convention* he discussed the weaknesses in organisation for the last campaign, the causes of

defeat, and the arguments that had been successful in winning votes. He then sketched the probable tactics of the enemy in the forthcoming campaign, and gave advice and hints as to how it should be conducted. An animated discussion followed, in which many delegates took part. A letter from Rev. R. S. Gray was read, thanking the W.C.T.U. for the valuable help given by its members in the last campaign, and outlining the plan of campaign for the next one. Miss Weymouth was then presented with the bonus of £25 voted .to her for her invaluable services during the past year. She responded feelingly, and acknowledged the help she had received from Mrs Don and Miss Henderson. Report on Superannuation of Organi sers was adopted, and the same sub committee was re-appoined, with the addition of Mrs Crabb, to take further steps, with power to act as soon as it was found possible. Convention closed in the usual way. WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL 30th. Devotions (Mrs Cobb). Roll call, 80. Minutes read and confirmed. Reports.— L.T.L., and Cradle Roll and Band of Mercy— Mrs Neal again urged that Medical Temperance leaflets should be distributed with Cradle Roll cards. She explained re giving brandy for heart failure, that it was the act 01 swa 1 lowing that stimulated heart action, irrespective of the liquid swallowed. She urged that the capitation of 3d per member of an L.T.L. asked for by the N.Z. Union, should be taken from the proceeds of an entertainment, and not collected from the children themselves. She brought before notice of delegates the varied literature she had suitable for L.T.L.’s or for Y, Branches. Mrs Crabb asked for suggestions as to methods for preventing misbehaviour on part of boys and girls of L.T.L., especially when returning to their homes of an evening. Answers given included the following points: Afternoon meetings, held in rooms not used for day schools; alternate afternoon and evening meetings; placing responsibility on most troublesome members by putting them in office; careful arrangement of members in the meeting; system of marks and prizes, such as that used in Kaiapoi. Report adopted. Welcome extended to Mrs Rankin, an Australian White Ribboner. Reports.—Cood Citizenship Mrs Juclson gave 1 sketch of basic principles of this department and their practical application. (To be printed in full in later issue of “White Ribbon”) She also, by request, described the method of forming an uroan district for election of School Committee. Report adopted. v Noontide devotions.

Mrs Perymans notice of motion re proxies. Discussion showed delegates divided in opinion. President pointed out that every Union ought to keep in touch with N.Z. Union by sending a delegate to Annual Convention, and travelling expenses of su< h should be regarded as an obligation to be fulfilled before the Union votes money away to a kindred institution. Session closed with Doxology and Benediction. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. Devotions conducted by the Y’s, under leadership of Miss Weymouth. Roll call, 88. Minutes read and confirmed. Mrs Penman’s notice of motion ic proxies was put and lost. Mrs Peryman gave notice to move the same again at next Annual Convention, chiefly for educative purposes. Reports- Legal and Parliamentary —Miss Henderson pleaded for loyalty from Unions, so that when she sent out request tor united action on some emergency all Unions would at once respond. Discussion as to the Bill for allowing women to sit in Parliament. As it was possible this might pass during next session. Union should he prepared to nominate suitable women and draw up a platform. Report adopted. Resolutions Passed. 4. That this Annual Convention of the W.C.T.U. desires to place on record its appreciation of the generous treatment accorded to it by Messrs W right and Carman in connection with the printing of the “White Ribbon.” In spite of the unfavourable war conditions, they have raised the prices only as far as they were absolutely compelled to do, and have in every way placed the interests of the Union before their own personal gain. 5. That the resignation of Miss Powell be accepted with sincere regret, and that we place on record our deep appreciation of the splendid work which she accomplished for the Union during her fifteen years of strenuous service. Our Union has gieatly benefited by the enthusiasm, energy, and wisdom displayed by her in all her work, and we wish for her many years of happy and useful service in her present position in Turakina College. 6. The New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union Convention, now assembled in Napier, wishes to express its sympathy with and keen interest in the objects of the proposed programme of the New Zealand Town Planning Conference. The improvement of the conditions under which the people live has always been one of the planks of the platform of the W.C.T.U.; the Conference can thus be assured of its hearty co-operation. 7. That a remit he forwarded to the New Zealand Town Planning Conference urging that it use its influen* e with local bodies having the necessary

powers to induce them to consider the suggestion that public recreation rooms he opened and maintained .is a permanent Peace Memorial. After tea adjournment, Mrs Penman made strong appeal to l nions to ap point ‘‘White Ribbon’ agents and to make more use of the pa JVM by reporting, shortly, anything of interest. A disc ussion, arising from a iesc lutii»n moved by Mrs Smith (Wangani.i), took place as to the advisability of Unions establishing hostels young w omen. Ilasiings and Wellington South were both moving in thi-> tion. As Palmerston North was the onl\ place so far running a hostel, Mrs ( rabb explained that under present conditions a hostel could not do inoie than pay running expenses, the ref* ire the first effort must be to get wealthy sympathisers to buy or lease a house. The W.C.T.C. should take up, so far as possible, this work, lor which there was urgent need, and it would he.p the Campaign work. Finally, following resolution carried:— 8. This Convention recommends the establishment, where possible, of hostels for young women, and for mothers and children ; and further, that an Advisory Hoard be set up to advise Cnions desiring to establish s u< h hostels. Mrs Crabb agreed to confer with Mrs Wilson, of Hastings, and assise her to initiate the Hastings scheme, which it was stated the business men of that place would be willing to finance. Resolutions Passed. g. This Convention desires to express us sympathy with the aims and ideals of the League of Nations Society, and would urge the Government id take immediate steps to inaugurate such a Society in the Dominion, in order to support the Imperial Parliament in the effort wh’th is bring made to establish a permanent and abiding peace. 10. It now being recognised that the State should provide for the mainten anco of c hildren who are deprived ot their fathers, this Convemion, while resolutely standing for purity of life and the absolute sacredness of the marriage tie, would ask that the claims of the children of unmarried mothers may be recognised. 1 his is asked: i in the interests of the children, who, coming into the world with a stigma attached to their birth, have more claim on the State, that they ma\ be able to become useful citizens; 2nd, in the interests of the mother, that in the struggle to regain her self-respect, she may not be handicapped by the difficulty of providing for herself and her child. This gave rise to considerable discussion, and Mrs Cowie moved the follow mg amendment: “This Convention, while resolutely standing for individual purity of life and the absolute sacredness of the marriage tie, yet feels that the help-

less child of the unmarried mother should be protected and cared foi by the State; and to this end uiges that adequate provision be made lor the child, while making clear that the sin of tin* parents has no countenance from Society <*r State.” In answer to certain criticisms, Miss Henderson pointed out that the question of pensions was already safeguarded, and these* would be withdrawn it the* mothers did not look afte r the* children properly. The chief purpose of the resolution was to secure that the* child Humid be kept with the mothe r for the* sake* of the rerunning and elevating influence ef mother-love*. Amendment was 10-. t, and original mot ion carried. Convention adjourned for tea till 7.30 P-ni. WEDNESDAY EYF.NING. Prayer (Mrs Harrow ay). Roll call. 68. Report ot Sub-Committee for Syllabus of Examination for Organisers presented. Syllabus was drawn up with a view to the* future ; standard of education constantly arising, "o Or gp.m-ers of the future must be* fairly well educated. They would take* up this work as their life work *>r profession, and would cxpe*ct to have to spend some time and money in fitting themselves for it, exactly as in other professions, especially seeing that it was proposed to arrange foi superannuation. The* s andard of English required was only such as any intelligent girl was expected to reach after two years at a secondary school, and other subjects only such as every Organiser must know, to Im* successful in her work. The Question Box was opened, and various matters e*f interest dealt with Resolution! Passed. 11. The* Annual Dominion Convention of the* Women’s Christian Temperance t nion of New Zealand, now sitting in Napier, desires to make an earnest appeal to the Synod of the Anglican Church to bring forward a motion t< (“stablish a Chureh of England Women’s Total Abstinence Society on the lines of those in Great Britain. 12. That this Convention heartily supports the following reform*, in our educational sys'em: (1) T ht* standardisation of school books (2) the model nisation of school buildings and furniture; (3) free school books and requisite-* (4) forty five children to be the maximum in any class under the charge of one teacher; (5) extension of oi>en-air classes; ((>) provision for larger play-grounds; (7) free and compulsory medical and dental treatment of children in State schools; (8) a complete and compulsory system of continuation schools up to the age of 18; (0) consolidation of schools in rural areas; (10) inclusion, in the training syllabus for teachers, of scientific instrut tion in sex hygiene and the effects of alcohol on the human body.

13. That in the interests of the women and girls employed as shop assistants throughout the Dominion, this Convention desires to support: (1) a 45 hours week ; (2) »he abolition of a late night; ( ,) the proper covering of concrete floors* in shops; (4) the ap|K»intrnent of women inspectors to look after tin* req urcnients of women and girl employe! s Session closed with prayer. Till RSDAY MORNING, M \Y Ist. Devotions (Niiim* Chap|>cll). Roll call, Si. Minutes read and confirmed. Vote of thanks to Mis Easley for her trouble taken to ensure comfort of delegates lunching at the Tro< .idero. Resolutions Passed. 14. That the Women’s Christian Temperance l’nions of the Dominion press resolutely for the appointment of women police, by sending resolutions to the Prime Minister and to the Minister of the Police Department, also by deputation as our Legal and Parliamentary Department may advise; and further, that every I nion be instructed to ask all Parliamentary candidates for their electorate at the coming election whether they support this demand. 15. That Government be urged to fix the age at which persons can marry at 18 years of age for both sexes. It was explained that at present girls could b<* married at 12, and boy sat 14 years according to English law, and su< h cases had been known to delegates, even in the Dominion. Mrs Pcry man was granted leave of absence to go and address the, elder scholars of the public school, the headmaster of which had asked her to do m>, after hearing her speech at the Christian Citizenship meeting on Sunday evening. A deputation had been arranged to waif? on tlu* Bishop and bring before him the resolution passed during the preceding session, hut ow ing to unforeseen circumstances requiring the attention of the Bishop, the deputation h.id to be postponed till after the close ot (.'(invention. Resolution moved by Mrs Cowie. We, the delegates of the Women’s Christian Temperance Cnion, have looked with sorrow on the sin and suffering caused by intempeiance in our land, as in othei lands, and we come to you to beseech your earnest help in the effort to reach the women of every church on behalf of home protection. Wo realise that our Society has not reached all the Church members, and we would respectfully ask you to devise ways and means of winning the* women of your Church for the* uplift of those who have fallen through drink, and to save the young from falling. Can you form in your Church a Temperance Society and unite all women for this great and Christ-like work ?

This to be sent to all Churches. After further discussion on Plans of Work, the election of Officers was held, Mrs Penman and Mrs Young being appointed Tellers. The result was the practically unani inous re-election of all the Dominion Officers. Noontide devotions. Superintendents of Departments were appointed a*> follows: Social and Moral Hygiene: Webb, Ormondville. Literature: Mrs Mow lent, Wellington. Good Citizenship: Mrs Duxfield. The remainder were appointed in a block, being the same as for last year. President expended a greeting of good wishes and farewell to Mrs Parkcs, who would have left the Dominion before next Convention; al>o to Mrs Judson, who expected to leave shortly for India. Both briefly responded. President also referred to the greeting brought by Mr Bailey from the women of Vancouver, to whom a greeting should be sert in return. Session closed in usual way. THURSDAY AFTERNOON, MAY i. Devotions (Mrs Ry'lands Brown). Testimonies giver by delegates to the help and inspiration they had received from the Convention. Roll call Ba. Greetings from Oxford. Minutes read and confirmed. Mrs Walker re-appointed Maori Organising Treasurer. She expressed willingness to act again, provided Unions would assist her in the ways suggested. Grants mad * from X.Z. Treasury for telephones for use of President, Corresponding Secretary and Editor of the “White Ribbon.” Resolution passed. That this Annual Convention of the W .C.T.I . desires to place on record its high appreciation of the valuable M*rviees rendered to the cau>e of Temperance by Mrs Peryman as Editor and Business Manager of the “White Ribbon. It congratulates her on the ability that has secured the high literary excellence of the paper, as evidenced by the testimonies received from vaiious parts r.f the world, and upon the fact that unfavourable conditions of the war and epidemic have been met without incurring anv appreciable debt, and without either raising the price or lowering the standard of the paper. This special minute of appreciation to be placed on the Minute Book. Mrs A. R. Atkinson re-appointed Custodian of Records. Votes of thanks were passed as follows : To Mrs Cow ie for the organsing work done by her in the middle of a severe winter in Central Otago and Southland, resulting in a gain of nearly 1000 new members.

To Mrs Judson for preparing report for the typewriter. To Mrs Napier for the services she* had rendered to the “Y” Brarches a> Honorary “V” Organiser. Notices of Motion. (i) By Mrs Peryman: That as Unions may now choose as their delegate any member in their own district, Article 111. of the Constitution be amended by deleting the words, “No proxy shall be appointed, etc.,” to the end. (>) By Mrs Field: That all Dominion Superintendents of Departments piesent Cor.veniion shall have a seat on the Executive, except at tic* meeting at which they are nominated. Invitations for 1920 Convention received from Wellington, Palmerston North, Dunedin : Wellington accepted. Financial result of the “Y's.” evening was a credit balance* of ns ejjd. Sunday night’s collections, £.5 ys fid; garden party collection nearly j£io, divided equally between Hastings Cnion and Napier Union. In accordance with resolution passed at New Plymouth Convention, that one collection be always taken up during t'onvention or. behalf of N.Z. Treasury, ns <>ld was handed over, and Hastings’ Union generously donated t<> Treasury its share of the garden party collection. Further discussion t*f plans of Campaign work. Afternoon tea recess. Mrs Lee-Cow ie again outlined her schemes, and after discussion, the fidlowing resolutions were passed:- - (1) That this Convention urges that when licenses are removed, the need of eac h locality shall be met by members of our Unions, in conjunction with other societies, in providing “parlours” or other places to give “Home Life" to lonely lads and others. (2) That this Convention rec >.ninencls ihe promotion of the* g T ap»* in dustry for the production of raisins currants, unfernicnteu wine grape jellies .Hid beverages, cream of tartar, grape sugar ami industrial alcohol. to prove that tin* W'.C.T.l’. is for constructive, and not onl\ for destructive, work. Votes of thanks were passed to the following The Hosts and Hostesses. 'The Entertaining Unions. The Trustees of St. Paul’s for use of the schoolroom. The Press. The Adjutant of the Salvation Army for the services of the hand in leading the procession on Sunday evening. The Organisations who provided afternoon tea. The Rev. Richards for preaching the Convention Sermon. dhe Hastings’ Cnion for the garden partv, and for the donation to the N.Z. Treasury. Convention brought to a c lose by singing Hymn 84, and prayer offered by the Dominion Evangelistic Superintendent,