WORLD'S CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 311, 18 May 1921, Page 2

WORLD'S CONVENTION.

The Tenth Triennial Convention of the World's W.C.T.C., which met in London last April, lias come and gone, and left in the minds of all w’lio attended it the impressions of great work planned and accomplished. There were about 100 delegates present from over to countries, while the annual Council meeting of the British Worm n’s Temperance Association, which met in conjunction with the World’s Convention, contributed 1317 delegates from all parts of England and Wales. It was thrilling to hear speakers from Japan, Burmah, India, Syria, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and other places, tell of the work in their respective countries. One of the most interesting persons on the platform was Madam Yajima, who went all the way across the Pacific to America, and across the American Continent and the Atlantic, with three other Japanese delegates. Madam Ynjima celebrated her 88th birthday during the Convention, and was the recipient of a silver bowl filled with spring flowers, and several boquets, amongst which cherry blossoms, the emblematic flower of Japan, were prominent. On Sunday, April the 18th, in connection with the Convention, services were held and stirring addresses delivered b> many well-known preachers in the Estnblished and Free Churches of the Metropolis and the chief provincial centres in Great Britain. Most of the oversea delegates occupied pulpits or addressed some kind of meeting on that day. My share in the programme was an address to a men’s meeting in the Croydon Methodist Church. The most wonderful of all the day’s service was that in Westminster Abbey, when the Bishop of Croydon preached a semen from “Woe unto the world because of offences, for it must needs bo that offences come, hut woe to that man by whom tlie offence cometh,” and thrilled the hearts of the 100 delegates who occupied reserved seats in the historic Abbey, by making special reference to their world’s work, and saying that the Women’s Christian Temperance Union had cleared themselves from all complicity with intemperance and all the evils therefrom. The notices in the London Press were ridiculously inadequate, and to me ap peared like a boycott, but the force re-

presented by that vast body of women, united in high purpose, cannot be ignored even by an unsympathetic Press. It was a great Convention, and there wen* some thrilling moments, especially at the opening devotional meeting, at which 1 had the honour to preside. When, after the Memorial Service, con ducted by Miss Slack, the great audience, led by the pipe organ, sang “From earth's wide bound, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams the countless Host, Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Allelujah,” followed by an inspiring speech by Mrs Mary Armour, who is one of the most forceful speakers I have ever heard, how we thrilled at her declaration, "When 1 unsheoth the sword 1 unsheath it never to replace ft,” and told as that faith in God was Hie key to success. Another thrilling moment was at the noontide hour, when :to<»o women bowed their heads and one of the delegates led in prayer. And still another was when Mrs McNamara, wife of a Cabinet Minister, at tin* request of the Convention, left the meeting to try and arrange with Mr Bonar Law to receive a deputation on the Temperance question, the great audience silently watched her leave the hall, and then, unannounced, rose and sang the Crusade Hymn, “O God, our help in ages past.” Again, when Dr. Jowett appeared in the meeting, and at the unanimous request of the Convention, stepped into his own pulpit (for we had gathered in his church), and after welcoming as. gave a three minutes talk on the power and cost of indium, and asked what the united power of consecrated womanhood might accomplish. Lady Carlisle, the President, is a wonderful personality, exacting involuntarily from everyone homage and respect, even when differing on some points. lam not surprised that all seemed agreed that her regal appearance and bearing, her fiery harangues, her courtesy to each and all would never he forgotten. The programme of the Convention was so full that 1 found it impossible to attend all the receptions given to oversea delegates. There was one given by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the Mansion House. Another was given by tin* National Temperance League. Lady Victor Horsley, the Countess of Portsmouth. the Lady Battersea. Lady Howard and others acting as host esse. .

Lady Henry Somerset was kept, away by the death of her sister. The Wesleyan Temperance Committee also gave an evening in the Library of Central Hall, Westminster, Lord and Lady Umb, with others receiving the guests. The Baptists’ Women's League, the Committee of the Y.W.C.A., and the British Women Citizens' Union were among Hie many who entertained the delegates. At all these receptions a musical pro gramme by London's best artists was given, and refreshment provided, the welcome speeches were responded to by representatives from overseas. I was to have spoken at the Women’s Citizen League, but went with a group of speakers to Glasgow, travelling by the night express while the reception was being held. It was a disappointment to have missed the opportunity of meeting so many prominent women, amongst whom were the following: Mrs Herabai Tata, the women suffrage leader of Bombay, Mrs Fawcett, the veteran British suffrage leader, Miss Harriet Newcombe and Miss Hodge, Miss Vida Goldstein. Mrs Olive Schreiner, Mrs Despa id and Miss Maud Hoyden. The guest whom the delegates were invited to meet was Viscountess Astor, Member of Parliament. Through the kindness of Mrs McNamara, I had the pleasure of meeting Lady Astor in the House of Parliament after my return from Scotland. It is difficult to convey in words alone an adequate idea of the peculiar charm of Lady Astor. Mother of a large family, to whom she is devoted. she is as pretty, as fresh, as active and as 'unassuming as a young girl, while her lively and witty remarks with the tremendous force behind of genuine honesty and high purpose carry weight which no mere statesmanlike speech can do. Astor, Lady Henry Somerset and others are in favour of the nationalisation of the liquor traffic, and very many in England are on their side. Those who advocate the policy are generally sincere in thinking that it would greatly mitigate the evils which attend the traffic, and that it would probably be a steppingstone to Prohibition later on. The W.C.T.U. women know tin* fallacy of these views, and how great a failure nationalisation has been in the countries where it has been tried, and a strong resolution against it was passed at the Convention. In the afternoon of the opening day

quite a number ol gentlemen as fraternal delegates were received by Miss Agnes Slack, and as they were introduced each one spoke for a few minutes. Among the number introduced were: The Rt. Rev the Bishop of Croydon, Dr. W. L. Reid, Mr Joseph Malins, Dr. Harford, the Rev. J. Milne, Mr Harry Mainer, Mr Guy Hayler, Mr Emil L. J. Hohenthal, Mr Don and Mr Cowie, from New Zealand. Those of you who are intimate with Temperance literature and temperance work in the world, will at once recognise the warriors and veterans in the above names. During the Convention, Professor Gilbert Murray gave a most interesting address on the League of Nations, and a resolution supporting the League was passed. Miss Gordon, speaking for the American delegates, said they were strongly in favour of it. The Right Hon. Leif Jones, President of the United Kingdom Alliance, also addressed the Convention on the position of England today. A spectacular demonstration, organised by Lady Cecilia Roberts, was given one evening, and as I was unable to be present, Mrs Cowie mast give the details. A procession round tin* hall of L'. r >l girls, representing the different countries where the W.C.T.U. is organised. Group 1, the World’s W.C.T.U., carrying a globe encircled by the White Ribbon; Group 2, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, in quaint Handinavian costume; Group 3. the Sisterhood of the Far East, in Oriental robes of rare b«*auty; Group I. South America; Group 5. Africa, voicing tin- cry of the native races for protection from strong drink; Group 6, the British Empire, a fine, bright-faced, clear-eyed company and they were holding high the banners of Australia. New* Zealand, Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales; Group 7. Canada, land of the Maple Leaf, in possession of almost total prohibition. The last and most conspicuous g»oup was specially illuminated to show it was math* up of countries that had full Prohibition. including Finland. Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the United States of America. A fine effectiveness was given to the pageant by the use of great branches of feathery green and sprays of flowers, held aloft by the marchers on tall poles, the whole making a moving picture of exquisite beauty. Important resolutions and declarations were passed on State Purchase Law

and enforcement citizenship, Social Morality, Peace, and the League of Nations; but tlie most important of all was that in favour of world-wide extinction of the liquor traffic, which reads as follows: “World democracy, world peace, world purity, and world patriotism, demand world wide extinction oi the liquor traffic. We call upon the peoples of all faiths and of all organisations in the world’s family of nations to clasp hands and to co operate with the World’s Wo men’s Christian Temperance I’nion, and help to bring to full fruition its hope'j and its dauntless service of thirty-five years on behalf of a sober wor’d. {Science declares against alcohol. Health conservation and business prosperity demand total abstinence and the outlawing of the liquor traffic. Together we will agitate, educate, organise, and legislate until the exalted vision of the founder of the World’s Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Frances E. Willard, is realised. Until the Gospel of the Golden Rule of Christ is worked out in the customs of society and in the laws of every land." After Miss black had read her condensed summary of the world's report, which showed an increased membership of 153,930, Lady Carlisle said they had heard an heartening report of work done, but how few were the labourers in the vineyard. It was no use feeling emotionalised and thankful for what had been done unless it led to dedication to themselves to do more, and to do that which cost them sacrifice. They would want the widow’s mite as well as the huge sum that bad been given by the leading country in this work —the United States. More direct gifts were desired to the funds of the Union, and each one present was asked to promise to get an annual subscriber. She knew of no other organisation that had been so self-supporting as to exist entirely upon its own members' subscriptions. The new paying subscriber need not necessarily be a total abstainer, for this once they would give the moderate drinker the privilege of sharing in their great work. Donations paid in during the Convention totalled £157 Is 9d. Lady Carlisle promised £l5O a year for three yearn’ mission work, also a donation for the work among the coloured race. South Africa £7O. and a donation for work in Burma £€o.

Canada promised 50 dollars for two years. Feeling sure New Zealand would ghe their quota, I withheld my donation, • hat we might combine in one amount. The National British Women's ToniIterance; Association donated to the World's W.C.’F.U. £lOl 16s Id, the collect Lms received at the evening meetings. Several presentations were made during the Convention, one sent by the Governor of Maine committed to Mrs Tuiniley, President of the Union in that State, took the form of a beautiful flag, artistically inscribed, with the appropriate words “I lead” in Latin (“Dingo”). It was sent in commemoration of the establishment of Statewide Prohibition so many years ago in Maine, the home of General Neal Dow. the first State in the world to abolish the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors by legislative action. The Hag, in fact, came from the State Executive Chamber, over whose dome in 1914, for the first time in history of the States, tin* flags were placed at halfmast in honour of a woman, Mrs Steyens, the late Vice-President of the Union. Madam Yajima presented the Japanese flag to Lady Carlisle, and the U.S.A. delegation a beautiful gift of emblematic silver teaspoons from each State in the Union, and a magnificent Old Glrry, v’ith its Stars and Stripes, each star representing a dry State. Several delegates from far-off fields gave flags or emblems from their various countries, while the wealth of flowers that were presented to the President and some of the world’s leaders made a bank right across the platform, the greatest wealth of floral tributes presented to Lady Cecilia Roberts, whose birthday was celebrated the same day is Madam Yajima. The I,ady Cecilia then presented copies of the picture, “The Sisterhood of Nations,” to all the delegates who applied for it. The Convention was entertained at luncheon daily in the great Central Hall, Westminster, by the National Temperance League and other kindred societies. During the session the London Press reported that there were over a million visitors in the already over-crowded city, yet doors of hospitable homes opened wide to receive the World's Wide White Ribboners. We went perfect strangers to the Kendra Hall, Croydon, and left no more as strangers, but as friends

ever. The British Women’s Temperance Association collected £3OOO for the entertainment of the Tenth Triennial Convention. Beginning with the United States and the Overseas Dominions, the roll included delegates from some fifty nations of the West and East, beginning with Bulgaria. Germany in a pathetic letter said they could not afford to send delegates to the loving “fellowship of the Convention.” Miss Von Hertzcn, from Finland, was splendid in her luave attempts to speak English. Madam Laveleye, of Belgium, met with an enthusiastic reception. Miss Prion from Denmark, Tru Inga Zapffc from Norway, each had an interesting story to tell. A remarkable personality was Miss Hardy ilia K. Nowillc, from South America. She gave thrilling accounts of the degradation of women in those lands, and how they were holding out pleading hands to the women of more fortunate lands to come and help them. Mrs Stewart, from South Africa, spoke on the prohibition of the sale of liquor to natives, and introduced a member of the coloured Union. A coloured member from Canada was also introduced. I should love to tell you of tin* American leaders whose names have been familial to us these many years, and of many well-known workers, including Mrs Barton, from Scot bind, but time will not permit. I will conclude with a quote from the “Christian Herald”:—“The great hall was a delightful sight, packed with women even to the upper gallery, must of them charmingly dressed, nearly ail with fine alert faces, all eager to hear and see and take part. It was also an inspiring sight, not only in itself, but for what it symbolised, woman hood united to bring Peace, Patriotism. Total Abstinence, Prohibition, Child Welfare, throughout the world.” To be of such a company is a privilege indeed. It made us think of Mrs Katherine Stevenson’s hymn: “Joined in God's cause heart to heart, hand to hand. Each one a part of the White Kibbon Band. Each hut a unit, hut each counts for all. What though our place and our labour be small? Our part be but to obey Hus great call, Wo all belong, we all belong."