The White Ribbon THE 25th ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE TRANSVAAL WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 403, 18 February 1929, Page 4

The White Ribbon THE 25th ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE TRANSVAAL WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

This wv held in beautiful Pretoria, one of the fairest South African cities, on November Gth, 7th and Bth, 1!)28. All over the cltv, beside scores of streets, the lovely Jacaranda tribes w*ere in full bloom, and slu'd a blue and nvauve and purple lustre, and the exquisite blue hells on the trees, and the dainty mauve carpet* of fallen bells below, proved most interesting and fascinating. Bows upon row* there were! It was an ideal time to visit Pretoria.

Our Convention was held in the delightful Committee Room of the City Hall, and was presided over b\ Mrs Donaldson, the Transvaal I Resident, who has recently come from Hnglaml and from the Lausanne Convention, of which she gave us interesting details and stressed the Scientific and Educational Depart ments of our work Reports were given by tw r enty-two delegate* and Superintendent*, who had come from all over the province. There was a spirit of progress and advance shown, and an effort made to encourage and awaken the young to do good work in various departments. More and inor*» are the Afrlkaand branches gaining in enthusiasm, and asking for literature and for leaders, and this Is very splendid for the future of our land. The Mayor gave us a delightful reception his very first and Mrs Fnnals, our South African President, spoke of Lausanne, and begged us to follow the lead of prohibition countries, and to discourage the sale of alcohol to black and white, and to S(*ek for the Enfranchisement of our women, that we may have greater influence on our rulers. A Young Pi-ople’s Reception was fine of great interest. The gold medalist of a Recitation Contest favoured us with a selection; beautiful songs and addresses and inspiring words cheered us, and most charming bouquets of flower* were presents to every speaker. Mr* Christie. President of the Civic Association of Pretoria, sounded a clarion bell, and begged us all to prevent some new laws from beiing enforced, which are planned to give municipal beer to our natives. Thus far. natives have been under prohibition regulations, and we greatly fear that the interests of the liquor sellers will prevail, and are fighting them earnestly and daily. Mrs Christie outlined practical methods which we mean to follow. Yes, in our beloved World’s President’s words. “We are winning.” It may not be that the founders of our T’nions in the Transvaal will see the victory, but we will lay foundations. have visions and faith and trust to the youth of our land to “carry on” bravely, and to enjoy the rewards