TARANAKI DISTRICT CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 38, Issue 451, 18 March 1933, Page 4

TARANAKI DISTRICT CONVENTION.

The Tarnaki District Convention met at Waitara on Thursday, February 16th. A Reception was held o:i Wednesday evening. Rev. Dixon occupied the chair. Apologies from the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor, who were both absent from Waitara. Meeting opened with the singing of “All Round the World,’ followed by prayer by the Chairman, who also accorded a hearty welcome to all visiting delegates. Mrs liawrence spoke words of welcome on behaf of the entertaining Union, and the Rev. Fussell also expressed pleasure at meeting so many earnest workers. Mrs Phillips, District President, replied to the welcome, and thanked one and all for their kind words and hearty greetings. Miss Howe sank “Vesper Hymn,” Mrs Cummings recited “A \jxAy for Sale,” and the Captain and Lieutenant of the local Salvation Army Corps rendered a very beautiful duet. Mrs Peryman gave a short address, speaking on the world-wide work of the W.C.T.U., of the magnificent pioneer work it had done in the cause of Peace, Purity, and Prohibition. She urged all to fight for the abolition of the Liquor Trade, stressing its racial menace, and its ever present intf rference in political and civic life. The meeting closed with the Benediction.

On Thursday, at 9.15 a.m., Convention was called to order by the President, who also conducted a beautiful devotional service, speaking from the words. “They left all and followed Him.” Letters of sympathy to he sent to Dominion President and Vice-President, and of greetings to Mesdames and Clough, and of congratulation to Mrs Chatterton, senr., on attaining her 91st birthday. Thirty-four delegates answered the roll-call. Reports were read by delegates from Waitara (membership 27). New Plymouth (120), Inglewood (26), St-atford (30). Eltham (21). Ngaere (1 D, Hawera (45), and Inglewood Y’s (38). All Unions reported work in many departments, and all had helped in every effort made for the relief of the unemployed. The noontide hour was observed. Then followed discussion on plans of wmrk. which was interrupted by the luncheon adjournment. On resuming at 2 p.m., a tine devo-

tional address was given by Miss Graham, who has lately returned on furlough from the mission fields of China and Manchuria. She stressed the need of putting God at the centre of our lives, and to show His Spirit first in our own home, and then in the wider field of World Service. Plans of work were outlined by Mrs Peryman: (1) Vigorous campaign for new members, (2) intensive educational campaign, especially increasing the circulation of our own official organ and the leaflets from our own literature department. We must advance, and be ever prepared for any service required of us. The following resolution was carried with acclamation; —“That we each return to our Unions and set in motion the plans outlined by Mrs Peryman." A pleasing function was the presentation of Long Service Badges to Mrs Phillips, Miss Taunt, and Mrs Jamison. In pinning on the badge, Mrs Peryman congratulated each on long and fab bail service. Local and District, and in two instances Dominion service, ami reminded all delegates that they had pledged themselves to fight “till death or victory.’ The following officers were elected: District President, Mrs Phillips, Stratford; Cor. Sec., Miss Drew, New' Plymouth; Rec. Sec., Mrs Hayward, Hawera; Treas., Mrs K. Tarrant, Ngaere; Vice-Pros., Mrs Exley, Hawera. Superintendents elected; Maori, Mrs Tuffery, New Plymouth; “White Ribbon,” Mrs liawrence, Waitara; Notable Days, Mrs Mackinder, Inglewood; Anti-Gamb-ling, Mrs Read, New Plymouth; Evangelistic, Mrs Arthur, Inglewood; Rackblocks, Mrs McCall urn, Stratford; Home Meetings, Mrs Hobbs, Inglewood. Votes of thanks to Church Trustees, hostesses, and the entertaining Union were passed. The Doxology and Benediction brought a most inspiring Convention to a close.