PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

White Ribbon, Volume VI, Issue 6, 18 December 1934, Page 1

PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

.w the Honolulu Conference of the ran-Pacific Women's Association no \\ r.T.l'. officer from tins IH>min»on was present, ami no report 01 the Convention from W.C.T.P. standpoint has up--1,, a red. We take the following from an American exchange. It is written j the W.C.T.I. State President of California, who was h delegate; It is a joy to l»e Istck at my woik ,tiler a wonderlul trip to the l’an-Paci-n Women’s Association Conference in Honolulu. The objects of the organisation were to strengthen the bonds of peace among Pacific people and to study lor betterment of existing social con- « 1 11 ions. Every merntser on the three weeks pie-conference and programme from August 2 to 22 tied in with our great objectives of working for (led and home and every land. Kach country had sent women of fine scholarship and wide experience In social welfare or scientific investigation, from one to three of whom were financed by each of the ten countries represented, aside from the Territory of Hawaii. Six major topics were considered: l.ducaticn, home ©com mies, health, industry, national and international relations, and social problems. Drugs, inc hiding alcohol, received consideration as a social problem, for nearly two hoars. The closing admonition of the leader of ihe round table was for the women to go home and lead the women of their countries in fighting the alcohol evil, not by organisation of a new set-up, but by putting much young blood, trained for a high type of leadership, into the W.C.T.I\ to carry out its exellent plans of work, the result of painstaking consideration through many

years. It was likewise urged that each use her influence to get social leaders to stop the thoughtless habit of serving alcoholic 1 leverages at parties. Consideration of international relations was the climax of the Conference in interest and careful weighing ol wolds. Chinese and Korean delegates, whose* countries are suffering under the oppression of .Japan, could scarcely speak without givipg as, with trembling lips, something of the woman’s side of their experience with the terrors and results of liomhardments or the oppression of their victors. One closed her remarks with, "There can be no international peace as long as there is great international injustice.” imagine the tenseness when a Japanese delegate rose to sjeeak. T hese Christian Orientals were discussing their differences before other Orientals and the Occidentals. Which would win, Christ or pat riot ism 7 In the breathless quiet of that room, broken only by the carefully chosen words of the Orientals, the Japanese women replied that the Ja|vanesc women cannot change what has happened, hut they represented women in their country who are giving themselves in life, or, if need be, in death, to the welfare of their sisters in these unhappy ountries, in whose sufferings the> suffer and wish a share. The closing thought of the Conference on international relations was: "Women standing together can prevent war.” As I went out from that meeting. in my heart I said, "Yes, we can stand together, if, like these Orientals, we stand with Christ and let Him point the way.” The next Conference will meet, proItahly, In Canada. The new President is MrsTsune Gauntlett, Peace Kuperin tendent end Vice-President of the Japanese W.C.T.U.

No count r> is jiermitted more \hiu\ 25 ti« legate?*. Tin* I'nited States did not ;i.sk for more than IT voting delegates out of deference to distant countries who ( ould send hut few representatives. All d-libeiations are held behind closed doors, but censored reports are given to the public. There are great possibilities lor tins new organisation, under the of Mrs tlauntlett. TKKItITOKV OK HAWAII CONN K NT lON. The Territorial Convention of the W.C. T.U. was held in Honolulu on the two days following the IMWV.A. Conference, with Mrs Broughton, whom you all esteem so highly, »'resident, and our beloved Mrs Anna Randolph, formerly Solano-Napa County President, chairman <>l* Convention. It was a joy to meet the fine group of women representing our work on tl.e islands, to see theii exhibits and hear their reports. How l wish yen ciuld all have heard the second number on the progrs nme, for which I was responsible. Il was a roll rail of the nations in which a representative responded to the query: “The alcohol problem in my country, and how we are attempting to solve it." Of all I saw and heard, I would rather bring you the response to that roll cal!, than anything else on my trip. As countr> after country responded, how vividly it brought home the fact alcoholic l#\erages have the same effect wherever sold or by whomsoever sold, or by whatever national method, and that effect is bad; also, that every woman interested in human welfare, as a citizen or as a leader of women, must consider the alcohol evil as a major social problem she dare not ignore.