CONVENTION 1938.

White Ribbon, Volume 43, Issue 510, 18 April 1938, Page 1

CONVENTION 1938.

To White KihVioners in March all i oads led to Napier. I >elegates from Kaipara to the Bluff turned their faces to Sunny Napier. And Napier lived up to its reputation, for the whole time of Convention the weather, was perfect, and Old Sol delighted so much to watch Convention that he never once veiled with clouds his face. Napier passed through the ordeal of earthquake and hie. hut from Its tragedy has^ emerged « city which is a beauty and a joy for ever. Standing on Marine Parade, with its glorious evening display of coloured lights extending for miles, its beautiful trees of many colours and its fountain, a gorgeous display of rainbow hues, we felt as did the Neapolitans of old and could say as they said. “See (not Naples) Napier and die.” Nothing more perfect will you see this side of the celestial city. And across the blue vaters of the bay stand the Kidnappers as sentinels tc guard the lovely land. Many arrived by train, and were met y reception committee and hostesses nd soon were settled in their tempory homes, the arrangements being perf ct. »)ne daring Y. the Dominion Y Treasurer by the way. drove her own 'oi from Northern Wairoa to Napier, l i< king up Mr. and Mrs. Alex MacClure • a route. Blenheim’s energetic White Ribbon A cent, so anxious to receive personally Pie Banner for most White Ribbon new übscribers. Hew across Cook Strait in ; ne to catch the express leaving Weltigton at 9.4 u a.m And one and all ere ready and waiting in the Foresters* Hall for the reception. Splendid udience! What a greeting of old friends and meeting of new ones! But soon all settled down. The District '’resident. Mrs. Hickman, was in the cnair and welcomed delegates on behalf of the District Union. The Maori Y* delegates gave a welcome and present-

<d Dominion Officers with shoulder sprays. \\ elcomes were extended by the Deputy Mayor, the Churches and Temperance and Women's Societies. Some very tine musical and elocutionary kerns were much enjoyed. Mrs. Hiett, Dominion President, thanked all for their warm welcomes and invited visitors to attend sessions of Convention.

Thursday morning opened with a fine devotional session conducted by Mrs. H ett, and it gave a fine inspirational tone wheih was such a distinguishing feature of this Convention.

The reports of Coriesjionding Secret iry and Treasurer were given and gave a record of steady, though slow,

progress. Tne President’s address, published in full elsewhere, was the special feature of the afternoon session. Friday morning at nine o’clock found delegates gathered at Trinity Church lor the Communion service conducted by Rev. Odell, assisted oy clergy from sister Churches. Reports occupied the morning session and the afternoon subject was “Peace.” Miss Kathleen Courtney was unable to lie present and so the time was spent in considering how iiest White Ribboners could help

in creating an atmosphere of peace which should banish war from our I lanet. It was noted that in the preamble of our Constitution, written over half a certuiy ago. the W.C.T.U. stood for the establishment of International Courts of Justice to abolish war. A very tine discussion taken part in by many delegates was enjoyed by ail. Saturday was the Y’s day; the morning devotions were conducted by them and the evening's entertainment was largely provided by their Speech Competition. The musical items were excellent and Mrs. Lewis. Napier President, is to be congratulated upon the very flm talent secured for concert, reception and social functions. Saturday afternoon the delegates enjoyed a bus drive to Hastings. They were welcomed by Mrs. Wilson. Hastings President; shoulder sprays were presented to Dominion Officers. Afternoon tea was served and a most enjoyable time was spent. (lifts of fruit from Hastings’ orchards were very much enjoyed. On Sunday morning Church Parade was held in ttie Presbyterian Church and tiie service was conducted by Rev. France. Mrs. Kasper conducted service in the morning at Congregational Cnurcw and gave a special address to the children. In the evening a broadcast service was taken by Mrs. Feryinan, assisted by dedegates from Y Contvrer.ee. Mr. Hex. MacClure, Mr. JanieSmith and Miss Elsie Bramble taking part. MEMBERSHIP. The Treasurer’s report brought home to all how very vital is the question of membership. The Treasurer only reports on financial membership. No member is counted in her return unless her cap tation has bepn paid. So the membership is easily counted —no 7d.. no member counted. But the Constitution provides that membership Joes not lapse until mem-

l*cr is two years in arrears with her l’ue. Hence the difficulty of accuratel> estimating our real membership. Delegates were urged to place before their l nions the urgent need for every Union to send a report of its real membership lo the Corresponding Secretary. Many Secretaries neglect to answer this question on tlie questionnaire sent out. I ‘LEASE TAKK NOTE OF THIS. Unions are asked to undertake a vigorous campaign for new members and to report each month to Mrs. Mitchell the number ot new members guinea during the month and these will Ik* published in the White Ribbon. At the close of ber report the Treasurer maue an earnest appeal to all to close up our ranks, to work diligently to interest young mothers in the need lor total abstinence, and that licensed evils should lie abolished for the protection of our homes. WHITE RIBBON REPORT. This was given by the Editor. The year opened with 3051 subscribers and closed with 2300. The financial position showed a very slight increase in debit balance and plans were made and free services offered to reduce cost for the I resent year. Very hearty thanks were given to White Ribbon Agents, a band of devoted workers, to printers, to associate editor and to all who bad assisted in the work. Mrs. Peryman was re-appointed Editor and Business Manager; Miss Atkinson, Associate Editor. As Mrs. Peryman had completed 25 years’ service as Editor and Business Manager, on behalf of the delegates Mi's. Biewer I resented her with a handsome suitcase to commemorate the occasion Mrs. Peryman thanked them for their gilt, and also for their loyal co-operation through tier years of service. For the tiist time a Banner was given to the Union gaining most new subsi'riiieis from Poll vent ion to Convention, bleuheini carried off the banner with II new members, Wellington Central 38. Kiccarton 28. MAORI RHIDHT. Mrs Whatu, Hamilton’s delegate, spoke to the Maori report. She told of the difficulty experienced by Maoris when coining to visit sick friends at Hamilton Hospital, and of the great need for a hostel to be Built for them She had taken many into her ow n home ;nd knew how urgent was the need. She had placed the case before the M.P. and the Government and asked the W.C.T.U. members to assist her in pressing fir tins hostel for "my Maori people.” HEAI M R A RTEIUS REPORT. This was presented by Mrs. Brewer, Hon. Secretary of Headquarters Committee. The Treasurer reported that the debt had been reduced by £44 and urged that Unions should keep before them he goal of having Headquarters free of debt by 1940 as a memorial to our pioneer women. The building has been maintained in good order and the grounds improved.

The following Committee Were elected tor the year. Mesdames Brewer, Crigg, Davidson, Poite, Mcßride and Peryman. PIONEER WORKERS. Papers on pioneer workers were contributed and read. These will appear in cur columns as space permits. They were;— 1. Mrs. Dewar —written by Miss Dewar. 2. Mrs. Atkinson —written by Miss Kirk. 3. Miss Roberts —written by Miss Henderson. 4. Miss Powell—written by Mrs. l*aterson. 5. Mrs. laivell-Smitb—written by Miss M. B. Boveli-Smith. PLANS OF WORK. 1. Membership campaign. Increase our members. 2. Educate by literature, window displays, posters, picture dims where possible. Home meetings. The Moral display of membership was very preity. Each delegate as she marched by placed in the vases a llower tor every new member her union had gained. 284 Mowers repr* seated 281 new members. WORLD CONVENTION. Mrs Kasper gave a most interesting talk on her journey to England, her visit to tne Coronation, to World/Convention j.iid to Pan-Pacific Conference. She brought much valuable information and was heartily congraiulated upon her appointment as World Superintendent to the School of Methods Department. Mrs. Kasper brought greetings from World President, and from Michigan State Union a collection of Mower seed. These were given to delegates io take to unions, and next Convention we hope to see some blooms from Michigan seeds at our Convention. BANNERS. Ihe banners were presealeVl by the President: — Mt. Eden -for greatest percentage increase Hi membership. Carterton for greatest actual increase m membership. Nelson for largest Cradle Roll; Core a good second, only 1 liehind. Brooklyn for largest C.R. for Union with under 30 members. CONCLUDIN<! SEHV!CE. Mrs Paterson .inducted the service of memories a.'d "i oke feelingly of those v* ho had passed within the veil: Mrs. Hiett gave fine consecration address, speaking of the life su»rendered to God and of His loving interest in t very details of our service. The singing of “God Be With You” brought to a close our Fifty-third Convention. VOTES OF THANKS. These were very inclusive —entertaining Union, hosts and hostesses, press, performers, decorators, ladies who provided afternoon tea, Convention Letter vVriter.

In returning thanks to Napier Union Mrs. Hiett said only one thing we were not thankful for Wiia the mosquitoes. Jn replying to vote of thanks Mrs. Lewis expressed th* hope that these inse< ts would be so fond of delegates that they would leave Napier to follow them.