Resolutions Passed AT Convention. NAPIER 1938.

White Ribbon, Volume 43, Issue 510, 18 April 1938, Page 4

Resolutions Passed AT Convention. NAPIER 1938.

1. That the W.C.T.U. continue to press insistently for the- employment of Women Po.lce.

2. That the Government l>e urged to intioduce immediately legislation regulating the suit* of contraceptives and prohibiting their sale to young |>eople.

3 That a liequest form lie printed in ’’White Kibbon” every month.

I. That where the family of a man on suHti'iuuKt is known to lie suffering privation as the result of his drinking habits the sustenance money should Is* paid to his wife or other responsible person.

(In some cases we lielieve this is done already. Hd. W.R.)

5. That Headquarters Committee be limited to six members. The Committee shall have jK>wer to fill any vacancy which may occur during the year. The following shall tie the members of that committee for this year—Mew lames l’er>man. Porte. Ilrewer, I >avidson, (Irtgg and Mcßride.

6. That as it has been notified in the Public’ Press that it is the intention of the Minister of Education to make a distnbution of the new Education Bill to Kducatlon Boards, and others interested. this Convention requests that some early copies tie forwarded from the Office of the Minister of Kducatlon to the Secretary of the W.C.T.U.

7. That a letter beuring on the evils of gambling lie prepared by the Dominion Off leers and forwarded by District Secretaries to all Bible Class Unions.

8. Confirmation of resolution passed at 16th World Convention. “Other methods substituted instead of prohibition having proven ineffective in lessening the consumption of leverage alcohol, we declare our conviction that eradication, not rest rut* 'll!, is the only solution of the World-wide liquor problem. Delegates stood and confirmed the pledge with the words "We are willing to confirm the pledge.”

9. That an appeal he made to the Churches to keep the Sunday Schools open during the Summer holida>s.

10 The World W.C.T.U. declares its conviction that international friendship is the primary essential in the prevention of war and that this international friendship can be attained by creating goodwill Imsed on Christian principles of Justice and on political and economic co-operation to attain that Justice. We believe that the sco|>e of the league of Nations should lie expanded to include ex|>e r t studies of conditions contributary to war with a view of eliminating the couses of war. We declare for the sanctity of treaties, subject to their alteration where necesary by peaceful m'vans, for the Bnand-Kellog

I’act, for the settling ol disputes by arbitration based on international law, for the collective responsibility of nations to prevent breaches of peace and disregard of treaty obligations. To attain this we urge: the jiersonal responsibility of all citizens to learn the facts in regard to the economic interdependence of nations, and to assist m creating an internal public opinion on all proposed solutions of the problems of international i»eace, in order that governments may be supported or checked in political enterprises affecting the peace of the World. Such facts m simple form should be included in the curricula of ull schools.

11. That the Womens Christian Temperance Union press for provision to Is* made in the law for the inclusion of women on Juries.

12. That a Sunday School Temperance Department be established by the N.Z. Union.

13. That no Union circulate literature, other than our own, until it has been submitted to the Dominion 1 *reßidden t and iieen approved by her.

11. Constitutional -That Article 2 of the Constitution for District Unions be amended by the addition after the wolds "ex officio Vice-I’residents etc.,” and one other member of the Union.”

That in par. 2. Page 7, the words ‘‘Vice-Presidents” be inserted iiefore the word* "Corresponding Secretary.”

That in |>ar. 33. page 8, the words "Assistant Treasurer" be inserted after the words "Treasurer.”

IS. That in consideration of the disquieting disclosures of the Be port of the Commission on Aliortion in New Zealand, this meeting expresses its appreciation of the careful and thorough work of the Commission, and its comprehension of the many factors contributing to the deplorable state of affairs. And appeal is made to our women’s organisations to face the position and. by the education of our youth and the moulding of women's opinion, give these matters earnest consideration so as to develop* a more rational and wholesome outlook on sex matters. While realising fully the responsibility of women in thi*» matter we feel that not enough accent is laid on the i>art played hy fathers or potential fathers in provoking conditions giving rise to the crime of abortion. We suggest that any ap|»eal to the women of New Zealand to refrain from such selfish and unworthy actions will l>e incomplete unless a similar appeal is made to the manhood of our nation to treat women with respect and consideration, to realise tht* privileges of parenthood, and not to place women, married or single, in the terrible predicament which drives them to the desperate measure of al>ortion.

For every women resorting to abortion. there is a man who is res|>onsible for an unwanted pregnancy, and who in many instances not only approves hut demands its termination. The Commission has referred to economic hardship, fears of childbirth, ill-health and the strain of bearing many children too closely spaced, as contributing factors, and we confidently assert that given normal physical health, adequate attention at child-birth and a less Ixarren outlook for their children in a Worldcontinually threat ened with warfare, unemployment and economic ins«*curity, few women will shnk childbirth. l>*t us therefore affirm: That the social evil of aliortio.i is rooted in a common respombbtlit.v and that any campaign in the community must have a Joint appeal to both men and women, so that hy mutual efforts they may ensure the building of a virile and happy people.

That the Government should lie urged to alter the law in the matter of therapeutic abortion so as to make iawfui ♦ hat which is af present practised by consent, and at the same time to provide safeguards against its abuse and that two doctors must agree as to its advisability.

16. That with u view to safeguarding tho moral well-lieing of young people attending dances in public halls, and checking ,h e drunken rowdyism so often associated with such dances. Parliament lie urged to extend the powers of the police to enable them to search vehicles in the vicinity of dance hells if suspected of containing intoxicating liquors, whether in private cars, taxis, buses or any other vehicles.

17. That this Convention recommend all branches to unite in a membership campaign with the object of increasing our memliership to 10.000 (ten thousand) by the 1910 Convention.

That a Dominion Director of Memlierslilp Campaign is* appointed. That Mrs. Mitchell l*j appointed as 1 >i rector.

That each District appoint one to be in charge of new members and forward the numliers direct to Mrs. Mitchell, Dominion Director of Membership Campaign.

18. That this Convention views with grave concern the practice which obtains in some towns of lioys entering hotel liars to sell newspa|iers. and urges that the operation of the Child Welfare Act should Is* extended to provide for the control of children engaged in strt :t trading.

19. That this Convention is of the opinion that the resolutions passed by the Dominion Convention should be reaffirmed and forwarded to Government by the District Union only, the sanv* to lie signed hy the President of each branch.

20. Thai, as many women are employed hi the Public Service a woman should lie appointed to the Public Service Commission. 2i Thut where possible Unions arrange with local Picture Proprietor for .screening Temperance facts. 22. That the Government l*e urged to strictly enforce the licensing Laws. That the Government In- urged to establish an Institution, or Institutions, seimrate from Mental Hospitals, for the Reception of women who are temporarily deranged but who may respond to suitable treatment. 23. That this Convention is of the i pinion that it is high time the Railway liejiartment put a stop to the drinking of liquor on excursion trains. 24. That tlie Union continue to protest against the practice of running Sunday trains. 25. Thut Union members Ik* urged to refuse to sidmcrilH* to magazines which support the liquor trade by their advert tseinents. articles, recijies. NOTICK OK MOTION. Notice of Motion:—Miss Henderson gave notice that she would, at next Convention, move that Article 6 of the Y.P.C.T.U. Constitution I** amended by the addition after the words "IHstrict executive Officer" of the words "in the event of no memlier of the Women's Christian Temperance Union being available an honorary member may be appointed, provided that he has l>een President of a ‘Y’ Union.’