DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

White Ribbon, Volume 17, Issue 9, 18 October 1945, Page 5

DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

NORTH AND SOUTH CANTERBURY DISTRICT llth, 12th and 13th September.

The North and South Canterbury Districts held their United Convention at Waimatc in the Kaos Presbyterian Hall, opening on Tuesday, the 11th, at 2.30 pm. The Mayoress, Mrs. Boland, extended a welcome to delegates assembled.

Mrs. Duckett, Waimate President also welcomed the visitors.

Mrs. C. W. Barrel!, North Canterbury President, was voted to ihe chair in the absence through illness of the South Canterbury District President, Mrs. W. H. Robinson.

Flowers were presented on behalf of the Waimatc Union, and a solo wae sung by Miss R. Colville. The Pledge was reaffirmed and greetings were received from Mrs. Robinson and Miss Henderson

The appointments were: Letterwriter, Mrs. Black; Reporter, Miss Tooley; Mistress of Courtesies, Mrs Ashton.

Motions of sympathy were passed with Mrs. Pcryman, Mrs, Ca\e, Miss Fyfe and Mrs. Douglas. The North and South District Secretaries presented their reports and read the Treasurers’ ttements for their respective districts. The reports disclosed a good year’s work; active Bands of Hope, a keen interest in Temperance Education and progress in Youth Work; the hope being expressed that Youth Work would show an increase with the coming of peace.

The President urged that Unions approach the local School Commit tees asking to get posters and temperance films into the schools.

The question was raised regarding the work of other vromen’s organisations, and it was pointed out that whatever they do was done by the W.C.T.U. sixty years ago and the Union is the only one opening it« meetings with devotions. The Licensing Commission was discussed and it was agreed that the "Trade” had condemned itself.

The position regarding members where no Union is functioning wa* brought forward and it was suggested that they be kept in touch by correspondence. Branch reports showed some improvement in membership and that regu’ar meetings are held, definite departmental work also being recorded

A number of Unions had asked for the Government to have hotels closed on V.J. Day for the peace celebrations. Regarding the “White Ribbon" several l T nions reported sending it to other organisations and to local libra ries and rest rooms. The importance of subscribing to it and of getting it into circulation among non-members was emphasised

The need for the regular systematic distribution of literature was stressed \ number of Unions report this. Wednesday

A communion service, held in the Knox Presbyterian Church, and conducted by the Rev. J. Thompson, opened the second day. Roll Call was answered by thirty delegates, seven being first-time delegates to Convention. Mrs. Robinson’s resignation owing to ill-health was received with regret. Mrs. Barrell spoke words of appreciation and thanks concerning the faithful service given by Mrs. Robinson over a period of years. The election of officers resulted thus: North Canterbury—President, Mrs. C. W. Barrell (re-elected); Vice-Presi-dent, Mrs. F J. T. Grigg (rt-elected); Secretary, Mrs. R. Black (re-elected); Treasurer, Mrs Atkins (re-elected). South Canterbury—Vice-Presidents, Mesdames Cave and Kippenberger; Secretary (pro tern), Mrs. Butler, all re-elected; Treasurer, Mrs. Stark.

Afternoon devotions were taken hv Capt Lamond (S.A.). Greetings received from Timaru. Mrs. Renwick. of Waiho Downs, spoke on “Alcohol and the Human Body*’ very interestingly. Mrs. Duckett gave a splendid account of the Maori Hostel work, and Mrs. Barrell suggested that Unions endeavour to help this work by holding special “Bring and Buy” socials occasionally. Thursday

Mrs. Barrell took -ihe opening devotions. Two foundation members were present throughout Convention in the persons of Miss Gordon, Christchurch, and Mrs. W. Grigg, Linwood. Mrs. Grigg gave a very informative address on the National Council of Women and its relation to the W.C.T.U., which was much appreciated. Votes of thanks were passed to all who had contributed to the quality and success of the Convention

MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT Marlborough’s Convention was held at Blenheim in St. Andrew's Hall on September 18th, opening devotions l>eing conducted by the Vice-President, Mrs Girling. Welcomes were given to the delegates and visitors by Mrs. N. Forties, President of the local Union, the Rev. H Sharp, on behalf of the Minuter*’ Association, and the District President, Mrs. Underhill. Miss Kirk, as the principal speaker, was speciallv welcomed.

Mrs. S Harris was appointed as Letter-Writer; Mrs. P. Stephens as Press Reporter, and Miss Tarrant as Mistress of Courtesies. Letters of sympathy were agreed upon to Mrs Hiett, Mesdames Knight, Leov, A. J. Mills, and L. Rodgerson; also to three foundation members. Satisfactory reports were received from local Unions; and Superintendents reported on Band

of Hope, Cradle Roll, Evangelistic, Y W.C.T.U., and ?White Ribbon ” Mrs. Edgar Smith read a paper on Peace. In her presidential address, Mrs. Underhill spoke of current events, and a vote of thanks was passed by acclamation. The election of officers resulted in the following: President, Mrs. Underhill; Vice-President, Mrs. Girling; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Forbes; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Harris; Treasurer, Mrs. Stephenson (all reelected). The following resolutions were passed for submission to the Government: “That the punishment for the crime of murder, and particularly against women and children, be earnestly reconsidered.” ’That the material required for the building of houses should not be used for building hotels while the housing question is so acute.” A resolution ot congratulation to the W.D.F.U. on its decision not to allow liquor advertisements in Its official paper was passed Part songs by the Redwoodtown W.I. Choir and solos by Mrs. C. I). Silver were greatly enjoyed. Miss Kirk’s address was on the theme of “Liberty with Duty," and she pointed out that the two were inseparable. The evil effects of alcohol were spoken of and the achievements of the W.C.T.U. in the community were recounted.

Mrs Underhill proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Miss Kirk which after being seconded by Mrs. Bailey was carried by acclamation Votes of thanks to all helpers we-e passed. The Benediction brought a useful Convention to a close.

SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT

The South Auckland Convention was held in the London Street Methodist Hall, Hamilton, on September 20th, Mrs. Christian presiding A short executive meeting preceded the opening of Convention, and morning tea was served Five Unions were represented and a good attendance of delegates anJ members was present The opening devotions were taken by Mrs. Bradley, who spoke on the words. “And 10, I am with you always,” setting a tone of spiritual good cheer for the day, and giving an uplift to al. hearers.

A motion of sympathy with Mrs. Pervman was passed. Mrs. Alexander, of Te Awamutu, was appointed LetterWriter, and Miss Rickard, of as Press Rf|*>rtcr. The Seere ary gave a combined retort on the work of all Unions which had reported, and w'as congratulated on the excellent compiling and presenting of this. A good credit balance was retorted by the Treasurer, Mrs Clark Following upon the noontide devotions, Mrs. Long, Auckland District President and Matron of the Maori Girls’ Hostel, gave a most interesting address as the principal speaker for

thr dax She thanked the officers for

giving her the opportunity of meeting South Auckland mcmlveri. A full description of life at the Hostel was given by the speaker at the outset of her address; and this was full of interest for all. Continuing, Mrs. Long spoke of the righteousness which exalteth a nation ; and closed the morning session with prayer. After the luncheon adjournment Mrs. Weston, of Cambridge, led Devotkx s, speaking on the strength which is supplied for our undertakings, by (vod, in response to our trust in Hint; and resob e to give ourselves in xer-

Mrs. Gat man, Hamilton president, then welcomed the Convention to Hamilton. The president replied, and gave a short report of the Dominion Convention at the request of the delegates. This was received with plea sure.

The election of officers then followed with the Auckland President, Mrs. Long, taking the chair. Mrs. Christian had not acvepted nomination, but Mrs. Weston, J.P., late of the Oamaru Union, was unanimously elected as president; Mesdanies Christian and Craig lieing elected \ ice-presidents. Mrs. V L. Lewis as secretary, and Mrs. Clark as treasurer, were reelected. Mrs. Christian thanked past officers for their great help and spoke of the pleasure she had had in the district work Mrs. Gatman moved and Mrs. Craig seconded that a minute l>e recorded of appreciation of Mrs Christian’s work 4s president for eight years, and this was carried. The following remit for Dominion Convention was passed: “That no President, Dominion, District or Local Union. except in the

case of I nions of ten or fewer inemIk*s, shall hold the same office for more than five successive years; eligibility for nomination to he restored alter one year’s retirement."

Te Awamutu Union extended an invitation for Convention for next year, which was gratefully accepted Votes of things to the Hamilton I’nion were passed; also to all who had assisted. Mrs. Woodward was thanked for three beautiful solos sung during the afternoon.

The closing service was impressive, "God he with you” being sung in the traditional manner. Auckland and Nelson District Con vention reports are held over for November issue tor lack of space