CONVENTION MOMENTS

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 4, 1 May 1948, Page 5

CONVENTION MOMENTS

As at all Conventions, some happenings stand out from the rest in our memories. Little things, some of them; big, important happenings, sometimes; sometimes just little cameos, clear-cut on the plain background. Of these, at our 1948 Convention, the retiring from her position of Dominion Treasurer, held for 21 years, of Miss M. B. Lovell-Smith, is a very memorable one. Mrs. Hiett’s tribute to the work and influence of this dear friend and comrade ran thus:— Wellington, March 8, 1948. It is with deep regret that we say farewell to Miss M. B. Lovell-Smith as our New Zealand Treasurer. For 21 years she has served the New Zealand Union with great fidelity and with painstaking accuracy. Her warm, genial personality has been a source of cheer to her fellow' officers and to the whole membership. Not only is she a wizard at bookkeeping but in all of the problems which confront the Officers of such a large and important organisation as the W.C.T.U., her unfailing goodwill and her thoughtful consideration have helped her fellow members on many occasions to come to a right decision. It is a joy to know that we are not farcwelling her from the Union, but desire her to accept Life Membership. A little love-gift, and a spray of flowers w’ere presented as tokens of the deep, aflfectionate esteem in which Miss Lovell-Smith is held. “For she’s an excellent lady” was sung, and three cheers rang out. The response was characteristic; just a few* words smilingly and naturally spoken, with the little something which iias always Hade us feel and know that here was <He who pretended nothing but who knew so much about human life and understood so W’ell the things that Puzzle and upset. Calm and serene always, but warm and genial too, she will be very greatly missed. But a little rest and freedom from responsibility are due to her, and so we let her

go from arduous duty and waved her our good wishes as she went. Another little picture stands out with quite delightful charm. YYfien it was known that the dear little child “Mary,” whose truly wonderful patience and self-control had been the admiration of everyone for so many days was to he given a doll, there was not a woman in the hall who was not delighted. The years dropped away, and everyone became a child again and_felt the ecstasy, long forgotten, when the little girl took the doll into her own keeping. A glow seemed to shine over everything that morning, and Mary’s happiness was good to see. Mary's mother's words of thanks were beautifully spoken and all felt that the happy thought thus made action had been really inspired. One other must be mentioned. This was the period of silent prayer that followed the story of the brave woman in England, fighting a lone battle against the forces of evil in her town. That day she was to plead the cause of temperance in a Court of Law, opposing those who wished the closing hours to be 10.30 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. Very fervent and sincere were the unspoken prayers on her behalf, and at the mercy-seat, the distance across the world was bridged. Many other bright lights shine out in memory, but they can only be kept there, unless delegates in their Reports can make them real again.