Conventions...

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 9, 1 October 1950, Page 4

Conventions...

By Mrs. F. W. Mountjoy, District President

AUCKLAND DISTRICT CONVENTION Presidential Address, September 12th, 1950

Parsing a wayside pulpit in the train recently, 1 read these words, “An upright man can never he a downright failure.” 1 was so taken with the slogan that I jotted it down. That same evening I heard of another slogan that appeared outside a Church in mv own district, “Come in and have your faith lifted.” The reaction of a woman who saw it was that she “could hardly restrain herself from going into the Church grounds and tearing it down.” But the local newspaper wrote of it, in black print, that it was the “perfect advertisement,” for the obvious reason that it made people take notice.

Advertising in the newspapers, in periodicals, on the picture screens, in the streets, etc., all must be worthwhile or it would not be continued. Firms pay large sums for one large sized newspaper advertisement appearing in one issue only, which proves that advertising must pay dividends.

Unfortunately there are too many of the false advertisements appearing on hoardings and in newspapers, like those attributing long life to the Maori woman of 109 and the man of 94. Both, according to the advertisements, only started drinking within the last 20 years. So they had lived to a good age without the help (?) of intoxicants. Then there are those attributing drinking in moderation to the qualification of a gentleman, showing a picture of a young man in sports outfit, also pictures of women and children, and many more, copies of which I have in my possession. These are lying statements and should not be allowed as they are predisposing the minds of children and the community to its own destruction.

Drink is a social menace, a scourge, and these advertisements should not be permitted to appear in our newspapers or on our hoardings. An amendment to the Medical Advertisements Act has been gazetted prohibiting in advertisements, any suggestion that beverages have nutritive or medicinal properties. There are other kinds of advertisements like those inserted in various newspapers throughout the Dominion by the Health Departments, warning against leaving young children alone in a locked house, for fear they touch electric switches, matches, razors, etc.; against leaving children in locked motor cars, about it being “unkind, unfair, and could lead to tragedy. Psychologically too, these practices are harmful.” We appreciate this bringing to the notice of thoughtless people obvious facts. Also the fact that “drinking and driving don’t mix.” That is from one department of our Government, but another department licenses the poison that acts as a depressant and deadens the conscience of the individual.

In the stop press news in the “Star" recently, the director of the National Council of the Licensed Trade suggested the extension of hotel closing time for an hour or more as a solution to the problem of overcro.vded bars in New Zealand. Apart from the very important fact that the people showed, in no uncertain manner, what their wishes were when the referendum on 6 o’clock versus 10 o’clock closing was taken last vear, the police, before the Licensing Control Commission in Wellington, according to the “Herald" of the 9th instant, declared than an extension of drinking hours in Wellington bars to 6.30 would not alleviate overcrowding. Sub-Inspector I). R. Sugrue said that, if hours were extended, drinkers would go on drinking longer. Those content with what they could get between 5 and 6 p.m., would be content with what they could get between 5 and 6.30 p.m.

In England, where the longer hours prevail and games are engaged in as an added attraction at night evening sales are strongly condemned by Rev. Luke Jenkins, 8.A., Principal of the Baptist Theological College, Auckland, who is in a position to know, having engaged in social work in the vicinity of many public houses, and having seen something of the degradation ot homes and families. He mentions particularly families of small children left alone while both parents go to hotels, or inns as they are called. He lias heard arguments as to who was to stav outside and mind the children while the other partner went into the bar. Sometimes children have been left outside on their own, while both parents entered by different doors, showing the held the cursed drink can get over a person, drowning all sense of responsibility. He said. “The average hotel bar, the world over, is a stinking place, where any decent man would not wish to take his wife or children. Closed hotels at night meant enrichment of child and home life.” In a Wellington paper, mention was made by the Secretary of the New Zealand Merchant Service Guild, Cap tain W. R. Williams, of the visiting of ships in port by women having growr in recenK years, and getting out of liounds. He said the habit of holding beer parties aboard ships with noisiness and disturbance of the sleep of decent members of crews had developed to an alarming degree.

Expulsion from the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand of members taking women or unauthorised persons into the crews’ quarters on their ships was unanimously recommended at a stop-work meeting of sea men in Wellington. This recommenda; tion has been placed before all branches of the Union. In the last session of the last Parliament, legislation was passed empowering the Police to prevent unauthorised persons from going on board ships without permits. So far this legisla; tion has not been implemented, it were implemented I feel that soffit girls might be spared temptation through being in the wrong environment. Environment plays a great pari in the life of the adolescent. No young person would reallv wish to become a drunkard. In fact a you# person usually looks with scorn on * drunkard, thinking that he or shj would never become one, but would always know when they had h*® enough. Unfortunately, young particularly those in certain so-calß® “Society,” often go from one cocktai party to another thinking they » r(

only having a little to drink at each. Soon their judgment is impaired and they are jiot aware that they are acting boisterously, and doing and saying things that, in their saner minds, they would scorn to do or say. At a well-attended Association meeting, I was at recently, an hotel proprietor (a school committee member), speaking to a remit before the meeting, which had nothing whatever to do with drinking or temperance, said, “We should do away with it, just as we should do away with the drunkards and heavy drinkers in my line and educate a new lot of younger drinkers/' That just shows the opinion of those who encourage and sell drink The drunkard is no longer wanted. Who knows which of the young drinkers will become a drunkard? A dispatch from Lausanne says "The Ministry of Public Health of Belgium has subsidised the National Committee against alcoholism, which is undertaking a systematic campaign against the growing consumption of alcoholic beverages, including in particular that of strong beer. Posters are being used in railway stations and youth centres, and a temperance day is being observed in all primary schools under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Instruction. \ syllabus lias been prepared and published in Flemish and also in French to facilitate the teaching of temperance lessons by teachers. Maurice Milliet, Professor of Hygiene at the University of Brussels, has been made president of the committee.”

The “Star" of 13th April has an interesting piece of news. Quoting from a resolution appearing in the youth organisation paper "Miada I ronta” thev said “Nearly half the pupils in Czech secondary schools have signed a pledge never to smoke or drink alcohol. People who succumb to drink have no place in our Socialistic Society."

The Shetland Islands went dry some time ago during a local option campaign and remain dry. In a population of 26.000 there is almost no unemployment, no crime at all, and five policemen to look after 800 square miles. Last year, WO, the drinl: bill for N’ew Zealaand was £17,6R3,%2, or £9/10/0 per head of the population. I doubt if there is ever a newspaper printed in New Zealand without reference to some crime or accident that has been caused through the consumption of strong drink. A long article appeared in the “F.vening Post” of the 22nd of July written by an “Evening Post” reporter, on Alcoholics Anonymous. It is really one of the finest advertisements for Temperance I have ever read in any newspaper. Extracts from the article read “The Alcoholics Leader in New Zealand said his organisation wished to serve New Zealand Alcoholics those persons with a craving for alcohol. He outlines his definition of an alcoholic

1. A man who drinks when he Has decided not to or who has good reason not to.

2. A man who drinks alone. 3. A man who has “extras” between those served to others. 4. A man who, after a party or a day’s drinking requires more before he can function properly.” The reporter stated that the value of Alcoholics Anonymous ha.i been recog- ' nised by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., who stated “that sending men to the ‘lsland’ had been a matter o£ segregation, and this alone did not have great success in effecting a cure.” Included in the article is mention of Alcoholics Anonymous Comics which are acclaimed in the United States where they use comic strips as advertising mediums for soap and toothpaste, and even motorcars. A comic strip has now been developed to show’ the value of the work being done by Alcoholics Anonymous.

Published in 600 newspapers throughout the United States, the comic strip, in serial instalments, shows a seemingly hopeless drunkard winning a long fight to redeem himself through the aid of Alcoholics Anonymous. The comic was drawn by Leslie Turner, creator of the American “comic strip hero,” Captain Easy, whose adventures are followed by literally millions.

We women have a great respon-

sibility. We must not grow weary in the fight, but endeavour, through persistent efforts and witness, to uphold our banner for God, Home and

Humanity, and make this fair land of oars a better place to live in, for the coming generation.

“As labourer* in Thy vineyard, Send us om, Christ, to be, Content to bear the burden Of weary days for Tliee. We ask no other wages, When Thou shalt call us home, But to have shared Thy travail And see Thy Kingdom come." (Regret address curtailed through lack of space.—Ed.)

NORTHLAND DISTRICT CONVENTION

The Northland District Convention, held at Whangarei, in the Methodist Church Hall, on September 3th, was attended by delegates from Whangarei, Dargaville, Pukehuia and Maungakaramea.

Mrs. Green, District President, conducted the opening devotional exercises and Mrs. Lawrence led the Noontide Hour. Mrs. Roberts took the devotions for the afternoon session. In her Presidential Address, Mrs. Green gave present-day facts on world affairs and on the new Licensing Law’s in New Zealand. At the Service of Remembrance, tributes were paid to the memory of our departed sisters, Mrs. Lee Cowie, Miss Edmed of Dargaville, Mrs. Dreadon and Mrs. Wright, of Whangarei, and Mrs. Clow, of Russell.

Report* The Corso Supt. reported that 100 garments had been forwarded during the year.

Dargaville and Whangarei reported on the visit of Mrs. Toorner, Dominion Vice-President.

Reports revealed that, although much work was being done, no youth work, with the exception of the Cradle Roll Department, was being carried out.

A 20 years’ service badge was presented to the Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Moorhead, Jun., of Dargaville.

The election of Officers resulted as follows: — President: Mrs. Green; Vice-Presi-dent, Mrs. Lane; Corres. Sec.: Mrs. Moorhead, Jun.; Record. Sec.: Mrs. Jolly; Treasurer: Mrs. Taylor.

SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT CONVENTION

The Annual District Convention was held in Hamilton on September 7th, with the President, Miss A. M. McLay, in the chair. Rev. H. Matthews, 8.A., who conducted the opening devotions, took as his theme, “Christian Witness,” from I Peter, 1:13. The speaker emphasised the fact that we can only influence others by what we are and do ourselves.

The word Christian, as associated with "Temperance Union,” gave the group all the power necessary as its source came from God Himself.

The Roll Call was answered by delegates from Hamilton, Cambridge, Fencourt, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Te Kuiti Maori, Te Kuiti Pakeha, Opotiki, Hangatiki and Tauranga, a total of 42 being present. Reports showed much activity and novel means taken in emphasising the work. Te Kuiti Maori reported 16 new members. Tauranga prepared 60 children for the Temperance examinations, and co-operation was given by the College Headmaster, and Primary School Headmaster. Opotiki has its flourishing Band of Hope, now 25 years old. It is a highlight in social events and advertises and reports in local papers. Hamilton held its 30-year Jubilee celebration.

Otorohanga pays for advertisements on Railway Station, and other unions maintain a high standard, especially in vouth work.

The Annual District report showed 313 members, 3% White Ribbon subscribers and 800 Cradle Roll members. Miss McLay, in reviewing the work said that, though the position was satisfactory, much yet remained to be done to intensify the Five Fold Plan of Work.

An invitation to hold the next Convention at Tauranga was accepted. Noon tide devotions were conducted by Mrs. Benslev, of Tauranga, and the afternoon session was .opened by Mrs. Kemsley, of Cambridge. The election of officers resulted a* follows: President, Miss A. McLay; VicePresident, Mrs. Christian; Secretary, Mrs. Lewis, Treasurer. Mrs. Clark; Dist. Cradle Roll Supt., Miss G. Clark; White Ribbon Supt., Mrs. Lcw’is.