The World Convention

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 10, 1 December 1950, Page 5

The World Convention

Among the very numerous outstanding women of the World Union of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union it v\as represented at Hastings, England, in June of this year, some were so much a part of the whole delightful week that the very mention of the Convention brings their faces and \oices instantly to mind. Great women, women of God, women who have borne the burden of our cause during many years of striving against the powers of evil, were there from many lands; and in the crowded foyer, in the cafe, in the overloaded buses, a, well as in the great hall of the splendid “White Rock Pavilion,” their faces told the story'of their long fightlag, their faith, and in some cases, of their suffering.

On the platform, the officers soon became familiar figures. Ihe World I resident, Mr*. Forrester-Paton, digni-

fied, gentle, but always ready for the touch of humour, alert in the carrying out of her very important duties, soon became the friend of all. The entire lack of self-consciousness, ar.d the humility which characterised our President’s every word and action endeared her to us. With all details well managed, and a delightful spontaneity which enabled her to handle unexpected situations without the leas* sign cf discomposure, Mrs. Forrester-Paton created an atmosphere of pleasant, easy friendliness, which hr.d its effect throughout the whole week.

In the World Corresponding Secreti.rv, Mr*. Cecil Heath, we found a lady who radiated good comradeship, efficiency "and charm. Her smiling, cheerful demeanour, and unbounded capacity for meeting every demand on her memory, ber intellect and her ood temper, made her very popular with everyone quite early in the proceedings. Her speaking voice, clear, easy, and like no-one’s hut her own, became \ery familiar; as she had many announcements to make at each session, and was constantly asked for information on all sorts of subjects. Grace and real ability are not always found in such happy combination as in Mrs. Heath’s case. And she is very pretty.

In Mr*. Hillock, of Canada, the Recording Secretary, we realised that we had an officer of great ability. Her duties did not bring her into the forefront -except in the reading of Minutes, Imt hei* contributions to discussions were evidence of great experience in our .work. Very calm, she was, but full of deep concern for the cause, and whenever she spoke, th» closest attention was given.

Some Personalities

Our two wonderful Vice-Presidents, of widel> different personality, hut of well-equalised fitness tor their official position were soon known to us all. m Mr*. Leigh Colvin, first \ ice-presi-dent, we have a most notable woman. She i> National President of the U.S.A. Union, and is doing work in her own land that will he remembered in the history of the Union. Her genial smile, keen intellect, and alxne all her devotion to the cause of God, Home and Humanity, are parts of her personality which come very clearly to mind in recalling our contact with her. We will not easily forget her address at the Methodist Church at the official service on Convention Sunday morning. How warm and bright her influence was! A later meeting with her in her own home deepened the impressions gained at Hastings.

And Miss Isabel McCorkindale. Many of us in \e,w Zealand have met this very gifted lady, whose home is Australia. Very unassuming, not taking any outstanding part in the proceedings as a matter of course, hut when the time came for her to enter a discussion, or to speak on some special subject, her quality was manifest at once. Clear, unhurried in her utterances, her voice maintaining a pleasant, even level, she put something so forceful. so logical, and so enlightening into what she had to say, that the closest attention was given to her at such times. Her remarkable address, given on the “Peace” evening, was a closelyknit argument, built up with almost legal reasoning; and her climax was triumphant. We from “down under” were very proud of Miss McCorkindale. It is worthy of note that she was Australia’s representative at Lake Success, for the. “Status of Women” Conference.

And now we come to Mr*. Munn. To those who were present at the Convention, the mention of Mrs. Munn is enough to raise a smile, ano to bring back memories of the gaits of laughter that swept the Convention whenever this lady stepped to the President’s side and in a gentle, apologtt ; c manner, suggested that “This migh. he an opportunity for people who v aired to be made lif ■ Members to let us know.” To become a Life Member, or to make someone else a Life Member involved the payment of 100 dollars, or £25. At first the member were a trifle slow ir. grasping the opportunity thus afforded; hut by ones and twos the numbers increased; and before the end of the week, no less a sum than £1,600 had come in, or had •

been promised. Whenever there was

a delay, or a spare moment, Mrs. Munn, smiling and innocent, would introduce the possibility of someone longing to become a life member and being deprived of the chance. I wonder if ever money was raised so easily and so happily. Mrs. Munn has been Treasurer of the World Union for a long time; and an assistant, in the person of Miss Estelle, Editor of the New York W.C.T.U. paper, has now been appointed.

Many more there were of whom it would he a pleasure to speak; hut one can only name a very few. Among them was one lady whose sweet, smiling presence, and unfailing'thought for everyone but herself, made ber the beloved of all. This was Mrs. W heatley, the English Union President. Her gracious welcome to the delegates, and her constant solicitude for their welfare, and her special characteristic of constant brightness and cheerfulness will live long in the memory. She retired from the presidency during our stay, and her successor, who is also the Editor of the English ‘AVhite Ribbon,’’ is Miss Dorothy Staunton. Miss Staunton’s duties at Convention did not bring her into the forefront very much, for she was.working hard in preparation for her next “White Riblion”; but Mr. and Mrs. Pitt, Miss lackson, and the writer were fortunate in being placed at the hotel where Miss Staunton was the “hostess,” and so had opportunities of chatting with her and realising something of her high intellectual and spiritual quality. She was a most charming hostess, and is a very able editor. In her new sphere as National President she will find a great deal of work, but many willing helpers. We wish her all joy in this responsible position. Miss Phyllis Wright, the musical director, Sliss Margaret Baker, whose marvellous demonstration of Visual Education will never be forgotten; Miss Mein, Editor of the Scottish “White Ribbon” and Scottish National President; Frau Fischer, that great German woman, of whom we have heard so much; Mrs. Chitumba, from India; Mrs. Jamali, from Syria; Mrs. On Kin, from Burma; and many more, are never-to-be-for-gotten figures of the Convention. All devoted to the cause, and ready to sacrifice, to work, and in every way to continue the great traditions, the obligation-*, and the achievements of those other great women who went befo e. We pray “God bless them all, and hasten the time when our warfare will he over, because of the coming of the Kingdom on Earth.’ M. CHRISTIAN.