CONVENTION MOTOR DRIVE AND “GET TOGETHER” TEA

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 2, 1 April 1951, Page 6

CONVENTION MOTOR DRIVE AND “GET TOGETHER” TEA

On Saturday afternoon, under perfect weather conditions, delegates enjoyed a very wonderful motor-dri\e around Dunedin's encircling hills with their lovelv views of valley and sea. At St. Clair a stop was made for afternoon tea, though many preferred to enjoy the beaut) of sunshine and sea. A Ijountiful tea, provided by ladies of the District executive and the Congregational Union, awaited us on arrival again at the Hall. L.T.L. Demonstration In the evening the L.T.L.’s, under Mrs. Flett, presented a splendid programme of concerted items, vocal, piano and violin solos and a playette, “Bonnie Prince Charlie." One could not help thinking of all the work involved in preparation, and the Union owes a great debt to women like the late Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Flett, who do this important and self-sacrificing work. Reference was made to the fact that one of the girl> had been medallist three times and that another girl twice in the Scientific Temperance examinations. The L.T.L demonstration was followed by an exceedingly interesting travel talk, given by Mrs. F. X. Christian of Tauranga. Travel Talk Mrs. Christian graphically described tlie embarkation of 250 Sinhalese Roman Catholics hound from Colombo to Rome. In Athens, she felt very depressed by the condition of the people, their debased currency and shortage of food and the evidences of bombing, contrasting all this with the abundance in New Zealand. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union headquarters in Melbourne bad been visited, ami Mrs. Christian found that they had property to tlie value of £300,000 She had also met the Fditor of the bright little temperance paper, “Cobbers,” and seen his club work for lw>ys m Perth. Weather conditions in Britain and Kurope were most unlavourahle, with the exception of the World Convention week in Hastings. Mrs Christian had visited Kastvvood Grange, the property of the Temperance Cause in England, where many Temperance and Church conferences are held and had attended, with Mrs. Kasper, a prayer meeting at Countess of Carlisle House in preparation for the World Convention. The speaker |>«tul a tribute to the calibre and work of the British l nion members In US.A. contact was made with Miss Helen Fstellc. President of the New York State, assistant to the World Treasurer, and treasurer of the N.C.W. of USA. Tli-on gh Miss F.stelle, Mrs. Christian had a memorable visit to Dr. Ella Boole, former World President. In Evanston, near Chicago, she had the great pleasure of visiting the US A. Headquarters and dining with the American President, Dr Mary Leigh Colvin, and her hus-

band, who truly exemplify the Best in vmerican life. In Vancouver Mrs. Christian contacted Mrs. James Lade, a gracious woman, who carries a great responsibility in that Dominion. Contacts were made with W.C.T.I . women in Honolulu. During Mrs. Christian’s talk, nil felt that the places visited and the temperance work abroad had been brought vividly before us and that the work in New Zealand was Just a small part of a great world-wide movement, extending throughout fifty-six countries, where members are one with us in the “tern fight for “God. Home and Humanity." —V.G.