District Convention News

White Ribbon, Volume 32, Issue 8, 1 December 1960, Page 9

District Convention News

OTAGO In her opening address »o* the- District ( <»n* cJition held in the Salvation Army Hal!, South Dunedin, the district president, Mrs Flett welcomed delegates and save a short liistorical account *‘ f the W.C.T.L 7 . Throughout i»*. exigence the union has n»** *I » K»eadil> against all forms of legalised or tolerated vice and has supjiorted legislation designed to protect the home. Tie Rev I. C. Me Fad yen told the Convention in his address that “only an Alcoholic can understand an alcoholic" when he nave an insight into he working of Alcoholics Anonymous. Mr Me Fad yen said “the first and hardest thing t > do ;s to convince him that he is an alcoholic/’ He listed the twelve steps an A V has to take before l.e can he considered “dried out.” He nUo spokt of the sinus and symptoms, which “at first are mi recognisable, because they appear only as a

habit." The Society is an interdenominational one where everyone is welcome to come for help

In the .iftcrnooti, the election of officers, remits, v< cal items and general business were discussed. ()tVicc-bearers were: I’resident, Mrs I Flett, Hon. Vice President, Mrs I Hictt. V. Pres Mesdames I. ttardner. F Jones, V. Hill, Sec. Mrs \V lies. ! i*.t' Mi' \\ Dickenson W R \gent Mrs F Jc us, L.W.R. Supt. Mis 1). Mooney, L.T.L. Supt Mrs V. Gill, Kvangelistic Supt. Mrs L. Jamieson. Mis W. I C. Daniels, President Oamaru Union, moved the remit, which was passed unanimously, that “In view of the recent shocking disturbances at Hastings and C hristchurch, we strongly protest at the flagrant violation of existing lfquor laws, and demand, in the name of humanity, strirt control of an adequate supervision of licensed premises.”

Two remits brought forward by Dunedin C entral Union were nassed unanimously: “The Otago Convention of the W.C.T.U views with deep concern, any suggestion that the law prohibiting drink at dances or in the vicinity of dance halls, be rescinded, and drink allowed in those places. M my accidents occur through drink ami these would be considerably increased, it such restrictions were removed. Furthermore, as drink is a contributing factor in immoral behaviour, drink at such places would be a detinue menace.” The second remit read, “ that the W.f .T.U, stronudv agaiasi any proposal to bariraids into hotel bars.” AUCKLAND The Convention commenced with a C hurch Parade and Communion Service held in tar Pitt St Church, will. die Rev i\ r. Clement going the address. At the Reception on Monday afternoon, several guest artists provided an enjoyable programme. The guest sp< aker was Brigadier j. Maiiaffie of the Salvation Army, who paid tribute to the foresight and wide vision of the founder of the 'VC/17 ~ Miss Francis Willard “What the world needs today,” he said, “is the ( hristian approach to the many problems confronting it . . May God bless all your elTorts <>l your organisation and your attempts to save this lovely country from the oil effects of intemperance/’

'l*o mark the 75tb anniversary of the commence* Hunt of the Inion in N 7 the Dominion ilent. Mrs Pirlv**-** , ihr hu C»! ** Mrs A. (i Sherman, hist. President presided over the business of Coiivrmin»» which coinmet. cd on Tuesday raoining with a large number of delegates attending. In the afternoon, the Rex G Trebilco gave a tint* temperance address md lit* said that the greatest force against the sv i 1 of drink i> the message of complete saltation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Departmental Reports were given and m eial remits parsed to go forward to 1%1 Dominion ( « nvention, Onehunga and Henderson Union* gained first,and second places respectively, for the FiveFold Plan. \t tin* final session on Wednesday, further re mil* were discussed and framed and remaining reports received. One of our guests, Mrs K. Atkins, Don;. Recording secretary, of New Plymouth re ported on the present position concerning the New Plymouth W.C'T.I" Seamen s Rest, which lias to he moved from its juesent site, as the Harbour Board require the land. By a large majority it was de cided to commence nexi Dist. ( onvention with the Reception as usual or Monday and with a ( 'oimiiuuion Service on the Tuesday, s<> that a larger number of delegates could be present. Mrs Mount joy and Miss I*.. Appleby, each a former I fist President, were made Life V ice Presidents of Auckland Hist. Kxecutive Convention closed with Francis W illard s (>rder of Closing service

SOUTH AUCKLAND The 38th Convention was held in the Methodist Church, Hamilton, on October 3Hh. The President, Mrs L. Fast wood presided and welcomed delegates from Tauranga, Cambridge, T e Avv.smutu, Te Kuiti Maori, Hamilton and Whakatanc, also two members from Te Arolia. District Officers met for Kxecutive earlier. Devotions were led by Pastor Buick of the ( hurch of Christ. The Secretary s report showed that the district membership was .248, White Ribbon subscribers 2.(n, and Whakatane I nion had been formed in the year Mrs Moore gave the N.C.W report with some facts a talk about Tokanui IVlentai Hospital. There was one patient who had not enjoyed natural sleep for 17 years. At Tokanui, she was taught to sleep without drugs. There were boys who had never had any other meat than liver - they needed a physical adjustment. N.C.W. was concerned about the numbe of advertisements in ail Auckland paper offering homes with pocket money to unmarried expectant mothers. This pocket money never exceeded £l. It was felt that these girls >hould not be exploited. Noontide hymn and prayers were conducted by M.s T.astwixxl 1 here was one remit only and tlii> it v* as agreed, should go back to Unions for discussion. Adjournment was then made fur lunch which was served in the S.S Hall.

Afternoon devotion* were led by Mrs Hall Mrs hast wood then gave her Presidential address, which was deeply spiritual, the theme being, “The work of the Potter.” The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: Pres.: Mrs II \ Melvin, See : Mrs L Kelly, 1 reas Mrs I )aley, V Pres.: Mrs Bak;r and Mrs Moore Mrs Kichards, Dominion President gave a thought-provoking address No drunkard shall inherit the Kingdom of fiod Most recent figures showed the annual drink lull as being £36 million and gambling £65 million. 3,645 children were he fore the Auckland Court, yet no child was horn a criminal the home life was at fault. If every ( hristian man and woman voted against the drink traffic, it would he voted out . . The Salvation Army ladies' sextette then rendered a very enjoyable item A practical demonstration of temperance zeal was afforded during the afternoon, when 35 telegrams were sent to mem hers of Parliament, expressing concern at proposals brought forward in the Licensing Amendment hill Mrs Hurt of Cambridge made a small presentation to Mrs Eastwood, the ret'ring president, who thanked al! who had contributed to t’ t- sucres* of the Convention. A Sales’ table and *ernooa tea concluded Com ention