TEMPERANCE WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 12

TEMPERANCE WORK.

17TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

GROWTH OF GAMBLING.

Mrs. Hugh Kasper, district president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, in an address to delegates at the seventeenth annual Auckland district convention yesterday, said that the rapidly growing number of road deaths was causing concern in the public mind. Although persons charged with driving cars while under the influence of liquor were puiii shed, she aid not consider that sufficient was said about strong drink in connection with such accidents. Every new motor car on the road and every new aeroplane in the sky, was one more argument for total abstinence, said Mrs. Kasper. That gambling was also on the increase in the Dominion was deplored by Mrs. Kasper. "There are in this country numerous forms of gambling." continued Mrs. Kaeper, "and even church members indulge in it. Very often it is for a good cause, but that does not alter the fact that it is still gambling. In days gone by this was a man's sport, but to-day a woman who takes part in gambling may be a social leader or even a church worker." Referring to the work of the union, Mrs. Kasper stressed the importance of the activities of the youth departments and pointed out that the basis for the junior programme was the training for good citizenship and th<> need for temperance education. Mrs. Kasper then reviewed the activities of the union in other countries, including the United States, India, Egypt, Hawaii, Canada and Australia. In Australia, she said, there were no special gains in the field of temperance. Oi. the contrary, the continued increase in drinking by women and young people was a ma'tter for grave concern.

The morning session commenced with a Communion service conducted by the Rev. E. T. Olds. The business included the report of the corresponding eeeretary, Mrs. J. Williams, which dealt mainly with the work of the various branches, including 28 in the Auckland district. The revenue account presented by the treasurer, Miss L. M. Read, showed the finances to be in a satisfactory condition. The report of the recording secretary, Mrs. R. Joiner, stated that there was a menrbersihip of 604 in the Auckland district. At the conclusion of the business devotions were led by Sister Jessie. The following officers were elected: District president, Mrs. Hugh Kasper; vice-president, Mrs. F. W. Mount joy; corresponding secretary, Mrs. J. Williams; treasurer, Miss L. M. Read; recording secretary, Mrs. A. L. Lewis. '