W. C. T. U. CONVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 742, 15 February 1910, Page 3

W. C. T. U. CONVENTION.

■ 'WOMEN'S. ATTITUDE TO LIQUOR. UNLOOKED-FOR. EFFECT OVERSEA'. (Br Tclccrunb.— Prcpg , Association.! , I nvercargili, February 14. At' the, W.C.T.U.Convention,-' Mrs. Hobbs, a - Wliito Hibboner from Victoria, was, introduced. She stated that- the women of New Zealand Uiitl' seriously- retarded the attainment of tlic woman's franchise in Victoria on, account : of the ,wav"in which their votes had been cast against the liquor traffic. Tlic report of the -Department of Nonalcoholic. Medication showed that a number of unions.had disseminated informaupon .the subject. , Attention was particularly called to the fact that a certain' toiiic wine was frequently used, by temperance people; tlie opinion of a prominent medical practitioner being stated to be to the effect. that 'it vras iust a light wine similar to,- claret, with a' very small quantity of drugs... : .The proposal to pool-the-fares of' delegates, which had. been submitted, tothe< unions throughout- the country, was recommended 1 by the convention! for adoption. ' - The - report of, the .Sabbhth Observance Committee- expressed, appreciation, of the action., taken, by, : the' Presbyterian' Church in-this connection, and satisfaction was expressed at, the' action of the Prime Minis-, ter.in, prohibiting firing .in . ; military camps'on Sunday. " ■ ' The Maori. Committee's report showed that, ,in addition to' the. membership already: returned, 'a large number of men had signed the pledge, .'and joined the union. The students at the Terau College, , Gisborne, - were all' 1 interested iin temperance work,, and willing to help. In the > afternoon Miss Powell, who is retiring from tlio honorary .office, of secretary, which- she has-: filled -for-..fifteen years, was presented.: by, Mrs., ICirkland, on-behalf oftKo unions! throughout the Dominion; with a - peggy- ; bag, well, lined with-sovereigns.-- -v... .', .Resolutions . were . passed(a), .-Expressing, appreciation .'of . the'.'advanced and humane methods; emplo.ved.iby the Minis.rer -for Justice, .especially, as, exemplified.' .in ,tho new. reformatory .prison now incourse of erection in Jnyercargill; (b). emphasising. the.;necessity of a police'.mat{ron being, appointed ,to\all lockups where .women prisoners are ! taken, such matrons to.be available day and .night; (c) calling attention, to, the .necessity' for .sopar-,-ate lavatory accommodation for women on the Main-.Trunk Railway; and' (d) better protection of - pasisengors'. (npoh: all: lines),; from -. the- annoyance- caused by. drink and drunkenness. ; : . -