W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1395, 22 March 1912, Page 9

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

(By releiraph.—Special CorrtsDosdent.l Dunedin, March 21. At the W.CT.U. Convention to-day, Mrs. Pouraumato was appointed organiser for tho Maoris. Invitations for next convention were received from Greymouth and Nelson, and Nelson was unanimously selected. The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs. Cole (re-elecled); corresponding secretary, Mrs. Peryman; recording secretary, Mrs. Mitchell; treasurer, Mrs. Bendel. Resolutions were passed recording the work done- by the late Mrs. Lcavitt, in tho direction of the enfranchisement of women, advocating; total abolition of tho liquor traffic, anu also that proper provisian be made for patients suffering from delirium tremens. A protest was ontere.d against the three-fifths majority in regard to the liquor question. The following resolutions were also adopted :— "That all cases of maintenance, where husband and wifo apply for separation, bo heard before a magistrate, the public being excluded." "The convention urges that a copy of the Ten Commandments be placed on tho walls of all schools."

"That in all affiliation cases before a Court, tho public should bo excluded." "Tho convention urges the Government to introduce legislation whereby the curfew law bo established, rendering it unlawful for boys and girls under 16 years of age to bo on the streets of the towns and cities after 8 p.m. in winter and 9 p.m. in summer, unless accompanied by a parent or proper guardian, or properly authorised, if en necessary business. "That the convention place on record deep thankfulness to God for (he splendid vote given at tho recent licensing poll for national prohibition, and express satisfaction that we may reasonably hope, to see the country soon freed entirely from the liquor traffic." "That the elective Executive should bo instituted, and. that the initiative and referendum be adopted for all important social questions." "That no commandant of a section of the Defence Forco bo at liberty to enter any school to inspect boys and girls in physical drill unless he has the permission of tho Board of Education under whose jurisdiction the school is." "That no youth under 21 years of age bo allowed to volunteer for service outside New Zealand."

"We most emphatically protest against the law which permits youths under 21 years to ho imprisoned for refraining to tako the ontli and submitting to compulsory military training. While, recognising the necessity of organising and training a citizen army for defence in case of hostile attack, wo maintain that the citizen shall be paramount to the soldier. Wo strongly object to certain provisions of tho Defence Act, and urge its alteration in the following directions:—That no youth under 21 years bo compelled to bear arms or undergo military training; that any youths over 16 years of age' be allowed to volunteer for military training and duty provided he has the consent of his parents or guardians; that no man being of ago be compelled to bear arms or perform military duty or undergo military training if he objects on conscientious grounds, but that he bo required to render equivalent in somo other branch of service; that no failure to register, and no offence committed during military training or on military duty after expiation by punishment, shall entail forfeiture of the citizen's right of voting or of being employed in the Government service; that all offences committed by members of the Defence Forces while on military duty in timo of peace shall be tried before a. Civil Court, and in timo of war an appeal bo allowed, if required, from tho decision of the Military to the Civil Court.

"As citizens and ratepayers wo wish to draw public 'nttention to the cost of the present scheme of defence, which bids fair in tho near future to bo a heavy burden on the community, and also to the great inequality of pensions."