W.C.T.U.

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 1

W.C.T.U.

OTAGO DISTRICT COMVEHTSIMi Tlie annual district convention of the Otago W.C.T.U., met'in the Church of Christ, King Edward street, South Dunedin. Mrs .Bedford' presided over a gathering ,of about 40 delegates. After the welcome by the president of the local branch (Mrs Donaldson), Mr Hilliker arid the Rev. Mr Brown, representing the Alliance and the ministers of South Dunedin, spoke briefly. Mrs Hiett (Dominion president), in the course of her address, alluded to the encouragingreport from, the junior branch, known as the “ Y’s,” remarking that this gave, evidence of future workers and leaders. ,

Miss Gray (district secretary) presented an encouraging report of work attempted and carried through, literature having been procured in generous quantities and distributed, the Oamaru branch leading in this effort. Mrs Sanders (district treasurer) showed that even in this time of stress all dues had • been paid by all the branches, and that a balance of over £lB remained.

These officers, the district president, secretary, and were warmly thanked for their whole-hearted service, and were subsequently re-elected. Reference was made to Mrs Clow’s visit, in connection with which neither time nor expense had been spared. Airs Clow had justified this effort, and had roused many, from apathy to a wholesome desire for service in a really great cause. Reports were received from delegates representing Balclutha, Dunedin Central, Dunedin South, Green Island, Kaikorai, Lawrence, North-east Valley, Oamaru, Owaka, and Port Chalmers. In the last-named educational work had been undertaken, and the children had been examined on the' text book, ‘ Alcohol—a Cell Poison.’ In this district, temperance instruction had been given in Standards J.V., V,, and VI. All branches'had managed to procure speakers on humanitarian. or political matters. 10 had affiliated with the League of Nations Union, and all had raised money for local work, thus allowing the hulk of -the small annual subscription, to be paid into the organiser’s fund. Literature Lad been supplied by the district executive to newly-organised branches, while those numerically weak were supplied with the same at half-price. Gamaim had ordered supplies generously, and distributed widely. In all the branches sympdthy with the suffering and bereaved was shown. The “Y’ brandies had sent a missionary to India, besides graduating speedily for the work of the adult union. In the afternoon, Miss Annit, president of the “ Y’s,” conducted the opening devotional service, and Miss Williamson gave a vocal item, ‘ Hold Thou My Hands.’ Mrs Bedford’s presidential address showed a masterly grip of the economic wastage caused by the “ traffic.”

The remits were well discussed, and were as follow: “That with a view l to eliminating the illegal sale and consumption of liquor, cabarets and dance halls should be subject to stricter inspection.”— Dunedin Central. “ That where a motorist has been convicted, of intoxication while driving liis license should be cancelled until such time as he has proved himself to be an abstainer from intoxicants.— Dunedin Central. “ That the Government he requested to take steps to prevent the publication of misleading statements as to the nature of alcoholic liquors.”—Dunedin Central. “ That promoters of art 'unions bo compelled to publish their receipts and expenditure in connection with the art union at the same time as they publish the results, or as soon thereafter as possible.”—Owaka. “ That this convention take a decided stand against participating in any form of gambling, whether by means of the lotalisator, art union, or

anything that encourages the gambling spirit.”—Dunedin South., “That a separate apartment be provided in tea rooms or dining halls for those who wish to smoke.”—Green Island. , ' , “ That provision must be made whereby a deserted wife may receive the family allowance without the necessity of securing the husband’s signature.”—Dunedin Central; “ That women police' be appointed. —Dunedin Central.

“ That the general public be excluded from the magistrates’ courts during the hearing of maintenance and affiliation cases.” —Dunedin Central. “ That in view of the great leakage between, the Cradle Roll and Bands of Hope, we urge Sunday schools to give at least one' temperance lesson every quartet.”—Dunedin Central. “That in assessing the unemployment tax this convention urges the Government to extend the exemption on incomes of £SO for women to include earned as well as unearned income.”—Dqnedin Central. “ That owing to the difficulty of financing the cradle roll department* and many unions being unable to have as large a roll as they might,- this convention asks- the Dominion Executive for permission to procure a- less expensive birthday card.”—District Executive.

A paper having been lead dealing with the practice of the widespread use of contraceptives by very young people, the Dominion president and district executive desired to place the matter before the. Dominion executive, but Mrs Don, a former Dominion president, in an impassioned speech, urged immediate action and protest to the Government. The district executive withdrew its motion. , A good day’s work was concluded in the evening, the pastor, Mr E. P. Adernfan, giving an address, and musical items being supplied by Mrs Chisholm? and Miss Clare.