THE W.C.T.U.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 70, 18 March 1912, Page 5

THE W.C.T.U.

THE ANNUAL CONVENTION IN DUNEDIN. tun : -VTho following official report of proceedings at the W.C.T.U. Convention has been forwarded to us:— The twenty-seventh annual convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was opened on March loth by a public welcome gathering in the Art Gallery, Dunedin, Mrs Don presiding. The Mayor (Mr Burnett) extended a civic welcome to the delegates, other speakers being Mr G. M. Thompson, M.P., Rev. Davies (President of the Council of Churches), Mr Adams (President of the United Temperance Reform Council) and Messrs Watson, Gaim and Mrs Don. The welcomes wore acknowledged by Mrs Cole. Musical items were contributed and a Maori delegate presented beautiful bouquets to the Mayoress and to Mrs" Cole.

A public thanksgiving service was held in the evening. On March 14th tho convention commenced its business meetings, 75 delegates answering to the roll call. The president’s address was most comprehensive, dealing with such subjects as education of the young, sex physiology, the Defence Act, women’s crusade, women’s suffrage, economic equality of .married women and domestic science. Congratulations were offered 1 to the women of California, that State being the sixth State to obtain women’s suffrage; also to W.C.T.U. vice-president of tho United States on the victory in Maine and to Mrs Atkinson on her election on the Wellington Licensing Committee. The corresponding secretary’s report showed a present membership of 3600 for the W.C.T.U. throughout the Dominion.

Other reports received and discussed were “Evangelistic,” “Home meetings,” “Cradle Roll,” and “Maori.” THE “WHITE RIBBON.” tPer Press Association.) Dunedin, March IG. Tho W.C.T.U. Convention this morning received the report of the editor of the “White Ribbon,” the official organ. The paper has been increased by four pages, one of which is in the Maori language. The circulation has increased tins' year by 300. The paper, shows a good credit balance for the year. The editor and business manager were both re-ap-pointed. The following resolution was passed at the convention: “We desire to show our appreciation of the address Mr Fla.mauk recently gave at a meeting of the Educational Institute iu Timaru, and wo request the Government to take immediate action to appoint qualified men and women doctors to lecture to elder hoys and girls of schools on sex phsiology on scientific lines.”