W.C.T.U.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 46, 19 March 1909, Page 2

W.C.T.U.

TUB IiEFOKT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, March 18. At the Women's Christian Temperance ] Union Convention to-day a report was presented showing that at present the membership was 18")'), anil gratilicatioa was expressed at tiie splendid advance made. The local option poll vote fur nolicense in the Dominion lias lieen growing steadilv, continued the report, and the last poll gave the niagnilieent majority of 33,331 votes u,er opponents. it is hoped and believed that the U.C.1.1. will give all possible help to the agitation lor tile removal of the tliree-liftlis disability from the temperance section of the community, and in the opinion of the Union it is much to be regretted that every no-license voter does not feel bound to vote reduction as well as nolicense. In country districts rciiuctioi' would mean prohibition over a largt area, and consequently temptations t< I drink would be less numerous and tin

result lessened drunkenness. And now | that the no-license party is gaming in: numbers and iniluence it is time to claint) from Parliament the right of Dominion option by a bare majority. I lie Luioii condemns the establishment of canteens at military camps and in some of the orderly rooms, and it also makes protest against drinking oil trains and the placarding of liquor advertisements at railway stations. Referring to Cabinet reconstruction, the report says tliat to say the new appointments are satisfactory to the progressive or the party of relorm would be far from the truth; in fact, Sir ,1 oseph AV'ard seems to have gone out ot his way to show contempt for those who stand for the defence of all that is best in national life.