W.C.T.U.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 312, 11 February 1910, Page 4

W.C.T.U.

ANNUAL CONVENTION.

By Telegraph.—Press' Association. Invercargill, Last Night.

The delegates to the twenty-fifth an. nual convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union started business , to-day under the presidency of Mrs. Cole, of Christchurch. Among the numerous greetings received was one from the Countess of Carlisle (world's president). Correspondence was read from the Foreign Office, London, and R. S. Meikltffohn, secretary to the King. Mrs. Cole, New Zealand president, read a comprehensive address, noting a number of interesting happenings which had' taken place in different parts of the world since . the lasl convention. The corresponding secretary's report showed the adult membership of the Dominion to be 25515 women, 251 of these being Maoris. There are 438 on the cradle roil and 432 children enrolled in the £au% of Hope. The Hamilton branch hires a room which is lent to young men for use at their athletic club meetings. Ngaire sends literature to the bush camps. iTiree unions own and support Sailors' Rests, and a fourth is in progress, while a number of country unions make comfort bags for the sailors. Wellington has a girls' institute and Invercargill carries on a home for •friendless girls, to which has been added a maternity ward. Invercargill also presented a scat to the town. o~tlier unions carry on tents at the local A. and P. shows, maintain rest rooms for women, have secured temperance teaching in schools, and carrier! out a number of plans for the benefit of humanity. Letters ot greeting were directed to be seit to the White Ribboners. Resolutions were passed expressing appreciation of the work of the Karitane Home, and oi the action of the Otago University in founding a chair of domestic science. Several departmental reports wercread, and Mrs. Papakura took her seat, representing the native branch at Colac Bay.