W.C.T.U.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 260, 24 March 1911, Page 8

W.C.T.U.

ANNUAL conference. RECEPTION OF DELEGATES. Proceedings in connection with the annual conference of delegates of the Women's Christian Temperance Union opened yesterday. In the afternoon the reception of delegates took place at the Theatre Royal, there being a large and representative attendance of ladies. Then? were on the platform Mc»danics Cole, Douglas, Mitchell, Perryman, Bendlev, Don, Oldham and Blair, as representatives of the New Zealand districts; Mr. IT. Okey, M.P., His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch), and the Revs. Kellow and Laird. The building was artistically decorated for the occasion by the local members of the Union, the furniture being kindly lent by Mr. T. Petty. Mr. G. Tisch (Mayor of New Plymouth), in opening the meeting, said it gave him great pleasure to participate in such a worthy function. On behalf of the citizens, he extended to the delegates a lieartv welcome to New Plymouth. Although not a Prohibitionist himself, he was in full sympathy with much of the work of the Union, and he wished them every success. There -were, he understood, seventy or eighty branches of the Union in New Zealand, and their object was not only to suppress the liquor traffic but to cheer and comfort those who were in need, ne knew of instances whereby surprise packets of clothing had been sent to poor unfortunates in the haekblocks, the help in some cases being very badly needed. Mr. Tisch also referred to the thoughtfulness of the Union in arranging a social for the crew of the Viganella (a sailing vessel which had taken one hundred and sixteen days to sail to New Plymouth), and although only a small number of the crew accepted the invitation he felt .sure that the mothers of those sailors would be very grateful for the hospitality and kindness shown them on the occasion. Each of the crew was presented with a postcard, oil which was a photo representing half a mile of the breakwater, •which had cost £130,000 to construct, and below it read these words, "New Zealand's drink bill for eight days £132,000,". and which, it was evident, could have been spent to better advantage. He was very pleased that such a large number of delegates had come to New Plymouth to attend the convention, and he offered to provide a large brake to convey them to the oil works, so that they might see the operations. He concluded by expressing the hope that the delegates would enjoy their stay here and take back with them many happy recollections of Nqw Plymouth and their sojourn J'r<. Douglas, president of the New Plymriith branch of the W.C.T.U., spoke of llic ffood feeling shown to the delegates by the New Plymouth people, and expressed pleasure at such a large number being present, some coming from as far distant as Hokianga and the Bluff. It had always been her aim to do all she could to assist anyone in need, and she and her associates went forth with their Bibles in their hands and their lamps trimmed, fighting hard for the suppression of the drink traffic. The work needed the sympathy and support of all in favor of prohibition, and she hoped that their number would increase. The Rev. J. P. Kellow welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Ministers' Association and the district churches, and wished them every success in their movement to do away with strong drink. They were gaining in jnftuence and strength, and, with God on their side, they must accomplish their objects. Mr. Okey, M.P., expressed his pleasure at being present, and desired to extend a hearty welcome to the visiting members of the Union, and hoped that success would attend their deliberations. He mentioned that the influence of the W.C.T.U. was felt in the House of Representatives, and good had resulted. The law prohibiting the supply of drink in an hotel to all those under the age of twenty-one years was one result of that influence, He was very pleased that this law had been passed, for it undoubtedly was in the interests of the people. In conclusion, he hoped that the visiting l members' stay in New Plymouth would] be beneficial to the New Plymouth branch, that they would visit the oil wells and other points of interest, and! when they departed for their various homes they would take with them a, favorable impression of the town and their brief association with it. Mrs. Cole, of Christchurch, president of the Dominion, returned thanks for the kindness already shown by the New Ply-j mouth people, which they all appreciated. It wouldj»ive them great pleasure to accept iMr. Tisc'h's offer to provide a conveyance to take them to the oil works. It would, she facetiously observed, be much nicer to see oil on tap than something else. Talking of their work, she said it was their intention to fight the drink traffic to a standstill, and hoped that in a short time they would be able to turn off all the taps, which were nothing but a curse to the people. It was the duty of all women who had any spare time to joii their forces and combat an eril that had robbed life, peace, comfort, and happiness from many a home. They should assist at once, if only for the children's sakes. Every mother knew well enough that if anyone interfered with her childrefi she would at once defend them. Why, therefore, not protect them from a worse enemy? The W.C.T.U.' was a world-wide organisation, just the same as the Free Masons, Oddfellows, or other lodges. They were represented in fifty different countries, and had' a total of more than half a million members, all banded together for the prohibition of opium, strong drink, etc. She was glad to hear Mr. Okey speak of the work of the Union as he had done, and to feel that so many members of Parliament iWere oil their side. She was pleased to .say that the W.C.T.U. was the only organisation that had petitioned Parliament for the prohibition of drink to young men under twenty-one years of age. It would be well for the people when this great curse was done away with. All know the harmful effect of' alcohol on the human body. She spoke of the temperance work beiii" done in the schools bv the W.C.T.U., in the wav 1 of showing the effect alcohol had on the brain, etc., knowledge that must prove of great benefit to them in after life. i n conclusion, she said that all tho.o'whn 1 were willing to join the Union should

eome at oiico; they would,lie heartily! welcomed.

During the afternoon, (he hymn "All Round the World" was sting. Songs were contributed by Mr.?. Stubbs and Mr. F. Hooker, and pianoforte selections by Miss Warren and Mr. Renaud. Refreshments were also handed round.

AN EVENING WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

This was the title of an entertainment organised by the local branch of the W.C.T.U. in connection with the annual convention, and it drew a big crowd to the Theatre Royal last night. It was an entertainment with an object, and that object was to show in a forcible and realistic, yet simple and easily assimilated manner, the aims of' the W.C.T.U. and the progress they have made towards their achievement. And they succeeded, for after hearing the explanations of some of the spheres in which they labor and the illustrations submitted in support, the most obtuse ! must have left the hall with some knowledge of the good work the W.C.T.U. has set itself to carry out in its endeavor to make the world better and brighter. Mr. H. Okey, M.P., presided, and gave a brief address. The programme opened with a hymn, "All Round the World," after which Misses Smith played a piano trio, "Silver Trumpets," very ably. The "Cradle Roll," a method of enrolling babies or children of any age, was explained in a short lecturette by Mrs. Douglas. By this, parents and guardians, who need not necessarily be total abstainers, promised to train their children in temperance. A number of children sang several appropriate pieces. The L.T.L. songs and lessons illustrated the methods adopted by the W.C.T.U. in Band of Hope work. Mrs. Moodie, of the Bluff, explained the "Y" wdrk—a system of training young women to help others, to visit the sick, to make garments for the poor, etc. A chorus of thirty young ladies demonstrated this very nicely. Miss Smith, L.A.8., L.T.C.L., rendered a piano solo, "Polacca in E" (Weber), which evoked! much applause. Mrs. Oldham, editress of "The White; Ribbon," the official organ of the W.C.T.U., spoke on the need of work among the Maoris, in order to uplift the race, and counteract the vices introduced by the English people. The native women, she said, are to be taught the training and feeding of children, hygiene and sanitary methods. Mrs. Rebecca Smith ("To Rauhanga"), who intends to take up this work, sang a pleasing item in Maori. The entertainment concluded with a musical dialogue, entitled "The Family that' Lived in a Shoe." symbolically portraying the successful issue of the fight that the organisation is wag'.;:g against the drink traffic. The varir h parts were well taken, showing careful and thorough training. The solos were exceedingly well rendered, but perhaps the gem was a duet by Dolores and Mrs. W.C.T.U., "Why am I Homeless To- ' night?" The choruses were sweetly rendered. The principal parts wore as follow: "Mrs. W.C.T.U.," Miss Keys; "Her daughter Evangel," Miss Brabyn; "Educia," Miss M. Blanchett; "Equality," Miss Madge Bullot; "Sophie," Mrs. Rebecca Smith; "Matilda," Miss Harre; "Dolores," Miss Emily Gkatterton; "Maori Boy," Master Willie Olliver; "New Zealand," Mr. C. Pepperell; "King Alcohol," Mr. Milton Scott; "Senator Moneybags," Mr. Lee Bullot. The Temperance Chain, Band of Hope choruses, etc., were taken by a number of wee mites. The accompaniments were played by Miss Douglas. During the evening a collection was taken up and a good sum roalised. Prior to singing the National Anthem, those who took part in the proceedings were accorded a vote of thanks. The whole programme was carried through without the slightest hitch or hesitation on the part of any of the young performers, a high tribute to the thorough training they have received in the past few weeks from Mrs. Douglas.