W.C.T.U.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 45, 15 August 1911, Page 8

W.C.T.U.

ANNUAL PROVINCIAL CONVENTION. The annual Provincial Convention of the Taranaki Women's Christian Temperance Unions was held in the Ngaere Hall on August 9, and was the largest and most enthusiastic gathering of the sort ever 'held in the province. Over seventy delegates and visitors from all parts of the district, coming from as far south as Wanganui. The morning session was opened by Mrs. M. T. Phillips, president of the Ngaere Union. The crusade hymn, ''Give to the winds thy fears," was sung, followed by the reading of the 146 th Psalm, and prayer. Mrs. Phillips then gave a short address of welcome to the delegates and visitors, expressing the pleasure with which the Ngaere Union had looked forward to the Convention, and how honored they felt to entertain so many visitors. Beatrice, the little daughter of Mrs. Hardy Jones, superintendent of the Cradle Roll department, then handed Mrs. Douglas, district president, and Miss Ambury, district secretary, two beautiful bouquets of violets on behalf of the children of the Cradle Roll. Mrs. Douglas replied, thanking the little ones for their beautiful and fragrant gift, and then proceeded with her address to the Convention. She referred in loyal terms to the Coronation of King George and Queen Mary, and wished them a long and peaceful reign. She then went on to mention the steady advance the Unions had made during the last year, both in membership and influence, and thanked the smaller Unions for the way in which they had helped New Plymouth when the Dominion Convention was held' there in March last, expenses being easily met, and something to spare. All Unions wero busy preparing for the great No-License campaign, and every effort was being put forth to wipe out the drink traffic from our beautiful land. The women's crusade work is being pushed on with wonderful success. Their brothers of the No-License Leagues were rendering them every assistance. Mrs. Douglas then mentioned the death of Mr. T. E. Taylor, and the great loss to the cause, also the Earl of Carlisle and many other humbler workers who had gone to their eternal reward. The Convention, standing, passed a resolution of sympathy with Mrs. T. E. Taylor in the loss of her husband.

Mrs. Jamison, recording secretary, read the minutes of the last Convention,, held in Stratford in August, 1910, and called the roll. Over 40 answered to their names.

Reports of progress were read by the delegates of the following Unions: Wangamii, Mrs. Siddells; Waverley, Miss Ambery, D.S.; Hawera, Miss Taylor; Elthain, Mrs. Murray; Ngaere, Miss Kennington: Stratford, Mrs. MacKay; Tajiki, Mrs. Jamison; Waitara, D.S.j New Plymouth, Miss Ambury; Manaia, D.S.; Matapu, D.vS.; Otakeho, D.S. A report on the work of the Woman's Crusade was very ably given by Miss Black, secretary, showing the great interest and the amount of work being done by the women all over the province. Then followed a very interesting and instructive paper on "How to work the Onisade." The morning session closed with'the Benediction, and the guests sat down to ft very appetising lunch, prepared entirely by .the Ngaere ladies, which was much appreciated. The afternoon session was opened by Adjutant Gray, Salvation Army, of Eltham. The Rev. J. M. Thompson, Stratford, then gave a short but very helpful address, full of valuable suggestion. Mrs. Siddells followed with a paper on the best way to work Home Meetings, and told of efforts being made in this direction. Mrs. Kennington gave a short sketch of the Home Work, as done in

England. Miss Taylor, of Hawera, read a paper on the duties of the Union secretary. Mr. Wake, Mayor of Eltham, was next called upon, and in a few well-chosen words, expressed his pleasure at being present, and his admiration of the wofk done by the women of New Zealand Unions. He then gave his views on NoLicense as afl'ecting the interests of the people of New Zealand. Miss Grimley, the English lecturer, who was the principal guest of the day. was introduced by Mrs. Douglass, and was received very warmly. She gave ninteresting account, of her journey out t . Xew Zealand in company with Miss Anderson Hughes, and of tlie meetings held at the various ports of call, concluding with an outline of her work in New Zealand. A vote of thanks to the various speakers was proposed by Mrs. M. T. Phillips, and carried with enthusiasm.

This closed the work of the afternoon session, when a large number of guests were entertained at tea. The evening meeting opened with the singing of "All round the world," and prayer bv Mr. Liddell. Mr. Walter Wickham, who occupied the chair, in well-chosen remarks introduced Mr. Bellringer, of New Plymouth, who spoke on No-License, and earnestly hoped that every effort would be made to save our land from the curse of strong drink. The next item was a very pretty one hy six little girls, called '"The Cradle Song." A prettily draped cradle was carried on to the stage, the girls following, marching to musie played by Mrs. Jones. They sang a lullabv, rocking the cradle tlie while. Mr. Douglas explained that the lHtle scene was illustrative of the work done amongst the mothers in training their babies in temperance principles. The little girls received a very hearty encore.' Miss Grimley once more addressed tlie large audience, and spoke in a very happy, womanly manner on the evil effects of alcohol on home life, and expressed her astonishment that the people of New Zealand spent more per head on liquor than the people in England. The speaker mado a very pleasing impression on the audience, "her sweet and lady-like mode of speech having a very far-reaching effect, and quite disproves the impression fostered by the public press that the suffragettes of Britain are notorious characters. Mr. Liddell then spoke, and gave many interesting facts about Ashburton. Miss M. Keish sang and received an encore, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman -and speakers.—Correspondent.