W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1916, Page 8

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL DISTRICT. At the Good Templar Hull yesterday morning a number of "White Ribbon" workers gathered to discuss and further the .various departments of their, work, ladies were present .from Putea, Hawera, Normanby, Ngaere, Urenui, Stratford, Manaia, and Eltham. The meeting opened with devotional exercises and then Mrs. Allen Douglas, president of the district,, gave a warm welcome to the delegates and visitors. Miss M. T. Phillips, of Ngaere, replying . on their behalf. Reporters for various papers were appointed, and Hiss Phillips was appointed , Convention letter writer, and) Miss Gaunt was appointed Mistress of Courtesies, i Notes of sympathy were passed to the following members: Mrs. Kennington, Miss Jones, Miss Johnson, Miss Mynott. Reports of Unions were then given by the delegates, and proved that much good work is being done by the county Unions, New Plymouth reported that 2011 'signatures for six o'clock closing had already been secured, and Ngaere reported that over. 300 signatures had beer, taken. ~ The following resolution was passed ' by Convention, all members standing: ' "That this Provincial Convention, sit- i ting in New Plymouth (Taranaki), tenders its loving sympathy to our White Ribbon sisters in this Dominion and ' the world over, on account of this cruel ' war. "He fashioneth all our hearts ' alike," and we are women, most of Ivhom have given beloved ones to the service of our country, and sorrow with all sorrowing distressed anxious ones. We believe that the tie that binds will yet |be found stronger than the differences of race or nation, and we look forward to the day when a world-wide peace will be established, through the reign of the King of Peace in the hearts of men." Mrs. Douglas expressed her pleasure at the very, splendid report of the work done by the Ngaere Union, and Miss Povydrell reported the forming of a very successful Union at Urenui. The afternoon session was opened by Mrs. Phillips (Ngaere), in prayer. Miss Powell, Dominion organiser, gave an address on the duties of officers of Unions. It proved most interesting, and was given in Miss Powell's most humorous and njcy manner. Mrs. Douglas reported an increase of membership in the Unions of 411 since August, 1!)14. Five minutes' speeches by members of the Convention followed, Miss Maunder (Hawera) being the first speaker. Her subject was ''Temperance Instruction in Schools.' ' Airs. Jamison, of Tariki, spoke next on "The Responsibility of the British Nation." Mrs. M. ''Phillips' (Ngaere), subject was "Thought Power." Rev. A. B. Chappell, who was judge of th&> competition, in a very helpful speech to the competitors, awarded the price to Mrs. Phillips. Miss Powell moved a resolution as follows: "That in the interests of religion and public morality, during the continuance of the war, all licensed bars (in hotels and clubs), should be closed from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and that the habit of shouting or treating bo made illegal; and that the resolution be forwarded to the Hon. Prime Minister and the member for the district.—Carried. The''' election of officers resulted: President, Mrs. Douglas; secretary, Mrs. M. T: Phillips; treasurer, Mrs. Jamison. Votes of thanks to all who had.assisted in the Convention were proposed, and carried by acclamation. The singing of "All Round the World," the White Ribbon hymn, closed the Convention, THE EVENING CONCERT. Considering the inclemency of the weather there was a good attendance at the concert in the Good Templar Hall in the evening. Mrs. Douglas, Provincial President, presided, and Miss Powell, Dominion organiser, was also on the platform. The proceedings opened with a verse of the National Anthem, and then a very entertaining programme was submitted. The following gave contributions: Pianoforte, duet, Misses Ambury and Douglas; song, Miss Mclsaacs; song, Rev. C. H. Olds; song, Mrs. Sommervillc I (encored); vocal duet, Mrs. and Rev. A. B. Chappell (encored): recitation, Rev. C. H. Olds; duet, Mrs. Somerville . and Miss Hurrell; dialogue, "The Greatest King," King Alcohol (Miss Brokenshire); Russia (Miss Matterson); , France (Miss Campbell);' John Bull ■ (Miss Blanchard). Miss Douglas was a most sympathetic , accompanist. . During, the evening, Rev. A. B. Cliappell, jmljrp of the elocutionary contest, i presented the prize to the winner, Mrs. Phillips, of Ngaere. Mrs. Douglas, in introducing Miss , Powell, explained that the concert was , held in aid of the W.C.T.U. patriotic '. effort. Cards had been issued to members to be returned when £1 had been collected on them, and in this way it 1 was hoped to raise £7OOO, which would be handed over to the Y.M.C.A. for our ; boys at the front. Miss Powell, who gave an interesting ! address on the work of the W.C.T.U., expressed astonishment that there was so ! much confusion regarding their work, considering the length of time they had been in existence. It had been estnb- \ lished 40 years in America, and 30 years , in New Zealand. It had stood the test of years, and the Premier had stated ', that the W.C.T.U. was now a power in j the land. Miss Powell outlined their | I various spheres of usefulness, which included the establishment of Sailors' Rests, Homes for Friendless Girls, etc. The main object of the W.C.T.U. was [ to make the world cleaner and better for ' the children, who arc growing up. She ' urged the women to work hard for the ' great aim of National Prohibition. If ' every woman had voted National Prohibition, drink would have been cleared ' out of the country long ago.