W.C.T.U.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10712, 4 September 1912, Page 5

W.C.T.U.

DISTRICT CONY- ENTI ON. The annual district Convention in connection with the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held at Masterton yevterday, about twenty delegates being present.

At 9.30 a.m. a devotional service was held, led by Mrs Peryman, and at 10 o'clock, Mrs Boxall, District President, took the chair. The minutes of the last District Convention were read by the secretary. Voters of sympathy were passed to Mesdamey To Tan and Pauling.

The treasurer (Mrs Houlder) read; ihe balance-sheet, showing a cirall balance in hand.

Reports were read from ihe following Unions:—Wellington District, Wellington Central, Masterton, Upper Hutt, Wcllincton "Y" bra".:ch, and Petone. A discussion on tho reports followed. '

At the afternoon-session a devotional meeting was conducted by Mrr.' Houlder. .

The question box took up the first hour, and many questions of interest were answered and a lively discussion took place. The following resolutions were pass-ed:—-(1) We hereby pledge ourselves to vote for the candidate who supports, a reduction of the three-fifths ma-j jority. (2) We, the members of the; W.C.T.U., in convention assembled, protest strongly against any legisla-j •tion increasing the number of totalka-, tor dividends. In view of the fact that the great evil of gambling amongst our men, women and youths' is "so fostered by this State-licensed betting machine, We earnestly urge the Government to aubmit the question of its retention or abolition to a referendum of the people." Mrs Peryman then read an address by Mrs Lilian Stevens, one of the World's Vice-Presidents) of the W.C.T.U., dealing with the great fight the women had in Maine to help to keep Prohibition. | Mrc, Neal read a paper written by Mrs Lill. of Ashburton, and one on Domestic Science. • Mrs Houlder read a letter from Mrs Cole re the administration of the funds of the Union. In the evening a public meeting i was held, when Mrs Peryman delivered an able and interesting address en- | titled "Women in Civic and Political . Life." A number of musical items were rendered,'and a- collection was taken tip hi aid - r the funds of the Union.