W.C.T.U., CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 235, 18 January 1915, Page 14

W.C.T.U., CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA.

The White Ribboners of the C ape Province were mu< h disappointed .it not being able to hold their annual Convention this year, owing to the outbreak of the Euiopcan war, and the consequent unsettled state of the country. It had been decided to meet at Alice, in the Eastern Distrn ts, in September, and the Convention was to be a very spot tal one, it being the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the W.C.'I .L”. in South Africa, and also the Vine l nion hoped to celebrate its twenty first birthday. The disappointment was therefore very keen w hen the general officers decided, under the existing circumstances of war, and unrest, to camel all arrangements lor holding Convention. Later on, however, it was decided to call together a laiger Executive Committee than the U'Ual quarterly one, in order that the reports of officers and superintendents, whic h had been prepared for ( (invention, could be read and adopt (I, the President’s address given, and other urgent matters settled. This Committee met in Capetown on November 3th and hth, the session of the first day being open to the public and the members of the local branches. Miss Knnlic J. Solomon occupied the chair, and the opening devotional services were conducted by Mrs Win. Abbott, ac ting Superintendent of the F.vange fistic Department This service was followed by the leading of tie “Declaration of Principles’’ by the President, while all stood. The reports of the Corresponding Secretary and the two Secretaries were then submitted, all being of .m encouraging natuie, and telling of an inc «a*>ed membership.

Following on these reports was the annual address given by the Pi evident, Mi Solomon. I hi' address was .1 review of the twenty-five years’ growth of the organisation in Smith Africa. Miss Solomon recalled how in 1 SSi> a frail little woman had visited South African shores. Mrs Mary Clement f.eavett had come from America on her “all round ihe world tour.” in order to extend an invitation to all women to join the White Ribbon movement, which had worked such wonders 111 her own land. Before the visit of Mrs Leavctt there had existed one I’nion at Woodstock, or ganised bv Mis Denholm as a result

of a visit to America some time previously, but this branch had been ath bated directly with the World’s W.C.T.I . Miss Solomon then sketched the story of the Women’s Crusade as told by Mrs Leavett m Capetown on June 19th, 18N9, which came as a “bugle call to many, causing them to see neglected duty and bidding them be up and doing.’ * The story, Miss Solomon said, was told with all the earnestness ot an enthusiast, and many responded to her invitation to join the mighty army of White Ribbon women. Thus began the work in the Cape Province, and in 1 Moo the first Convention was held, over which Miss Ferguson, of the Huguenot Seminary, presided. Miss Virginia Pride was elected Pre sident. This Convention only lasted three hours. Two important matters were accomplished. The members solemnly banded themselves together, and formed the W.C.T.L”. of Cape Colony. At this Convention, too, a delegate was appointed to the first World’s Convention, held in Boston in 1891. Miss Solomon then referred to the many activities of the t nion, speaking at length on the various vicissitudes of the White Ribbon magazine, started .is ’s and Otherwise,” and edited for many years by Miss Anna Cummings. A warm and loving tribute was paid to thi* workers and organisers from other lands who had done >0 muc h for South Africa, Mrs Andrews and Dr. Kate Busline 11, Miss Alice Palmer, Miss Jessie A( kermann, the Missc . Vincent and Cummins, and Miss Agnes Slack, all of whom had done mm h to build up the W.C.T.L”. in South Africa. Mrs l ehr, Mrs John Brown, and Mrs II art noil were also affectionately remembered.

Miss Solomon spoke feelingly of several noble comrades of the early days, some of whom were removed to higher service, while many were still among the active workers, and a tender tie bound these to one another.

Though in South Africa no sensational developments, sm h as America had witnessed, can be recorded, we can rejoice in a steady growth of 'Temperance sentiment throughout the country, and the* W.C.T.I”. can claim a large share of thus educating public opinion. We have done much to secure a more general observance of Temperance Sunday. We initiated the movement against the sale of liquor in Defence Force camps, and

it was in our I’nion that the spade work was done which resulted in the establishment of the Duxhurst Home for Inebriate Women.

In com luding this ver> comprehensive address, Miss Solomon earnestly appealed to he r fellow comrades to reconsecrate themselves to this sacred calling.

The reports of the superintendents were extremely interesting, and showed progress in many directions.