AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 244, 18 October 1915, Page 11

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

The first provincial convention of the various branches in the Auckland province was held on the 15th and 16th of September in the C entral Mission Hall, Albert Street, Mrs J. Cook, (President of the Auckland l nion) presided, and welcomed the visiting delegates in a few well-chosen words. There were sixty delegates present, representing Auckland, Ponsonby, Birkenhead, Takapuna, Otahuhu, Warkworth, Matakana, Onehunga, Waihi, Opotiki, Morrinsville, Hamilton, Ngaruawahia, Pukekohe, Papakura. llikurangi. The first business was the adoption of a model constitution. Reports were submitted from the various branches, which showed pood propress, and an increase of membership all round. Bad roads in some of the country districts had militated against regular attendance of members, but all the branches had done good work during the past year, especially in patriotic movements.

Greetings were received from the branches at Cambridge, Waiuku, and Opotiki. Letters of apology were read from Dr Florence Kellar and Mrs Saunders. Decided a telegram of sympathy be sent to Dr F. Kellar, who was leaving Wellington that night for America on account of her father’s illness. Wednesday afternoon, Mrs Smeeton addressed Convention on “A Day with the British Executive in London." The speaker outlined the good work that kindred societies were doing in England towards providing comforts for the soldiers, and in doing their utmost to encourage the men to abstain from alcoholic liquor. Miss Evans made an appeal for “recruits" in the Temperance campaign. A vocal item, “The Shadows," was given by Miss Scott of Mt. Eden. Thursday, devotional exercises were led by Mrs Morrison of Warkworth.

A great part of the morning was devoted to the answering of questions and interesting remarks were made on a number of subjects. Mrs Porter explained the gift auction. A deputation was introduced from the Auckland Peace Society by Mrs Pudney, the speaker being Mrs Blundell. Iwo interesting papers were read “Woman: Her Power," by Mrs Morrison, and “A ''.Oman’s Mission," by Mrs Snow of Hamilton. Mrs Snow dealt more particularly with the rearing of children from the cradle. Mrs Morrison said that by bringing up her children in the way they should go, a woman was laying the right foundation for the future generations. Songs were sung by Mrs Fountain and Miss Ogilvie. The election of officers resulted in the Auckland officers being elected for the first year. It is hoped the next provincial convention will be held in Hamilton. The Convention closed with the initiatory service, four new members joining.

On Thursday evening, at the request of the W.C.T.U., Mrs (Dr) W. H. Parkes repeated her lecture on work at the base hospital in Egypt. Mrs Parkes told how the great hospital near Cairo (where the Australasians were treated) was b»*ing extended to cope with the increasing numbers of wounded, and she asked those present to assist in the work of keeping up the supplies of clothing. A collection was taken up for patriotic purposes. The followings resolutions were passed during Convention : That this meeting of the Provincial Convention of the Auckland Women’s Christian Temperance Union realises in the present troubled condition of international affairs a call to declare its unswerving loyalty to the British Throne. It recognises the high and honourable motives that have influenced the action of the British Government in the present war, and prays that wisdom may be given to those in authority to continue to take such steps as may be necessary to lead to

a peace th.it will be established on a basis of national and international righteousness. The following resolution, addressed to the Minister for Defence, was passed : That this meeting of the Auckland Provincial Convention of the* Women’s Christian Temperance l nion, composed chiefly of mothers (many of whom have sons in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces) would earnestly appeal to you to take some steps to prevent the men wearing the King’s uniform spending so much of their time in the liquor bars of our towns and cities. We believe that under the guise of friendship, the open bar is allowed to wound many soldiers before they reach the firing-line, and so disqualify them for efficient service. We therefore trust that you will give to our men, who are making such sacrifices for our Empire, protection from this enemy. That the Government be urged to provide for the closing of hotel bars at 1 p.m. on the statutory half-holiday observed by other trades in the same distr'et.