W.C.T.U. CONVENTION IN VICTORIA.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 246, 18 December 1915, Page 5

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION IN VICTORIA.

The W.C.T.U. in Victoria held theii annual Convention last October, when the report ot the work done was most encouraging. in spite ot mui.h t.me and energy being given to Red Cross and other kinds ot patriotic work, their one peculiar work shows no signs of neglect. I'wenty-one new brain hes have been organised during this year, and their membership has im reused 1000 for th•* year. Will New Zealand show anything like a corresponding increase ? We give a few extracts from tin opening address ot their President, Mrs Downing: “Our ideals of national patriotism consist in bring.ng our soldiers and civilians up to the highest pit* h of national efficiency by giving to them that only which will make them able to think and act quickly, to shoot accurately, withstand disease and wounds effectively, and increase brain and nerve power, either for battle field or workshop use. As members of the W.C.T.U. and loyal citizens of the Kmpire, we are engaged to tight the greatest foe tnat the world has ever contended against —King Alcohol. Are we going to make Victoria a safe home for our returned heroes? Australia might now lead the world in the matter of social reform if all her women were united to cast out the enemy within. Much of our duty as an organisation in the future will be to bring to bear upon the liquor war the same force of character and qualities of mind which our soldiers have exhibited on the battlefield. ” Mrs Downing stated that the immediate objective of the Union was to forward a great national movement for the closing of hotels at 0 p.m., the abolition of the “shouting” evil, the abolition of the employment of barmaids, and the education of the electors of Victoria (the majority of whom are women) to vote .for NoLicense in 117.