RECEPTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 250, 18 April 1916, Page 11

RECEPTION.

On Wednesday evening a public reception was accorded to the members of the Convention. There was a goodlv gathering in St. Paul's Hall, including most of the delegates and a large number of the leading residents of Wanganui. The meeting was presided over by Mrs Blamires, the President of the Wanganui District Union, and on the platform were Mrs Don, Mrs Sampson, the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr McColl, Rev. Radford, and Hon. E. Carson. After devotional exercises, Mrs Blamires, in the name of the Wanganui Union, welcomed the delega r es to the city. She said she welcom 1 them as Christian women and as Temper. .re women, because of the id< .Is ry which they stood. Nowadays physical forces and mental forces were receiving due recognition, but we did not always realise the strength of the spiritual forces at our command. We were up against hard facts, for in 3 pite of the war, more money than ever was being spent on drink and the totalisator, yet victory was assured if only we made full use of these spiritual forces. She hoped that the Convention would be productive of great good, and that delegates would get fresh strength and inspiration.

His Worship the Mayor gave the members a hearty welcome in the name of the citizens. Many activities, he said, must be curtailed by reason ol the war, but this was not the case with all. Education was more than ever a necessity, and the great social movements must and would go War was the greatest test for a in time of war great moral “Usances xvt ‘ r< ‘ made, and elements of character were hardened up. We must not relax our efforts in any gu'M cause. He wished the visitors a pleasant time and great success in their work. Mrs Sampson, in the name of the patriotic women societies of Wanganui, expressed pleasure at the preM*n< e of the W.C.T.U., and in a nanpy speech complimented the members on having braved all the dang' iv ( t a journey, not shrinking even • ujni opening their proceedings on so fateful day as the Ides of March. Mr McColl, welcoming the delegates on behalf of the Temperance societies, said the W.C.T.U. was entitled to respect, for it stood for every possible reform. He naid a waim tribute to the high qualities of such leaders as Mrs Sheppard and Mrs A. R. Atkinson, and reminded all that they had .1 high standard to reach. I here was important work before them, for they must try to bring home to the Government of New Zealand the necessity for moving in such matters as *■ ffioutmg” and early closing, so that tne efficiency of our soldiers might be maintained. Rev. Radfcrd, representing the Ministers' Association, said he was sure the meeting o' the Convention would lie an uplift to the home, for the W.C.T.U. placed God first. Referring tu the “anti-shouting” petition, this was the psychological moment for it. In that city almost all the lawyers and all the medical men had signed it.

Hon. K. Carson reminded the members that women were now eligible for the Legislative Council, so soon as the corresponding Bill was passed in the Lower House, and he gave a striking incident proving the fitness of such women as Mrs Atkinson for a seat in Parliament and other responsible positions. Mrs Don, in responding, made some humorous references to the fires and the earthquake that had occurred in seeming welcome to the delegates. She said we were still marching on, and should continue to do so till we had banished liquor from the State. In the words of the well-known liquor advertisement, we were still “going strong.” working as ever for every reform. and in view of the present w a r conditions, which she thought were really worst for the women who wait at home, we should pray, like the old woman in the prayer meeting, to be kept cheerful. She thanked each and all for the kind and cordial words with which the delegates had been welcomed, and she also hoped that this visit to Wanganui would result in

hiuch good to the local Union and to the Temperance cause in general. During the evening several vocal items were contributed, which added greatly to the enjoyment of the guests. The proceedings were wrought to a (lose by singing the Doxology and pronouncing the Bcncdict ion.