Thirty-Second Annual Convention OF THE N.Z. W.C.T.U. HELD IN Baptist Tabernacle, Queen Street, Auckland, March 21st to 29th, 1917.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 262, 18 April 1917, Page 2

Thirty-Second Annual Convention OF THE N.Z. W.C.T.U. HELD IN Baptist Tabernacle, Queen Street, Auckland, March 21st to 29th, 1917.

(Abridged.) Convention opened with devotions, President, basing her address on Joshua i., and giving a *> keynote to Convention the words, “Something for Thee.” Roll call, 89, 53 being new members. Proxies arranged for 12 I nions. Members of Convention. New Zealand Officers. —Mrs Don, Dom nion President; Miss Henderson, Dominion Corresponding Secretary; .\iis r.vans, Donna. on KccorcLng Secr. ta.y; Mrs Dendely, Dominion 1 ieasurei ; airs Pervnian, ha.tor "White luooon ; Miss i oweil, Doni.nion Organiser ; Mrs Waikcr, Maori Organising i icasurei ; airs World's i\i ssionary, an » *. /.. Supeinitenacni i;>r Peace a d Arbnrat.on. District President —Airs Crabb (Pa.m.iMon N.), Mr? Rule (Timaru), Airs Cooke (Auc ki.i'id), .Nils ll.eu (Dunedin), Mis Uoulucr (Wellington), Aifs V M til'iif (Gisborne), Airs Watson (Nelson). District Secretaries. —Miss N. Dewar (Auckland), Airs Sinclair (Blenheim), Mrs Dennett (Wcll.ngton), Mrs Payior (Auckland, Recording Secretary)) Mrs Griffin (New Plymoutn), Airs ( pton (V\ai.ganui), Mrs Chellew (Napier). District 1 reamers. Mrs Clausen (Paimersion N.), Miss Dewar (Auckland), Miss 1 aunt (New Plymouth). Superintend nts of Departments.Mrs Duxfield (Press), Mrs Dearie ve (Literature), Nils Judson (Good Citiunsh.p), Miss Maunder (Scientific Temperance), Mrs J. Wright (Kvan gelist c), Mrs Neal (L.T.L., Cradle Koll, and Med.c.tl 1 cmp. ranct ), Miss Alacarihy (Pur.ty and Moral Education). Delegates.—Mrs Pate (Invercargill), Miss Begg (N.E. Valley), Mrs Allan (Sawyer’s Bay), Mrs Robinson (Ashburton), Mrs Comyns (Oxford), Mrs Napier (Christchurch), Airs Martin (Christchurch), Airs Hill (Nelson), Mrs Emmett (Nelson), Mrs Westney (Wakapuaka), Airs Banks (Greytown), Mrs Atkinson (Wellington Central), Mrs Murgatroyd (IN tone), Mrs Lumlev (Palmerston N\), Mrs Robbins (Palmerston N.), Airs Chittenden (Lower llutt), Miss Checkley (Pahiatua), Airs Andrews (Wanganui E.), Mrs Scott (Normanby), Mrs Parkinson (Manaia), Mrs Phillipps (Strat ford), Miss Ellis (Ngaere), .Miss ()|-

sen (Norsewobd), Mrs llopkirk (Waipukurau), Mrs Moore (Hastings), Mrs Hancock (Woodville), Mrs Brown (Morrinsville), Mis Watson (Cambridge), Mrs Clift (Hamilton), Mrs Garraway (Auckland), Mrs W. Taylor (Auckland), Miss Wilson (Auckland), Mrs Little (Devonport), Mrs Gilbert! (Henderson), Airs Nelson (llikurangi), Mrs Roke (Matakana), Mrs Logan (Onehunga), Mrs Francis (Opotiki), Mrs West (Otahuhu), Mrs Penning (Takapuna), Mrs Plummer (Ponsonby), Mrs Chappell (T.turanga), Miss Griffen (Whangarei), Mrs Morrison (Warkworth), Mrs Collier (Wanganui), Mrs Heard (Waihi), Miss Jordan (Feilding), Mrs Jarvie (Te Kuiti), Mrs Todd (Birkenhead), Mrs Scott (Marion), Mrs Manukau (Paahi), Mrs Noda (Otamatea), Mrs Nathan (Auckland), Mrs Hamana (Paahi). V. Branch Delegates.—Mrs R. Smith (Wanganui), Aliss Knapp (Nelson), Miss Waterman (Oxford). Proxies. —Airs Shepherd (for Masterton), Mrs Neison (ioi Greyroouth), Mrs Dishop (tor INnwald), Mrs Jennson (for Wannate), Mrs Martindale (ror Winchiiiorc-Gret nstn et), Mrs Scanlon (for Haweia), Airs (joodali Lor Port Chalmers), Mrs Fulljaines (for Kaiapoi), Mrs Jamison (tor Waipaw.i), Mrs Black (for Bluft), Mrs Byciort (tor R chmond), Airs Dukin (tor Lvtielton). Mrs Napier (for South Duned.n). Rpjjort of Executive meeting, that Wednesday afternoon’» work in Agenda Paper would b taken Saturday morning, and that nom nations for any Super.ntendent tf Department would be received from any delegate up to Wednesday morning. Notice given re appointment of Resolutions Committee.

Appointments made for Committee of Courtesies (Misses Dewar) Convention Letterwriter (Miss Powell), Pr« ss Reporters, and Agent for Sale* of Newspapers (Miss Weymouth). Greetings received from Pah atua, Wanganui 1.0.G.T., Palmerston N., Auckland Total Abstinence Society, Auckland 1.0.G.T., Otago and Auckland Band of Hope L nions, British Dominions Woman Suffrage Union, Sweden W.C.T.I’., Mrs K. Lent Stevenson, and Nambour Union, Queensland (samples of sugar cane manufacture). Corresponding Secretary’s report: 97 Unions at end of 1916, 93 adults, 4 Y’s. Total membership, 3639. Adopted. Treasurer's Report and BalanceSheet : Credit balance at beginning of year, £B2 8s lod; receipts, £146 14s sc!; expenditure, £142 14s Bd. Credit balance at end of year £B6 8s 7d. Banner Contest: Absolute increase: Auckland District, 86. Next in order: Nelson District, 57; Nelson Y’s, 46; Palmerston N., 45. Percentage of Increase: Nelson Y’s, 219 per cent. Next in order —Hikurangi, 175 per cent.; Aloriinsville, 170 per cent. — Adopted,

Organising Treasurer’s Report and Balance-sheet: Credit balance «.t beginning of year, £lOl 5s 2d; rece.pts, £172 18s 3d; expenditure, £135 4* Bd. Credit balance at end, £l3B 18s gd. Aggregate Balance - sheet of Branches: Balance at beginning of year, £456 1( ) s receipts, £373^ 19s 4a; expenditure, £3391 2s 3d. Balance at end, £BO2 iOs. Assets and Liabilities of 10 Unions: Assets. £4667; liabilities, £075. Lx cess of assets over liabilities, £3692.Reports adopted. Organiser’s Report: Work mainly in North Island —Taranaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty. Seven new Unions formed, one Union revived, seve”: L.T.L.’s formed. — Report adopted, with tributes paid to Organiser’s devotion and her efforts on behalf of the “White Ribbon.” Minutes of last session of 1916 Convention read and confirmed. Letters of sympathy to Mrs Da'dy, Mrs Webb of Ormondville, wife and fam 1131 of Rev. F. W. Isitt, Mr (>l<l- - and M.ss Harrison, Airs J. Hunter of Tuakau, Mrs Jones of Ham.lton, Mrs Cranch of Devonport l n.on, relatives of Airs J. Kent or Ponsonby, and of Mrs D. C. Cameron 0 1 Dunedin. Miss Maunder moved notice of motion re N.Z Superintendent:, of Departments having seat on Executive tfuring session of Convention. Amendment moved to place on Executive Superintendents tf ce r t.un Departments only. Consideration postponed till after report of Subcommittee on Classification of Departments dealt with. Resolved: “ 1 hat our tenderest sympathy be conveyed personalty by our delegates, or by letter, to mothers and triends of fallen soldiers wherever they can be reached; that this resolution of our whole Convention he conveyed in such a manner as to show our love to those* who have suffered for our safety, and to draw them to our ranks.” AFTERNOON SESSION. Devotions (Mrs Atkinson). Rod call, 101. Minutes. Greetings from Alasterton, Wanganui East, Mrs Webb, Paaki l nion, Mrs E. B. Miller. Mrs Moulder moved notice of motion re nouiin.it on of N.Z. Superintendents of Departments by Unions, with addition that names be- sent in to Corresponding Secretary and referred to Executive.--Motion carried. Mrs Crabb moved notice of motion re appointment of proxies. After considerable discussion, it was lost. Presidential address. Adopted by acclamation. High appreciation of its excellence expressed by many members. FRIDAY, MARCH 23rd. MORNING SESSION. Devotions (Mrs Lee-Cowie). Roll call, 99. Minutes. Greetings from Airs Gaskin, Nelson Union, Wanganui E., Wellington Cen-

tral, Auckland City Prohibition and Temperance League. Reports Considered. - Maori: Still no Organiser. Good work done through distribution of Maori leaflets. Short account given of progress made by Fanny Thompson, being trained at Turakina for mission work among her own people, now 16, an earnest follower of Jesus Christ. —Adopted. Evangelistic: Persistent effort should be made to lead others to Christ. Mothers’ Meetings, Home Meetings: Might be combined with patriotic meetings. Narcotics: Smoking habit increasing among women. Unfermented Wine: Adqpted. Resolutions: 1. That all Unions be urged to join in a prayer campaign against the common foe -Strong Drink. 2. That the time has arrived when, in order to check the spread of venereal diseases, all men and women should produce a clean certificate of health in this matter from a doctor before a marriage certificate can be issued. Considerable discussion. Amendment moved: That Government be urged to introduce a liill protecting doctors 111 replying truthfully to questions from an engaged person or from parent or guardian of same, as to health of fiance in the matter of venereal disease. Amendment lost. Original motion carried. Moved that*work of N.Z. Department Work Among Sailors and Seamen be divided, and a N.Z. Superintendent appointed for each Island. Considerable discussion. Motion lost.

AFTERNOON SESSION. Devotions (Mrs Walker). Roll call, 101. Minutes. Mrs Evans moved notice of motion re payment of Vice-President’s travelling expenses to Convention from N.Z. Treasury.—Lost. Resolutions.— j. That the Government be asked to take effective action to check the rapid increase in the cost of living, which is placing such a very heavy burden on those least able to bear it. We would point out —(1) That according to the Government Statistician’s latest computation, it now costs £\ 7s 2d to purchase food commodities which could be obtained for j£i in 1909-1913, and that as a consequence the old age pensioners have had the purchasing power of their pensions so reduced that the weekly allowance of 10s will now only purchase what could have been purchased for 7s 4d. (2) 1 hat other sections of the community are suffering great and unnecessary deprivations because of the ineffective means taken by the Government to cope with the cost of living problem. (3) That while some sections of the community are being thus penalised, other sections have been permitted to take advantage of their country s stress and suffering to pile up millions of war profits. (4) That as the principal and greatest increases have taken place on necessary commodities which are pro-

duced within the Dominion, it is within the power and province of the Government to prevent the exploitation of the dependents of the soldiers by the less patriotic sections of the community. Mrs Lee-Cow ie presented her report of the Patriotic I*und, showing sum total amounted to ,4.2333 11s. Rigid economy had been exercised, expenditure being only 4.8 odd. Minister for Internal Affairs warmly com plimented the women on result of their efforts. Mrs Chittenden was warmly thanked for her good work in collecting over 4i's- Mrs Cowie referred also to the excellent service of Mr McKcnney, who had taken charge of fund during her absence in New South Wales. Hearty vote of thanks passed to Mrs Cowie. After the afternoon tea adjournment, following remit fioni Christchurch Union was moved: —That as the Government has found ways and means to exempt ministers of religion from the operation of the Conscription Act, we strongly urge that it should consider the claims of those who have conscientious and religious objections to military service, and we suggest that Cabinet should instruct the Minister of Munitions to send certificates of exemption in these cases on the ground of “public interest,’’ as is done in the case of ministers whose churches have no doctrines opposed to war. Discussion showed that delegates felt strongly on both sides, and eventually, following the principle of avoiding, when fundamental principles are not involved, that which tends to produce cleavage in the ranks of the W.C.T.U., the motion was withdrawn. Reports.—Cradle Roll, L.T.L., and Rand of Merc v: This work most valuable, spreading rapidly, capitation fee of 3d a year suggested for L.T.L., and monthly magazine, “Young Crusader,” highly recommended. Scientific Temperance Instruction: Suggested request more articles on the subject in “School Journal, and again urge Minister for Education to make teaching of it compulsory. Work Among Seamen : Adopted. Hearty welcome given to Mrs Napier, well known Temperance worker in Dunedin in early days, recently returned from Scotland MARCH 24th. -SATURDAY MORNINC. Devotions (Mrs J. Wright). Roll call, 94. Minutes. Greetings from Ashburton and N.E. Valley. Reports.—Good Citizenship: Greater co-operation of Unions asked for. During past year little or no notice taken of appeals and suggestions made through “White Ribbon” or by c ircular as to election of School ( ‘>mmittees and Education Boards. Proportional Representation. Discussion as to various work included in Good Citizenship department. Purity and Moral Education: Similar failure to respond to suggestions and circular.

Sets of books on Sex Hygiene for lending. Prison aiid Reformatory Work. Sabbath Observance: Adopted. In reference to latter, statement made as to referendum to be taken in Ohakune re* keeping picture shows open on Sunday, and decision passed that Organiser should proceed to Ohakune to assi>t in working up public opinion against this secularisation of tile Sabbath. Unanimously carried: That this Convention views with uneasiness the growing desire of pcture proprietors to run their shows on Sunday. It protests emphatically, on physical, moral, and spiritual grounds, against this extension of Sunday labour and of the secularisation of the Day of Rest.

Referring to failure of C nions to respond to appeals from Dominion Superintendents, the President emphasised the point that every letter or leaflet received from the* National Office must be brought before the Union, and that if there 1 is no local Superintendent for the particular department concerned, it is the* duty of the Secretary to attend to the matter.

MARCH 26th.- MONDAY MORNINC. Devotions (Mrs Upton). Roll Call, 101. Minutes. Greetings from Matakana, Tuatapere, Mrs Barton of Sydney. “White Ribbon” Editor presented her report. 2215 subscribers, increase of 93; c redit balance of 4->o ejs ejd, satisfactory, considering increased cost of paper and postage. Thanks accorded to Mr Lynneberg, the Auditor. Balance-sheet showed receipts 4*308 4s 3d, expenditure, 4*297 14s 7c!; certain amounts due fo: advertisements, chiefly from Unions, .fnd a large amount, nearly 4-*4o, due for subscriptions. Price of printing and publishing would be raised from April Ist by 2s per 100, involving increased expenditure of 4--b per annum. Four ways suggested for meeting difficulty: increase subscriptions or reduce size of paper, or use inferior paper, or obtain more subscribers 450 more required. I nions urged to appoint “W . R.” agents, if not already done, and endeavour to gain more subscribers, especially among non-Union members, thus paving way for increased membership. Considerable discussion ensued. High tributes paid to splendid work of Editor. Disapproval expressed of Executive’s recommendation to use cheaper paper. Finally decided to defer use of cheaper paper for two months, members to try meantime to obtain more, subscribers, and also more advertisements. Report and balance-sheet adopted. Orders given for Convention number amounted to over 1100. Reports. Medical Temperance. Bible in Schools, Flower Mission and Relief Work, including Patriotic Work. Adopted after short discussion. The President reminded delegates that while Unions and members were quite at liberty to work fok organisations outside W.C.T.U., e.g.,

Dr. Barnardo’s Homes, no Union funds ou>» lit to be voted to any other than Union purposes. Welcome given to Mrs Millar, a well-known * Temperance worker of Dunedin. AFTERNOON. Devotions (Mrs R. Smith). Roll call, 101. Rev. J. Dawson, of N.Z. Alliance, addressed Convention, by invitation, making a strong appeal on behalf of the () o’clock closing’ petition circulated by the Alliance. He believed success was more hopeful than last year, and if a united front were shown, the demand would be conceded. A deputation from the Auckland No-License League, consisting of Rev. I*. Smalltield, Canon llaselden, and Mr W. Spragg, waited on Convention to offer greetings and good wishes, and ask co-operation in the attempt to obtain 6 o’clock closing. Mrs Atkinson, in the name of the Convention, briefly thanked the deputation. On resuming after afternoon tea, it was resolved to send a letter to R«v. Knowles Kemptoi, thanking him for the inspiring service and the helpful address delivered before Convention on Sunday evening. Hearty welcome extended to Mrs Baillie, a White Ribbon visitor from Western Australia. Mrs Peryman was unanimously reappointed Editor and Business .Manager of the “White Ribbon.” Usual votes were granted—£lo Editor’s honorarium, .£-5 for printing Convention number 'from the N.Z. Treasury), j£if for the Business Manager (from the “W.R.” funds). Resolved that steps be taken to obtain information preparatory to making arrangements for a visit from a woman speaker (preferably Mrs Armour) from Auieric a. Announced that Mayoress of Auckland invited members of Convention to attend mass meeting for women in Town Hall, and wished a representative to occupy a seat on the platform. Mrs Don was chosen to be representative. Resolutions to be* brought before the public meeting on Tuesday evening were carried unanimously. (1) Whereas women hive, during the present war, proved their capacity to till every position to which they have been appointed, and whereas the right to elect logically carries with it the right to be elected— Resolved: That this meeting earnestly urges the Government to take, without delay, steps to remove the obstacles in the* way of women entering Parliament; and aDo to clear the way to their serving as Mag strates, Justices of the Peace and jurors. (2) That this me *tiiig urge's the Government to yield, without further delay, to the widespread and f r»*«|n**nt pressed demand for the appointment of women police, in order that the young people in our community may share in the proved advantages of the protection so afforded in many parts

of the Empire and in other countries. Mrs Garraway proposed: That special Dominion fund should be created to provide a £ for £ subsidy towards delegates’ travelling expenses, in qrder that all Unions may be represented at Convention. After some discussion, motion was lost. Resolution. This Convention resolves that when it is decided that a certain effort should be* made, or laws should be amended, it should be an instruction to every Branch of the* W.C.T.U. to take steps to send some of its most influential memebrs tc interview the* member for the 1 electorate, and put to him the following questions:—Are you in favour of this measure becoming law? Will you vote for it? Will you support it in the House? Resolution. That where the* same or equal work is being done by men and women, in the opinion of this Convention there should be no d fferentiation of payment on account of the sex of the worker. Reports. Rest and Refreshment Booths, Educational Bureau, Nc table Days, Military Camps, Literature. Adopted. Resolved that the Purity Literature should again be placed in charge of the Purity Superintendent. Resolved that in future Conventions the English White Ribbon Hymnal should be used. Mrs Peryman, on behalf jf Mrs Bendely, asked for promises of contributions to the N.Z. Treasury. £-,o was promised. Greetings from Mrs Colvi’.le, President of Scottish W.C.T.U. MARCH 27th.—TUESDAY MORNING. Devotions (Mrs Rule). RoM Call, 99. Minutes. Greetings from Christchur* h and Hamilton East. Resolutions. (1) This Convention of the W.C.T.U. desires to affirm its belief in the great brotherhood of nations, and its unquenchable faith in the power of Love as the supreme factor in the creation of right international relationships. Believing in the irresistible power of thought, it would therefore urge upon all members that they should think, day by day, thoughts of love, unity, arid peace, checking every impulse .o bitterness or anger, therebv doing their part towards establishing that universal spirit of peace without which no enduring peace can be secured amongst the nations of the world. Carried unanimously. (2) That “as God so loved the world,” this Convention of Christian would urge upon ail those who have the control of the education of children to instil into the 1 minds the Thought and desire foi mutual love and helpfulness amongst all nations, ralher than for the domination and glory of their own; that love is a stronger power than any form of force, and that the good of any one nation can only be brought about by working for the good of all.

Much of present training of children has an opposite tendency, bui establishment of Bands of Merc y would have a good influence. (3) That at this time, when heroic efforts are being made by the* Allies to bring the war to a speedy and sat.sfactory conclusion, the* Government of New Zealand should be urg**d to take steps to husband the* resourc cs of the Nation, and as the* liquoi traffic is the most fruitful source of economic and industrial waste, and its existence therefore a national disgrace, the Government is urged to totally prohibit this traffic during the* period of tin* war, and for at least six months thereafter. Remit from Christe hurc h se< onding this. Mrs Cowie read preamble put forward by united temperance bodies of Southland, and suggested Printing and distributing widely manifesto just read; (2) calling on every Christian organisation for earnest, persistent prayer; (3) selecting most influential men and women to wait on Parliament and support the demand. W idespread public opinion favoured total prohibition as a war measure. At same time all could work for the 6 o’clock closing petition, which would tend to further the greater movement. Carried unanimously. (4) That this Convention heartily supports tlje action of the Anglican Synod at Napier in asking for—(a) A more regular and sympathetic supervision of the Maori Councils by the* Department responsible. (b) In the Maori prohibition area it should be an offence for a Maori to be in possession of liquor, as well as for the one who supplies him. (c) The Government should be asked to apply the machinery that is in their hands under the War Regulations Act to put an immediate ttop to the* abuses that exist. (5) That this Convention wishes to express its appreciation of the action of the Editor of the Auckland “Star” in publishing the paragraph, “Ravages of Venereal,” in the article, “Maoriland Soldiers: Life on Salisbury Plains” (Saturday, Maich 24); and urges that all publicity should be given to farts such as are here disclosed, as being a means for stirring up public opinion to demand effective action. Carried unanimously. (6) That the Crimes Ac t should be amended in the direction of raising the* age of consent to 21 years. This has been repeatedly urged, yet Government has done nothing. Meanwhile sexual offences and indecent assaults on children increased in number. Should insist on Government doing something, or explaining its inaction. Carried. AFTERNOON SESSION. Devotions (Mrs Sinclair). Roll call, too. Greetings from Mrs Box.til and Mrs Jones. Miss Powell stated Ohnkune referendum would be taken about middle of April, so she would proceed thither after close of Convention.

Mrs E vans moved notice ot motion providing for Superintendents’ travelling expenses to Convention being paid from N.Z. Treasury. Several delegates opposed. I reasurer stated approximate cost. Motion lost. The tour Maori members were invited on the platform, and Mrs liamana spoke words of appreciation, greeting, and thanks, interpreted by Mrs Nathan. The whole Convention responded with the greeting “Kia Ora.” Hon. G. Fowlds gave a practical demonstration of the method of voting at elections, known as Proportional Representation Ballot papers distributed, and filled in by delegates and visitors —159; only two informal. Two gentlemen friends of Mr Fowlds, who had previous experience, counted votes and made necessary calculations, showing these not so complicated as is usually thought. Mr Fowlds gave a short address, pointing out advantages of the system, and after the results had been declared, explaining method of distributing votes. Hearty vote of thanks passed to him for his address and demonstration. Resolutions Re-affirmed.- (7) That men convicted of sexual offences against children of tender years be imprisoned for life. (<S That men convicted of more than one offence against women or girls have more adequate punishment inflicted on them. (q) hi view of the fact that so many persons ot both sexes, who are beyond the age of reformatories, are convicted of moral offences, this Convention co-operate with other organisations in asking legislation for the purpose of providing institutions of the nature of a farm colony, where such people can be detained for an indeterminate time, these institutions to be under the control of an F'.lcctive Board composed of equal numbers of men and women. Resolutions Carried. —(10/ Recognising the evil influence which may be developed by pictures of a suggestive nature, the W.C.T.U. appeals to Government to appoint a member of the Union as a censor, to represent the mothers of New Zealand. (11) That the time has arrived when local authorities should be asked to prohibit objectionable posters from being shown in the streets of their towns. (12) That in view of the great interest aroused just now in the principle of a “clean life for two,” the article and illustration accompanying this be printed and circulated if funds allow*. The article in question, a poem by E. W. Wilcox, “How He Paid the Price,” read to Convention. Decided to obtain block for illustration at expense of N.Z. Treasury, and to print in “White Ribbon” and strike off copies. (13) That the leaflet, “Hints on Organising,” be reprinted and a copy posted to every District Union.

(j 4) That the Minister for Flduca tion be approai bed bv a deputation as soon as possible, and urged to make Scientific* Temperance a 1 ompulsory subject for examination in all primary and secondary schools. (15) That in view of the unnecessary indignity inflicted on women when being tried in our public courts for sexual offences, this Convention urges the Minister of Justice to diiect that in such cases all men shall be excluded from Courts, except those whose business makes it necessary for them to be present. (16) That the name of the Purity and Moral Education Department be changed to “Moral and Social Hvgiene.” Reports. —Back Blocks and Rail wavs, Home Sciences, Press, Legal and Parliamentary. Adopted. WEDNESDAY MORNINC. Devotions (Mrs Judson). Roll call, 96. Minutes. Resolved to send letter of thanks and congratulation to Miss Melville for excellent speech at Tuesday evening public meeting. Membership banners presented to President of Auckland Union and Secretary of Nelson Vs. Both made suitable replies. Interesting discussion on Work for Y’s, many delegates taking pait. Chief suggestions made: Name be changed to Young People’s Branch; Y. Unions be officered by girls themselves, and be given definite work, Cradle Roll and L.T.L. being specially suitable; Bible Classes, factories, etc., be visited for securing new members. Account given by Mrs Penn.an and Miss Macarthy of work just begun by them in Port Chalmers and South Dunedin, organising young people and getting them together in bright social evenings, preparatory to forming Y.P. Branches. Reports.—Y’s and Medal Contests, Anti-Gambling. Adopted. Reference made to raffling and other forms of gambling used in patriotic and church work, bag days, etc. Most regarded all such methods as not justifiable. MARCH 29th.— THURSDAY MORNING. Devotions (Mrs J. Wright and Mrs Don). Roll call, 94. Minutes. Resolutions. —(17) That with a view to securing the co-operation of scattered members of the W.C.T.U., suitable plans of work be published monthly in the “White Ribbon.” In answer to question, President stated that any member can receive as a member any one in the back blocks unable to reach a Union, provided she gets the pledge signed and subscription paid, and then sends name and address to nearest Union. (18) That Government be urged to take steps to protect parents, guardians, and doctors seeking or giving information re venereal diseases in

regard to a man or woman intending to marry. (19) That it he a recommendation to delegates to endeavour to establish a Band of Mercy in their own districts in L.T L.’s, day schools, or Sunday schools. Miss Powell moved: (20) Seeing that the instructions given to proxies are not always in order, at every Convention a scrutineer or scrutineers be appointed to examine the instructions by Unions tor their proxies. Motion lost. Attention drawn to Mrs Lee-Cowie’s patented invention, now ready for orders, 2s each. Highly approved by General Henderson and other military authorities.

Deputation (Mesdames Atkinson, Cooke and Peryman, and Miss Macarthy) to Minister for Education returned, and reported having received most sympathetic hearing, and satisfactory answers in reference to (1) Use of text book, “Alcohol and the Human Body,” (2) Wall Sheets to be brought up-to-date, and their use made compulsory, (3) Examination on Temperance Instruction compulsory for inspectors. Mrs Bendely, absent through indisposition, sent message of greeting and apology. Message of loving sympathy passed to her. V'otes passed: 7s fid to each Dominion Superintendent, and £i to International Temperance Bureau. Votes of thanks passed to Mr G. Plummer, Auditor; and to Mr FTeming Macdonald for designing, and Mrs Driver, of Dunedin, for painting new membership banner. Election of Officers. Mrs Peryman and Miss Dewar tellers Results: President: Mrs Don, Corresnonding Secretary: Miss Henderson, B.A. Recording Secretary: Mrs Evans, M.A. Treasurer: Mrs Bendely. All were re-elected practically unanimously, and responded suitably. Mrs Don nominated Mrs Crabb as Vice-President-at-Large. Mrs Atkinson was re-appointed Custodian of Records and representative of W.C.T.U. on N.Z. Alliance. Mrs Peryman nominated Mrs FI vans as Associate-Editor. Hearty vote of thanks passed to the donor of the new membership banner, who wished her name to be withheld. Owing to strong feeling of delegates against decreasing number of Superintendents of Departments, sub-com-mittee for dealing with the matter asked and received permission to withdraw report. Resolved that Departments of Flome Meetings and Mothers’ Meetings be combined: that Sabbath Observance and Bible-in-Schools be combined; and that Unfermented Wine be dropped. Nominations had been received for Superintendents of Departments from delegates, and Executive had felt it desirable, for the purpose of prevent-

;ng the departmental work fr«>m get ting into .1 rut, th.it thaiiges should be made from time ti» time. The recommendations of Executive for Super intendents of Departments were received and adopted. (List of Superintendents on p. 14.) Question Box. Various questions dealing with matters of more or less interest answered. AFTERNOON SESSION. Devotions (Mrs Cooke). Roll call, 81. Minutes. Executive recommended that Mrs Lee-Covie's offer to organise the effort for National Prohibition be accepted. Carried unanimously with enthusiasm. Resolutions Carried, -(21) That this Convention of the W.C T.l'. emphatically protests against the dangerous element of gambling introduced into patriotic work, as being harmful to the morals of the people of the Dominion, and respectfully ashs the Government to collect all necessary monies by taxation and subscriptions. (22) Wnereas there has ’:CVer been a time when economy and reproductive industry were so emphatically a patriotic duty, and whereas the time and money spent in racing and ganib. are admittedly almost entirely wasted, and whereas the betting in last Christmas and New Year holidays alone shows the great increase or £07,871 over last year's receipts, therefore in s Convention of the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance l nion earnestly urges the Cabinet to refuse all racing and totalisator permits during the period of the war. (231 1 hat in view of the widespread demand for 0 o'clock closing, as shown by the petition of 100,000 voters presented last session, and the more wide-spread indignation expressed at the failure of Parliament ir this tune of unexampled need for economy and cttic ieni y, to make any adequate attempt at the restric t on of the Liquor Traffic, we hereby pledge ourselves to co-operate, as far as |>ossible, with the* N.Z. Alliance in their petition for t o'clock closing, or for a referendum on the hours of sale. Re proposal to send a letter to the Home Government remonstrating against rum rattans supplied to New Zealand soldiers, it was resolved to leave matter in hands of Executive. Invitations for 1 18 Convention received from Greymouth, Invercargill, Timaru, and Palmerston North. Timaru’s invitation accepted. President, while thanking Auckland Cnions for their splendid entertainment, suggested that it would be well in future to make the entertainment simple, and to curtail it considerably, as business was too much interfered with. Suggestions were made for Plans of Work for ensuing year: Make more use of Home Meetings, hold “American l eas,” get more honorary members, work Cradle RoH and L I L *9 vigorously, establish Y.P. Branches. Mrs Cowie, on behalf of Convention, made a small presentation to Mrs

Dearlove, in recognition of quiet, steady, faithful service during past years. Mrs Dearlove briefly responded. Notices of Motion. —(l) By Miss Powell: That at the next Convention, I, or someone in my place, will move that to avoid confusion with District Presidents who are also Vice-Presi-dents of the Dominion Union, tne title of the first Vice-President be altered to Vice-President-in-Chief. (a) By Mrs Crabb: That .m> Union, finding itself unable to send one of its own members as delegate to Convention, shall have the power to rhoose as its delegate any member of the W.C.T.U. in its own district. Such delegates shall be instructed by the aforesaid Union as to voting for Dominion officers and on any amendment to the Constitution. Votes of thanks passed as follows; To Mr James, photographer, for the photograph of the Maori delegates, and six copies of same presented to the Organising Fund. To the Civic League, for invitation to afternoon tea. Ap official letter to be sent, with thanks and regrets that press of business prevented Convention from accepting invitation. To Mr Tibbs, headmaster of Grammar School, for invitation to visit Grammar School. Declined with much regret, owing to press of business. Official letter to be sent. To Auckland District Union and Auxiliaries. To the church bodies who provided afternoon tea. To the No-License League for harbour excursion. To Trustees of Baptist Tabernacle for use of building. To the caretaker of same. To the Ladv Editor of “Star." To Mr Goto ie and his housekeejn'r lor hospitality at the Lake. To the gentleman who presented copies of the “Free Press.” To Hon. George Fowlds for his instructive address. To the Convention Letter Writer. To the Committee of Courtesies (the Misses Dewar) and to Mrs Hildreth and Miss Weymouth for attention to papers and letters. To the hosts and hostesses. A few words of greeting or farewell or appreciation from Rev. K. Kempton, Mrs Dewar, Mr> Miller, and Mrs BaiUie, the visitor from Australia. Convention closed by singing “God Be With You” and the Benediction pronounced by the President.