WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 271, 18 January 1918, Page 6

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

CAPE PROVINCE. SOI TH AFRICA. The twenty-eighth annual Convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union of the Province of the Cape of Good Hope was held at Port Elizabeth during the first week in October. The officers and members of the Executive Committee met on the second for an all day session, when various important resolutions to be adopted later were considered, and various plans formulated for the future advancement of the work. On Wednesday, October 3rd, the business sessions were formally opened by the President, Miss Solomon, the devotional service of prayer and praise being conducted by Mrs McEwan. Provincial Superintendent of Evangelistic Department. The Declaration of Principles and the Pledge having been read in unison by the delegates, led by the President, quite a heap of congratulatory messages were read by the Corresponding Secretary, among them being one from Miss Agnes Slack, Secretaiv World’s W.C.T.U. The rresident (Miss Solomon) then delivered her annual address, in the course of which she reviewed the position of the Temperance movement in various parts of the world. There was never greater need for the work of the organisation. “Although they were thankful to God for what had been accomplished during the 28 years, we cannot close our eyes to the lack of public sympathy and to active opposition we still have to face. In spite of the authoritative voice with which science speaks to-day, in spite of the direct bearing which alcoholism has been shown to have on the great questions of disease, poverty, and crime, we in this country have to face a Parliament either actively antagonistic at best, with a few notable exceptions, indifferent, and we have to acknowledge that a large number of our public men were more or less under the influence of the ‘trade.’ ” Continuing, Miss Solomon said the greatest encouragement came from Canada, where practically the whole Dominion was dry. In Australia and New Zealand, too, the fight was being carried on vigorously. In America the dream of National Prohibition in

1920 bade fair to be realised at an early date. In Great Britain the fight was between prohibition and purchase. “We are organised to fight the liquor traffic until it is utterly routed, and it is only when every member is alive to the responsibilities that we shall make real headway.” In closing this impressive address. Miss Solomon feelingly referred to the many members who had been called to part with loved ones, those who had given up their best beloved, and whose homes were now desolate. The Corresponding Secretary (Mrs Watts) reported that several new branches had been organised, and there was a substantial increase in the membership. The total aggregated income of the various branches had reached nearly .£I7OO, nearly all of which had been expended on the furtherance of the cause of temperance in the Province. During the Convention the reports of the Superintendents of Departments were submitted, all of which showed that marked progress had been made in many and varied directions. Several very important and able papers bearing on the different aspects of the work were given by members and friends. On Tuesday evening a public meeting was held, and interesting addresses w» re given by Mrs Solly (Superintendent Franchise Department) on “Women and Municipal Councils,” and by Mrs Andrew Graham (Wvnberg) on “Fathercraft.” Wednesday evening was devoted to the Y’s, when a meeting was held, presided over by Mrs Duncan Brown, the energetic Secretary for the Province, the speakers being Miss Solomon (President), Mrs D. Brown, Mrs Wright, and Mrs Bagshaw (Port Elizabeth), Mrs Campbell (Graham's Town). Thursday evening witnessed “The Congress of Nations,” demonstrating the latest prohibition movements throughout the world, and was most fascinating, as well as instructive, and reflected great credit on all who had taken part in it. Friday evening the delegates were entertained to a reception given in the Town Hall, Uitenhage, and welcomed by the Mayor and Mrs Sutherland. The closing services were held on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. On Saturday an impressive prayer meeting was held, conducted by Mrs McEwen (Evengelistic Super-

intendent). Short devotional addresses were given by Mrs Andrew Graham and Mrs Gibson (Queenstown). The prayers offered by members were full of praise and thankfulness to God for the success attending the Convention, and for the blessings of the past year. The final service was held in the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon, presided over by Miss Solomon (President). Mrs Gray, of Graham’s Town, spoke on “Service and Courage,” and Mrs llartnoll (Vice-Presi-dent) spoke on “The Vision of St. Paul and nis call to Macedonia.” Several important resolutions were adopted, among them being one calling on Government for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act, and also declaring belief that general prohibition during the war and for six months afterwards is urgently called for. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— President, Miss Solomon (Capetown); Vice-Pre-sidents, Mrs Mackenzie (Kimberley), Mrs llartnoll (Capetown), Mrs Sutherland (Uitenhage); Corresponding Secretary, Mrs Watts (Capetown); Recording Secretary, Miss Stapleton (Capetown); Treasurer, Mrs Geard (Port Elizabeth); V. Secretary, Mrs Campbell (Graham's Town). FRANCES C. STAPLETON.