NELSON PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 280, 18 October 1918, Page 5

NELSON PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER Ist, 1918

The first Nelson Provincial Convention. was held on October ist. Fourteen delegates attended, Nelson District, Richmond, Wakapuaka, and Motueka Unions being represented; delegates were also expected from Wakefield, Blenheim, and Picton, but were unable to attend. The Convention was presided ovei by Mrs Field, who in her address touched upon the principal lines of work taken up during the year. Devotions were conducted by Mrs Field. The report of the Recording Secretary showed the two chief points to bo the formation of a branch of the Union at Motueka during Mrs Penman's visit to Nelson, and the inauguration of special picture perform ances for children once a month, through the kind co-operation of the Nelson picture manager, Mr Surrell. Reports of the Branch Unions were read, all of which showed good work done in connection with the Prohibition Campaign. Richmond reported a flourishing branch of the L.T.L., with nearly 100 members, and Nelson one with 80; both are holding regular meetings, and doing good work amongst the children. In considering work for the enduing year, it was resolved: ‘'That Unions endeavour to extend their work amongst the young, and th it Bands of Mercy should be formed in connection w r ith the L.T L.” It was further resolved: “That' each Branch

Union should endeavour to support the present movement for educational reform by the methods which seem to it most feasible and most conducive to permanent improvement.” Short reports were also given by Mrs Field (Superintendent of Social Hygiene and Literature)) and Mrs Moves (Spuenntendent foi Backblocks and L.T.L.), of the work of these departments. At the afternoon session the Constitution of the Provincial Convention was discussed and the one framed last year for the District Convention was adopted, with a few slight necessary alterations. The afternoon devotions were conducted by Mrs Knapp, Mrs Field also taking part; in the prayers grateful reference was made to the Allies' success in Bulgaria, and the desire i\xpressed that Bulgaria's surrender might be a .gcp towards the restoration of peace miongst all nations. The following officers were elected: Pres., Mrs Field; Cor. Sec., Mrs Wilkinson; Recording Sec., Mrs Judson ; Treas., Mrs White. Amongst the resolutions passed were the following: “At this time of universal sorrow, the Nelson Provincial Convention desirc* to tender its deepest sympathy to all those who during the past year have been called to pass through the fire of suffering, whether by bereavement, sickness, or in any other way.” “The Nelson Provincial Convention of the W.C.T.U. is pleased to be able to congratulate the Hon. the Minister bp Public Health on his decision to at oace appoint women pa*r< is, and trusts that, though appoin ed under the Department for Fublu Health, it may not be found necessary to regard the work of women patrols as dealing only with the health of the community, but that their duties may be so arranged that they may find scope for preventive work, such as the protection of young people. This Convention recognises that the Hon. Minister’s decision is a step in the right direction, and is pleased to assure him of its support. Recognising also that it is very important that the right class of v omen should he appointed, this Convention would respectfully suggest that he migh f get valuable assistance from the different women’s societies, and especially from the Salvation Army, who have had long experience in a somewhat similar class of work.”

“The Nelson Provincial Convention of the W C.T.U. seeing to what a large extent women are undertaking woik hitherto exclusivelv performed by men, considers that the ynvc lias now come for aK public offices and employments to be thrown open to women equally with men and would specially emphasises the need for Aomen in Parliament, in order that reforms affecting women and <hild ren, which have been again and again refused, may receive greater consideration. The Convention therefore appeals to the Cabinet and to the members of Parliament to make su» h alteration in the law as will give electorates the right to elect a woman representative to Parliament.” “This Convention condemns, as lowering to the moral standard, and as an unwarrantable insult to the great majority of men, the practice <>f regularly supply ing prophylaciics to soldiers on Dave, and urges that all measures for stemming the progress of venereal disease should be based on the belief in the nobler side of human nature, and that all necessary instructions to the men should be accompanied by an appeal to the sense of duty, patriotism, and chivalry which exists even in the weakest.” (This resolution was passed at the British Dominions Woman Suffrage Union Conference last June, being proposed by Miss Ruth Atkinson, and seconded bv Mrs \\ aldevrave, also a New Zealand woman.) The resolution already passed b\ the Unions vith reference to the inequality of the treatment of men and women in cases o f social immorality was also re-affirmed. A well-attended public meeting warhold in the evening, at which an address upon Educational Reform was given by Mr F. G. Gibbs, M A., headmaster of the Boys’ Central School, as representative of the Nelson Teachers’ Institute. Mr Gibb outlined the of the Institute for betterment of cur educational methods, and showed some of the difficulties in earning them out, and also emphasised the need of co-operation between teachers and parents. Mr Gibbs was heartily thanked for his most interesting address.