EDITORIAL “WELLINGTON, 1948”

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 3, 1 April 1948, Page 1

EDITORIAL “WELLINGTON, 1948”

The annual “trek” from all parts of the Dominion this year led to the Capital City. Friend greeted friend, new delegates were helped to find their feet in a new place and among strange faces; and Wellington itself seemed to welcome the Convention with open amis. How beautiful the sunshine and glorious blue sky were, almost every minute of the time! Such days of calm, warm, brilliant weather lieljied to make an atmosphere of happiness and well-being; and this was supported and intensified by the splendid hospitality and generous kindliness of our Hostess District Union. Every care was taken to Secure smooth running of the Convention machinery; and very real gratitude must be expressed on behalf of the many who came from afar only to find themselves readily at home, among friends and comrades. And a feast of good things awaited u> all. The addresses, discussions, suggestions, and the Devotional periods particularly, built up a store of wealth for future use in many a Union. It is good to think of the numbers who will carry hack something of the inspiration they experienced; and of the impetus their reports will give to their Unions. There is another side to it all, of course. One thinks of the return home; and how the family will greet the mother, sister, or wife Happy reunions, and renewed pleasure in home life after a little while of doing something different ’com the usual, are natural sequences. It is |>ossible that this readjustment to everyday living may tend to dim the brightness of Convention days. It is not easy to retain the full sense of the last when the present is so rich in its claims on the best in us. Yet. we ho|<e that delegates will write down, if possible, the story they mean to tell, before its joints of interest lose their significance. Unions need to glimpse the Rreat amount of work done; to gain some idea of the scope of our YV.C.T.U. activities; and to feel the warmth and friendliness so evident in all the Questioning, conferring, and discussing, and also in the social intercourse between hours of serious business. It is no small |ask to carry all this to a Union meet,n? in such a way that tbe members may he able to receive something like a

correct impression, but we urge that the effort should be made. The reading of Minutes in the Handbook will not have the same effect as the |>ersonal experiences* given by the delegates in their own way to their own 'Unions. So, we make our fresh start with our work. As ever, the enemy flourishes his banners and lieats his drums; but we go forth to meet him, in the strength of the Lord of Hosts.