WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2454, 19 March 1909, Page 4

WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

ANNUiL CONFERENCE. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 18. At the Women’s Christian Temperance Union Convention to-day, the report was presented, showing that the present membership was 18-55. Gratification was expressed at the splendid advance made in the local option poll vote, for no-license in the Dominion has been steadily grcwjng. aiid the last poll gave the magnificent majority of 33,331 votes over opponents. "We hope and believe,” says the report, “that members of the W.C.T.U. will give all possible help to the agitation for the removal of the three-fifths disability from the temperance section of the comniunity.” In the opinion of the Union, it is much to be regretted that any nolicense voter does not feel bound to vote reduction as well as no-license. In the country districts reduction would mean prohibition over a large area; consequently the temptations to drink would be less numerous, and the result lessened drunkenness. Now that the nolicense party is gaining in members and influence, it is time to claim from- Parliament the right of Dominion option by a bare majority. The Union condemns the establishment of canteens at' military camps- and in some of the orderly rooms, and it also makes a protest •against drinking on trains, and the placarding of liquor advertisements at railway stations. Referring to Cabinet reconstruction, the report says that "to say that the new appointments are satisfactory to the progressives or to the party of reform would be far from the truth; in fact, Sir Joseph Ward .seems to have gone out of‘his way to .show contempt for those who stand for the defence of all that is best in the national life.” ! . At the afternoon session of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the corresponding secretary’s report showed a considerable increase in the membership, which now. stands at about 1800, including natives. Nine new unions were organised. Part of this increase is due to the work done among the [Maoris. Several new -Maori unions have been formed. The Victoria Home for Friendless Girls (Invercargill) is doing useful work. Efforts are being made to°start a maternity home in connection with this work. “ Napier still leads in its paid-up membership. Dunedin has made the largest proportional advance. The Band of Hope work is taken up by many unions, Otautau leading with a membership of 160, with Bluff a good second. The cradle roll report shows a large increase. _ New branches have been formed at Napier, Otaliuliu. Hastings, and Onehunga. The Newtown Girls Association carries on useful work. A dressmaking class is held. At the Denver, United States, Convention, at Miss Gordon’s request, a boy representing New Zealand was dressed in a suit from the Kaiapoi factory. ; . . Miss Read read the report of work among the Maoris, special mention being made of the mission at W hanaparaT which has done excellent evangelistic and temperance work. The Auckland Union has kept the work going in several Native villages. A committee was set up to arrange' for the consolidation of the work among the Maoris.