MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 89, 16 April 1896, Page 3

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

The convention of delegates from the Women's Christian Temperance Union o* New Zealand, decided to invite Mrs Hoff* man, of Chicago, to visit the colony not later than the end of July. The question of the introduction into the schools of the Irish Scripture Text Book was relegated to the Unions. Be the CD. Act, the members of the Legislative Council are urged to make themselves acquainted -vibh the most recenb information, and to unite with the House of Representatives in removing the infamous Act from the Statute Book, and ib was resolved that bho Premier be thanked for his action in this matter. A Committee of three was appointed to draw up a letter to the Minister of Education, protesting against the introduction of the New Zealand School Reader into the schools. Ib was decided bo moeb nexb year in Christchurch. The following officers wero elected :—President, Mrs Schnackenburg (Auckland) ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Powell (Palmerston North); Recording Secretary, Miss Kirk (Wellington) ; Treasurer, Mrs Ballanbyne (Riccarton). The heads of the various departments were appointed.

The National Council of the Women of New Zealand assembled ab Wnnganui on Tuesday Miss Sherriff Bain moved, "Thab the Council ia of opinion thab sweating in varioua forms does exist in this country, and considers that a Masters and Apprentices Bill should bo passed ; also an Eight Hours Bill, and that a minimum wago should bo established by law." She road a paper in which sho gave instances of sweating in Christchurch. Mrs Tasker seconded bho mobion, which was carried after a lengthy discussion, three of the delegates not voting, and all the others voting for it. Mrs T. E. Taylor read a paper on "Marriage and Divorce." Mrs Alley moved, "That this Council is of opinion that the marriage laws of New Zealand should be rendered remedial, nob merely palliative, of the disabilities ab presenb grievously affecting married women, and thut to this end the old exploded doctrine of possession, or coverture, should ba repealed." The motion was seconded by Mrs Widdowson, and carried. Mra Sheppard moved, "That in all cases where a woman elects to superintend her own household, and to be tho mother of children, there shall bo a law attaching a certain jusb sharo of her husband's earnin„r, or income, for her separate usee, payable, if sho bo desires it, into her separate account." Mra Sievwrighb seconded the motion, which was carried after considerable discussion. Mrs Schnackenbcrg moved, " That in the opinion of this Council no cuardian may bo appointed by either parent to act after death with tho surviving parent unless the Courb is satisfied thab tho survivor is incapable of acting alone." Mra Jzebb soconded the motion, which wa9 carried, one delegate dissenting. Mrs Ishwood moved, " Tha*: in the opinion of tho Council the conditions for divorce lor men and women should bo uiude equal." Mis Sheppard seconded tho motion, which was carried unanimously.

Ab the Trades Conference held at Invercargill it was resolved, " Thab bhe Governmenb imm-diately ascertain the most Fuitablo method of placing kauri gum on the New Zealand, English, and American markets ; thai; gun-diggers bo licensed, and a license only* issued to British subjects." After considerable discuso-ion i' was resolved by seven to si*., "That at! tailoring work be done on bhe premi--f of.workshop or factory." A motion urgii g the Gorerrimorib to introduce legislation iugarding old a^e pensions was carried. It was resolved thab the Minister of Labour bt asked to amend tho Factories Act, so au to bring the hours of leraaiea and boys to the footing of clause 5 of tho 1881 Act, also thab part clause 5, giving exemption for five half holidays, bo struck out. The Conference did nob udvi-o the federation of trades councils of the colony. On the question of selecting Labour sand ids. tea, Mr Hutchison moved thab the worda L.bour members for each cenbre be struck out, holding that bho selection was a matter for different councils at election time. Mr Collins moved that it i_ desirable that ono political platform be accepted by all labour organisations, aud that they should pledge themselvas only to vote for candidates who subscribed to the fame, and that a bona fide worker be chosen by oach trade council. Carried by 10 to 3. and the words " each of the trades council-* " altered bo "Labour party in each centre." The founding of a Government tailoring workshop was affirmed unanimously. Motions were passedaskingthe Seamen's Union to affiliate, that the Juries Act be amondod making provision for minimum payment) of eight shillings a day with travelling expenses, and thab Law of Traders and Contracts Bill bo pushed on by tho Governmenb bb rapidly a3 possible. Ib was also resolved to urge upon the Govornment the desirableness of introducing an Eight Hours' Bill ab tho earliest opportunity. Aa the Conference had nob the copy of the Bill, the item "Technical Education" was struck out. It was resolved that the next Conference be held nb Dunedin, and that tho Executive be in Wellington. A resolution was passed expressing entire confidence in tho present Government.

As the details have not been arranged, the contract lor the steam service between Now Zealand and Tahiti, Rarotonga, and other porta has not yet been 3igned. In all probability, however, there will be a monthly service. With tbo object of inducing producers to ship to this colony instead of to New South Wales, where efforts aro being made to capture the Island trade, subsidy is about to be given to the Union Company to run a Becond steamer. A subsidy is already paid by the Postal Department to Messrs Donald and Edenborough, of Auckland, whose steamer Richmond has been running to Tahiti and Rarotonea for several years. Ministers contend that bhere is trade enough for another vessel, and hence the proposed arrangement with the Union Company.

The sawmill s.t Lake Roboiti owned by Mr W.- Kelly, M.H.R., was destroyed by fire on March 31sb. The building was valued at £SOO.