NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1902, Page 6

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NAPIER, Sunday

The National Council of the Women of New Zealand at their meeting yesterday discussed many points connected with State education. The sub-committee on education, set up at the annual meeting of the council last year, have during the year submitted a series of questions to educationalists and others interested in the matter, and received a large number of replies. The following motions will be submitted to the council's consideration on the subject: —(1) "That the kindergarten system be introduced throughout the infant schools of the colony;" (2) "that our pupil teachers should be pupil teachers in reality, acting only under supervision, and having milch more free time for study;" (3) ."that the Education Act be so amended as to make the sixth standard pass compulsory, and that special provision be made for the abnormally dull or deficient children to be educated separately;" (4) "that the staffs of our industrial . schools should consist of men and women of high culture;" (5) that in the opinion of this council a systematic course of moral instruction should be introduced into our board schools, and that each delegate be invited to request her society to discuss the question as fully as possible before the next annual* meeting." (This is not synonymous with Bible teaching in schools.) Mrs H. Hill, Napier, read a paper on "Men's Bights and Women's Claims." and Mrs Sisvwright, Gisborne, contributed a paper on "Women's Disabilities."

The following resolutions were passed: — (1) "That in the opinion of this council the time has come when nil disabilities which at present hinder women from sitting as members of either of the Houses of Legislature or from being elected or appointed to any public office or position in thf» colony should be removed, and that with regard to all powers, rights and duties of citizens absolute emiaßtv should be the law of the l>.nd;" (2) "that the legal recognition .-' the economic independence of married women is desirable f->r 'ho j.l taiiT-Ucut of justice, and for the .ttrH.erM.fie3 of a truer marriage relationship."