NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1922, Page 11

NATIONAL COUNCIL.

The first montMy meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women took place in the rooms of the Business Girls' Club on Monday evening. There was a fair attendance of members in spite of the very inclement weather. The president, 'Miss Melville, occupied the chair. Apologies were reoeived from Mre. Carr-Rollett, Sister Hannah, Miss Fleming, Mrs. fias\ and Dr. Nortbxroft. Letters were received from MUs Rose Scott, of New South Walee, enclosing information on the Motherhood Endowment Bill and stating that the women's societies had sent £1000 to the relief of the starving children in Russia. Letters were received from Miss Bagnall stating that Lady Luke had been appointed a member of the Board of Health; from Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., re the petition recently presented to the House of Representatives asking for alteration in the Crimea Act, stating he would support anything for the betterment of young people. He also drew attention to the low marriage age in New Zealand, 12 years for girls and 14 for boys, which compared very unfavourably with even Russia; from the Takapuna Progressive League stating that a resolution had been passed that the council be urged to consider. the increase of sexual offences against little girls and that more drastic measures lie meted out to the criminals. Miss 'Henderson, general secretary, wrote that a weli-known public worker had been appointed to the Board of Appeal in place of Mrs. Arthur Aitkinson, recently deceased. A letter was received from the Society for Protection of Women and Children stating that it was considered that the care and administration of those dependent on the State should be in the hands of a State Children's Council, composed equally of men and women, on the lines of West Australia. South Australia and New South Wales. This subject was deferred for further consideration by the affiliated societies. A resolution was (brought forward that the expenses of delegates to the general conference be pooled and that each society should pay its own share; the general secretary to be asked to bring this before all the branches. Mise Melville explained that the Maintenance Act had been partly corrected so that magistrates could appoint a person to collect maintenance dues, but it was felt that if an officer of the Court was appointed under the Act it would go a great way to relieve the Charitable Boards of much expenditure.

A circular from the International Council of Women was received of a very interesting nature giving the basis of a draft for a "Children's Charter" and asking for information as to what was being done in New Zealand for the benefit of women and children. The circular wae very detailed in its requests, and asked about the pre-natal care of children, under which were such subjects ac maternity benefits for all working women and all needy mothers, free hospital and nursing care during birth period, compulsory instruction of the care of infants for all girls in schools and continuation schools, and many other points of vital importance to the State. Dr. Hilda Northcroft was authorised to reply. On the education of children the information asked for was also very detailed. Such subjects as the care and after care of children commited to institutione. education of children in the laws of health, what schemes for parents and teachers' conferences and joint committees so that co-operation may be obtained between the home and the school ■were in operation. Mrs. Nellie Ferner was appointed to tolled the information. The subject of the employment of children and the control of delinquent children was also inquired into. It was asked if there were juvenile courte presided over by judges specially appointed from a parental standpoint with the object of preventing the defective and abnormal child from drifting into crime. Xo children to be sentenced to imprisonment and other subjects were stressed. The matter was left in the hands of Miss Jaeksett to deal with. The following honorary members were elected: Mesdamee Howard, Tewsley, May, M. Sturt and Miss Brenda Hampton.