NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 173, 24 July 1928, Page 10

NATIONAL COUNCIL.

The main feature of the meeting of the Auckland branch of the Xational Council of Women last evening was a i esolution passed congratulating the Government upon the Mental Defectives Amendment Bill, with the hope expressed that it would go through Parliament substantially unaltered. Miss Camachan. president, presided. Dr. Hilda Xorthcroft, commenting on the personnel of the Board of Control, said >he considered it a very fair one, but was sorry that there were not one or two more women on it. She recognised, however, that there were few women in New Zealand qualified for such work. Two arguments in favour of the bill were that the stigma of the Court would he removed, and that the patients' rights would be guarded. By the bill, people with social defections would be registered. People of this class were not really mentally defective, but they had a "kink," such as kleptomania, etc. Dr. Xorthcroft regarded the bill as a most sane, courageous piece of legislation, and hoped that the women would see that it went through untampered with.

Opinions on the retardate child were given by Miss Newton, and Sister Hannah. Mrs. Alfred Kidd, Miss Joan Begg and Miss Jackson also spoke in favour of the bill.

As regards the matter of women police, letters were received from the Prime Minister and members of the House. Of the fourteen answers, six were in favour and eight said they would give the matter their consideration.

A report of the open air schools was given by Mrs. Jellie. It was stated that Avondale South had been granted an

open air school

A short talk on sports grounds for girls was given by Miss Dawson, who asked the assistance and aid of cverv body of women. The girls had no sports grounds, and on any Saturday afternoon hundreds of girls could be seen waiting for an opportunity to get a game.

A remit was brought forward as follows: "That this brnn'/i of the National Council of Women desires to express its keen interest in the discussion which recently took place at the meeting of tho Council of Christian Congregations regarding the state of social morality in New Zealand. The National Council of Women is in entire sympathy with the views expressed by Archbishop Averill and other speakers, and will be glad to co-operate with the Council of Christian Congregations in any action taken to arouse public opinion on this most vital question." Mis? Melville spoke at length on the subject.

Letter? were also received from mem hers of the House with regard to trawl ing in the Hauraki Gulf.

Arrangements for the entertainment of the Fan-Pacific delegation on July 30 were discussed.

Two remits were brought forward by the Civic League asking: (1) "That the Minister for Native Lands inquire into the destruction of the tui, especially in the Taurmarunui district, and (2) that they would like all societies to inquire into ways and means of collecting waste food from hotels, and especially incoming vessels, for the unemployed." A donation of £1 18/(1 towards the funds for the furnishing of the new room for the National Council was handed in by the Women's Progressive League, Northcote.