NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 281, 27 November 1929, Page 11

NATIONAL COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the National Council of Women was held in the Y.W.C.A. rooms on Monday, when Miss Carnachan presided. Before business commenced Miss Carnachan welcomed the two speakers of the evening, Dr. Doris Gordon, of Stratford, and Lady Gunson. Among the correspondence received was a letter asking for the support of the National Council of Women in obtaining an amendment to the existing Marriage Act and the following resolution was pa66ed: "That the National Council of Women in New Zealand urge upon the Government the desirability of amending the law (or regulations) so that ordained women ministers of religion shall have exactly the same status as men, including "tlie riglii to perform the marriage ceremony."

A letter was received from Mrs. Campbell re the proposed farewell function to be tendered by the combined women's organisations of Auckland to Lady Alice Fergusson. The function will take place on January 3, and it was decided to present her Excellency with a email gift. A report on the matter of women police was given by Mrs. Wood, and cases were cited which showed the importance of the institution of euch offices. A letter was received from the Minister of Justice enclosing an extract from the police regulations setting out the duties performed by police matrons upon which the duties of women patrols were being founded. The following resolution was passed: "That the National Council of Women cannot accept the proposed appointmentjOf women patrols as in any way satisfying the demands for women police, for the reason that patrols will not have the full statutory powers of constables, which the National Council of Women considers essential co the proper performance of their duties." A report on the. campaign for signatures in connection with the Elsie Walker case was given and the president congratulated those who had assisted on their efforts. It was decided Jiot to let the matter drop until Parliament introduced a bill authoriting the reopening of the case. A talk on the Pan-Pacific Conference was given by Miss Melville, who stressed the importance of having the beet women representatives sent. A discussion on the means available for sending delegates to the coming conference followed. A resolution carried by the Auckland Council of the New Zealand Alliance against the granting of a license for the Chateau Tongariro, was endorsed.