PROTECTION OF WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 240, 10 October 1934, Page 12

PROTECTION OF WOMEN.

CASES OF HARDSHIP.

The Rev. Father Colgan presided over the executive meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, held yesterday. The reports of the secretary and of the inspector accounted for a considerable amount of work. The chairman drew attention to the interesting and varied nature of the cases, ami the executive expressed its commendation of the way the cases had been handled. Amongst the cases quoted was one of a woman who arrived late in the evening with five children, nowhere to go and very little money, unable to bear the conditions of her home-life any longer. Another that of an old woman unable to obtain maintenance or pension, an epileptic woman, a verj' young wifo struggling to maintain herself and four children, broken-hearted and ready to give up the fight; carnal knowledge cases, affiliation cases, callousness and cruelty aggravated by economic conditions; reported cases of cruelty and neglect to children; such comprised the month's work. Office interviews numbered 305, inspector's visits to homes, institutions, etc., 100; maintenance money received and paid to clients, f 150. The thanks of the society were conveyed to Mrs. F. J. Hutchinson for the honorary work done by her in obtaining subscriptions and donations. Good wishes were extended to Miss Watkin, now on her way to India to take lip an appointment there. Miss Watkin was for a long period an ardent and helpful member of the executive. A resolution was passed affirming the society's strictly non-party constitution, and asking the National Council of Women, to [ which body the society sends three delegates, to refrain from affiliation with any committee organised to appoint and support candidates in local or general elections. The board drew attention to the fact that the society as a benevolent organisation derives support from persons of all shades of political opinion, and it was therefore deemed unwise to depart from a strictly neutral attitude. Thanks were expressed to the Prosperity Trust Committee for a donation of £50, to.the members of the ladies' committee for help derived from bridge parties, and to the Automatic Telephone Exchange.