NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 152, 29 June 1937, Page 13

NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Motherhood Endowment To he Discussed.

At a general meeting of the National Council of Women last night discussions were held on various new social reforms, and several recommendations dealing with these matters made by the executive of the council, were brought forward. In one of the main recommendations it was stated that the Dominion Council be urged to make motherhood endowment one of the chief subjects of discussion for the forthcoming Dominion conference and that in the event of the conference thinking it desirable, a plan for some form of motherhood endowment be circulated among , the branches for their consideration. It was also suggested that each branch be asked to forward its decision regarding such plan to the Dominion president within six months from the date of the conference so that the matter could be submitted to the Government for its consideration. As this subject required more discussion it was decided to hold a special meeting in August for the further consideration of the recommendation. Other recommendations discussed at the council meeting last night dealt with the setting up of a joint standing committee, the question of reciprocity of pensions within the Empire, and the housing problem. With regard to the joint standing committee it was stated in the recommendation that the National Council of Women should take steps to set up a joint standing committee of representatives of the nationally organised bodies within the Dominion having either interEmpire or international affiliations, the purpose of the said committee being to discuss national problems and also to co-operate with the International Council of Women's standing committee or any other inter-Empire or international body; it being clearly understood that such a committee would be entirely independent and not in any way whatsoever part of the National Council of Women or of any other organisation. Arising out of the housing shortage and the need for suitable acommodation for middle-aged self-dependent Women who find it impossible to obtain suitable accommodation within their means, the following resolution was passed: "That the Government be urged in connection with its housing scheme to make provision for the needs of the middle-aged self-dependent women." Other business discussed at the meeting dealt with the pensions problem and a resolution was passed urging the Government to reopen the question of reciprocity of pensions within the Empire, particularly old age pensions. The final business of the evening was the discussion of a resolution suggesting that the Dominion conference be asked to send out an official appeal from the conference that the parents first, and the kindergarten and primary schools secondly, be urged to give the children of our country at least some knowledge of the things of God so that they may have some foundation on which to face the problems of life. ]yjiss Ellen Melville welcomed the following new delegates to the National Council: Kindergarten Association, Miss S. Newman; Lyceum Club, Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. Martin; Hospital Auxiliary, Mre. David Nathanj Catholic Women, Mrs. White; Luncheon Club, Mrs. Shaw; Avondale Women's Club, Mrs. Ingram; Fabian Club, Mrs. Humphrey; Howard League, Miss Potter; League of Nations Union, Miss Nelson and Mise Mewton; Congregational Women's League, Mrs. Jones; New Zealand Nurses' Association, Mies Cussen and Miss Bluett; Union of Jewish Women, Mrs. C. NathanUnitarian Women, Mrs. D. Kerr; Northcote Women, Mrs. Carter; Y.W.C.A Miss E. Griffin, Mrs. E. Morris and Mrs.' T. Clark; New Women's Club, Mrs. J. R. Boyd; Community Sunshine Association, Mrs. A. Turner; St. Andrew's Ladies Auxiliary, Mrs. P. O. Wright; and Crusade for Social Justice, Mrs. Armitage.