WOMAN'S WORK.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17452, 12 May 1922, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORK.

ADDRESS BY MR S. E. McCARTHY.

In the Chamber of Commerce last night under the auspices of the W.C.T U., Mr S. E. McCarthy gave an address on "Woman Knocking at the Door." There was a large attendance, over which Mrs T. E. Taylor presided. The chairwoman said the meeting was one of several being held by the W.C.T.U. in Chiistchurch and vicinity in connexion with women's work. For the past fifty years women had been struggling ro make their voices heard in matters connected with the government of theii pountry, and its influence on municipal and home life. There were three large organisations of women in the civilised world —the World's Women's Temperance Uniqn, the International Women's Suffrage Alliance, and the International Women's Council —and it was noteworthy that at their conferences these bodies came to conclusions that were practically the same. Those conclusions related to the uplifting of the race, the care of the mother, the protection of children, and generally, whatever made for the spiritual, social, and moral uplifting of the people. Tlie enfranchisement of women had thrown these responsibilities upon them, and they felt that it was their duty to assist in improving social conditions/.

Mr McCarthy traced the gradual improvement of the status of women and said that woman's present position was due solely to the spread of Christianity. He detailed some of the struggles that, women had had to make to win recognition'*in medicine and other professions, and to secure the parliamentary and municipal franchises. He indicated some directions —notably in respect of guardianship—in which the law required to be amended to ensure justice to women. In ■ connexion with crime.he that there was need for specially trained women to act as police and detective officers, also as justices, as jurors, and as Magistrates. State interference with the. personal Habits of the people was only justifiable on grave grounds of public policy and he asserted that such grounds existed in Connexion with the liquor question. He cited instances of the results of excessive drinking in increased crime and insanity. In respect of endeavours to copo with the evils of drink the public generally received little assistance from the Press,' which, with few] exceptions,; had become the intellectual props of the trade. He submitted that prohibition had been successful in the United States, the widespread distress and un-r employment being duo to the financial position of that nation. For many years, he said, in concluding, woman had been knocking at the door of the world's opportunities with the' one object in view—to quality herself to render faithful artd effective service. After Mr McCarthy had answered qestions he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks Non the motion of Miss Henderson, seconded by Mrs Roberts.