NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22135, 3 July 1937, Page 2

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH

A cordial welcome home was extended to Miss Mildred Trent (past president) at a meeting of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women. Miss M. G. Havelaar (president) presided over a good attendance, and Miss Trent gave an interesting account of her visit to America. Many delegates brought back replies from their societies regarding remits taken 'to them, on divorce, removal of restrictions on the employment of married women teachers, and religious training in the homes and in schools. Mrs Mackay reported on giving evidence to the committee of inquiry into the maternity services of the Dominion. The secretary was asked to send a letter to the newly-formed Wanganui branch, congratulating members and welcoming them into the council. Miss Havelaar brought up the matter of women and girls being annoyed in Hagley Park and other open spaces. The secretary was asked to write to the local Superintendent of Police and to the City Council asking that parks be patrolled, if possible, and that better lighting be installed. Miss Havelaar reminded members of a drawing room meeting to be held at Bishopscourt this month, to which presidents of women's societies had been invited. The meeting is called to consider how best to help the problem of abortion in New Zealand. Members were reminded also of the luncheon to be given to women of the official party visiting Christchurch for the New Educational Conference. Mrs Taylor and Mrs Tomlinson outlined the meaning of the covenant of the League of Nations, and the resolutions passed at the conference of the International Council of Women at Dubroovnik. The council endorsed the resolutions, and the speakers were thanked for their clear explanation of the subject. - The honorary secretary (Miss F. L. Cooper) was granted two months' leave of absence owing to pressure of business. Miss Trent offered to act as minute secretary and Miss Havelaar as correspondence secretary in her absence.

GIFT PARTY

Miss Freda Pedder and Mrs H. W. Allen were hostesses at an enjoyable gift party given in the grey room at Beaths in honour of Mrs J. G>. Low, formerly Miss Florence : -rnn. Among those present were Mesdames L Marquet. J. Gott, L. Moore, T. Calder, H. Allen. Misses Audrey and Nell Merrin, Babs Turner. Dulcie Dyer, Mavis and Maire Wilson, Cassie Goward, Mollie Walsh, Amy Sutherland, Betty Beaven, Freda Pedder, and Rem'a Marquet.