NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23004, 26 April 1940, Page 2

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

DOMINION PRESIDENT ELECTED

Mrs W. N. Benson (Dunedin) was elected Dominion president of the National Council of Women of New Zealand at the final session of the Dominion conference held on Wednesday. Miss E. Sullivan (Dunedin) was elected Dominion secretary, and Mrs E. McNair (Auckland) was re-elected. Representatives of -the International Council of Women standing committees appointed were:—Press, Miss A. Basten (Auckland): laws and Legal position of women, Miss E. Melville (Auckland); public health, Miss A. Buckley (Christchurch); education, Mrs D. G. Gordon (Wanganui); trades

and professions, Miss M. A. Trent (Christchurch); child welfare. Miss B. E. Carnachan (Auckland); cinema, Mrs Tomlinson (Christchurch); broadcasting, Miss M. G. Havelaar; housing, Miss I. M. Jamieson: domestic economy. Mrs W. F. Kent-Johnston (Christchurch); finance, Mrs E. McNair; I.C.W. bulletin. Miss L. V. Langsford; peace and arbitration, Mrs Milligan; migration, Mrs Heflord (W-llington); and suffrage, Miss England. It was decided that tthe next conference should be held at Wanganui, towards the end of September 1941. Women Police In reply to a telegram sent to the Minister in charge of police, asking that a deputation from the conference wait on the Minister in Wellington today to discuss the appointment of women police, a telegram received from the Hon. Peter Fraser stated that a deputation would be unnecessary as the Government intended having appointments made as soon as arrangements couM be made. Miss E. Melville (Auckland) moved that the following message should be sent immediately to the Hon. Peter Fraser: —“The National Council of Women desires to thank you for your telegram stating the intention of the Government to make appointments of women police as soon as arrangements can be completed. The council, hbwever, is deeply disappointed at the long delay since passing of the legislation making provision for women police, and considers the mattef of extreme urgency, particularly in view of war conditions. It begs the favour of an interview on Friday.” The telegram was sent during the morning session. , . A remit dealing with the treatment of shell-shocked soldiers from the South Canterbury branch, was presented by Mrs Holgate, and passed.

It read: “As it is inevitable that the war will intensify the problem of the shell-shocked soldier, the Government be urged to make provision for adequate psychotherapy for returned soldiers in homes other than mental hospitals.” Another of the remits passed was from the Wanganui branch asking the National Council to urge the appointment of women representatives on any council, national or international, authorised by the Governments to discuss peace problems.