SOCIAL AN9 PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2999, 9 February 1917, Page 2

SOCIAL AN9 PERSONAL

Red Cross Meeting. Tho Women's Committed of tho Wellington Branch of tho British Bed Ctobs liold its monthly meeting yesterday morning in the i?od Gross Depot, Mercer Street. Mrs; J, P. Lnko presided, and there was a goad attendance of members. The secretary reported that letters had beeii received irom'Lieut.-Colonel 0. M. Dawson, P.M.O. at Samoa, and Chaplain-Captain Winton, thanking the committoo for comforts for tho mon in hospital. Tho former wroto saying tho men in hospital wished to express their gratitude, also that suitable clothing for hospitals in tho tropics was hard to obtain, so the articles sent would be of great service. Captain Winton wrote from a transport, saying "tho gifts will help the men to enjoy their Christmas, and in giving them pleasure you mil receivo the same." ■ Mrs.' Arthur Pearco reported that she, with Mrs. W. F. Massey, visited the central workrooms of the lied Cross Society in London, and that tho worlcors liad; told them how thoy appreciated all that had been done by the New Zealand and' Australian Socioties. . During February and March of last year, if it had not been for the arrival of Australasian goods, their store in England would have been quite depleted, and they would not have been able to fulfil ail tho requisitions sent to them. Tho authorities at Home appreciate "regular supplies such as are sent' from the Wellington depot. Through' Mrs. Pearco a case of madeup garments as patterns has been received, also six sets of flat paper patterns of Red Cross garments, ana a number of bandages of patterns now to the workers at the depot. ■ Good work was reported by the heads of the various departments, who expressed the hope that all workers would soon he back from their holidays Mrs. J. P. Luke has been chosen as tho representative of this body at the Red Cross Conference called by His Excellency tho Governor this month. During the past month the workers at the depot have sent away 65 cases of garments, including 1360 pairs of pyjamas. Tho following list of requirements has been forwarded by the Governor, who has received them from Lord Plunket: Goods most required—Pyjamas, under-, flannels; underpants, shirts with khaki collars, woollon shirts without collars, socks, mufflers, leather-soled slippers, woollon waistcoats, gloves, and mittens. Tho Depot Committee will also bo grateful for facocloths, 12 by 12 inches, and treasure hags, 10 by 12 inches, made with purse strings. Conoert at Returned Soldiers' Club. There was a very large attendance of returned soldiers and their friends in the club's pleasant rooms on Lambton Quay. Tho "Purple Courtiers" gavo an excellent entertainment from tlio opening chorus, "We're Courtiers Gay," to tho finale, "Listen to the Band," thero was never a dull moment. The Misses Joplin and L. Chapman sang "Chinatown" and "The Sunshado Lad)'" respectively. Mr. W. Millier and Corporal W. M'Keon contributed monologues; Miss Chapman and Corporal M'Keon sang a duet; Mr. Peak gavo an oxccllont character song; and Mr. P. Martin sang a tenor solo; Messrs. Peek, W. Church, and Ser-geant-Major Nees sang solos, and there were also several choruses" by tho entire company, and a quartette, entitled "The Tack," which was thoroughly appreciated. Supper was served upstairs, 'the pretty littlo tablecloths in ecru crash, banded with a bright border of chintz, were much admired. Flowers wero everywhere— hydrangens, carnations, gallardias. After supper the dancing, which every soldior man seems to love, began, and continuod to a late hour. Word has been received that Sister E. M. "Dement, formerly of the Wellington Hospital,'is now enjoying a well-earned holiday in London, after several months near tho firing-lino in France. Mrs. Cardale (Feathorston) has gono to Itotorua for {fie croquot tournament. A party of soldiers from tlio Feathorston Camp visited Masterton on Wednesday and gave a concert in tho Municipal Hall, in aid of tho funds of tho Lady Liverpool Committee. A sum of £24 was taken at tho door. Tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock there will ho a meeting for the Surprise Bag Day, and it is hoped that there will bo a attendance of all who aro interested in tho movement. 1

Need for Women Police. Thoro was. a good attendance, of womon in the Esperanto Hall to hear Mrs. Donaldson speak on the necessity for women police in New Zealand. Mrs. Snow, tho president of tho Housowivos' Union, who was in tho chair, introduced tho lecturer to those present. Mrs. Donaldson said that in agitating for the immediate appointment. of women polico in Now Zealand, our women wore working with hundreds of intelligent women throughout the. entire world. Tho appointment of .women police, of course, could not solve every social problem, hut many beneficial changes would bo tho'rosult. Men and women composed the sum of humanity, and so, slio contended, men'and women Bhould be equally represented everywhere—parliaments, courts, camps, and all sphores of social activity and organisation. Men, tho lecturer said, could not administer for women nor womon for mon. Co-operation between men and women was essential if our cities wero to be built up on the best lines, and our city life to be puro and noble. The value of child life had been doubly enhanced for the State sinco the terrible slaughter of the present war had beon depleting the tanks of our adults. It was to tbli children that the State must look for its future. Li many cases girls were led astray before they know that they were in any special danger. Women _ who were content with things in their prosent condition because they were indifferent to tho trials and temptations of others less fortunately placed than themselves, and who would do. nothing to help to bring about some necessary reforms, wero not only guilty of mere passivity in not helping, but were morally guilty of giving a weaker sistor the final push which leads to utter ruin. Also women polico were necessary to patrol_ our streets nnd parks for; the protection of our young girls and boys. Of what use was it for parents to guard their children carefully in the home if they were to be exposed to dangers in the; streets and parks. The working girl, of course, Buffered most, ficcaUßo'she.had to leave school at an early age before her mind and character were formed, in order to earn her living. So' insufficiently equipped she had to begin and fight the battle of life. Many girls begin life by thinking all men were like their fathers and brothers, and' women like their motliers or sisters, and very often they did not realise their mistake untu too late, and the girl found herself a social outcast. Cultured women, the lecturer urged, should dovote themselves to limping the children of workers who have not the time, or money, or opportunity to do mucli themselves. The dangor was just the same for boys, but a boy did not suffer tho same pun-, Ishment. The New Zealand women who ■ were agitating for the immediate appointment of womon police were told to wait and see what other countries were doing in tho matter, and so forth. Yet New Zealand had ever beon to the fore in political reforms, and the Now Zealand women were considered intelligent enough to got the vote long'before the women of other countries got it. Surely, the lecturer continued, wo are as capable and as intelligent as Englishwomen and Americans. In England women police wero employed by the local bodies who paid their salaries, women bad a certain local standing, and everywhere their influence h?.d been for good. The women who have been at the bottom'of this reform were not those of .the working class, but women of education, with University training, and tliey wero all agreed that this reform must come to save our boys and girls. All political and social differences of creed and class t must be sunk, . and all women's societies and guilds must unite to bring about this great and necessary reform. A resolution was put to the meeting by Mrs. Snow, and seconded by Mrs. Moore, who said that all wajnen of every class should unite to further this movement for tlio protection of our girls and boys. In view of the recent remarks made by Mr. Justice Hosking at tho Supremo Court in Auckland regarding the number of cases of indecent assaults on young children. The resolution was as follows: "That this meeting, which is held under the auspices of the Wellington Housewives' Union, call upon tho Government to appoint some women polico at once." The motion was carried. Wellington Fled Gross Shop Association. Friday, February's), Miramar Ladies' | Sewing Guild; Tuesday, February 13, Miss Cooper and Miss Moss (flowers); Friday, February 16, Victoria League; Tuesday, February 20, Miss Cooper and Miss Moss (flowers)'; Friday, February 30, Johnsonville Ladies' National Reservo; Tuesday,'./February; ; 27,. Miss Cooper and ; Miss Moss'(flowers). Soldiers' Room Hostesses. Sunday, Mrs. Joseph Joseph; Monday, Mrs. M'Carth'y Rcid, Mrs. D. Nathan; Tuesday, Mrs. Bristow, Mrs. Moss; Wednesday, Ladios of St. John Ambulance; .Thursday, Mrs. Fordham, Mrs. Brico; Friday, Earori Branch Women's National Reserve; Saturday, St. John's Church Association. Mrs. Duncan and Miss Duncan (Park Terrace, Christchurch) are on a visit to Wellington." Special Blouse values!—so Irish emi broiderod voile blouses, in dainty designs, , now selling at 10s. 6d. Price's Store, 51-50 Willis Street—Advt. .