PROTECTION OF WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 32, 1 November 1929, Page 5

PROTECTION OF WOMEN

ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY

BETTERMENT OF COURT CONDITIONS

The annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held yesterday afternoon, and was opened by the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup), who was accompanied by Mrs. Troup. Mr. Troup commended the work done, and that attempted to be done by the society. Much of the work could not be recorded on paper, for the keynote was privacy. To be successful it must avoid publicity. The safety and strength of the nation. From the result of Dr. BarnnrLife took form from its environment, and the home was the environment of the children, and whatever could be done to protect the home and make it sweet and wholesome must be for the good of the nation. From the results of Dr. Barnardo’s Home they could sec what could be done by environment with the most unpromising material. The work of protecting women and children centred inthe home, and such work deserved every commendation. Mr. Troup made reference to the recent accounts of drinking among young people, and said he hoped that the society would join with others in that matter, and not let it rest until some solution was found. Tn conclusion Mr. Troup said that the measure of success was the work put into it, and he wished the society continued success in the work they were doing. . . , As Mr. Troup had to leave lor another appointment, the chair was taken by the president, Mrs. Chatfield. The Year’s Work. The annual report stated that the committee felt that, although the laws iwid conditions of life were gradually showing improvement in a number of necessary , directions, the proof of the urgent need of the society for the protection of women and children was continually being demonstrated. Cases had been investigated in New Plymouth, Otaki, Paraparaumu. Levin, and Picton, as well as in the city and suburbs, and nt. Palmerston North the monthly visits of the secretary had been continued regulaily. The society had joined in the establishment of regular hospital visiting for the benefit of the patients in the Public Hospital; and delegates had been appointed to the central committee. That work was also capable of extension, and it was hoped that members would sec their way to further efforts when and where neces‘‘Separation and maintenance . cases continue to be much in evidence m the work of the society.” continued the report, “and it is confidently felt that this work may be termed ’preventive.’ inasmuch as the majority of these eases are ones in which separation has been contemplated ; but, with the advice, and help given, in man}' instances reconciliation is effected.” Privacy of Courts. “The society has worked- consistently for the .betterment of Court conditions. The objects have been to secure more privacy for all cases where women and girls are concerned. The committee is glad to state that there is an improvement in this direction. Domestic cases are now heard in the small court-room, but. the society is still working and hoping for the time when nil oyer the Dominion. in town and country Courts, such cases shall not be heard in the presence, of those who come to the Courts merely

for the purpose of satisfying their idle curiosity. A gratifying letter was received this year from the New Zealand Law Society, after an interview with the president and secretary, stating that the members approved the request of the Protection Society for this privacy, and would give it all support. The Magistrates have also shown a sympathetic attitude, and they arc thanked for the improvement already made. "The committee views with approval the establishment of an educative home at Templeton Farm for some of the boys from the special classes, and is glad to be assured that one for girls from the same classes will be very shortly in operation. Congratulations are also offered on the establishment of an after-care society for the benefit and protection of these young people when adolescent. Censorship pf Posters. “While granting with pleasure that there is some improvement made in the films presented to the publie it is felt that there is still need for more certain censorship. It is generally agreed, judging from the Press opinions, that the posters arc often in lamentable taste, bad art, crude colouring,- and offensive in subject.” The society thanks the T. G. Macarthy Trust for £75, the Government for a grant of £lOO, the hon. physicians and solicitors, the hon. auditor, the clerk of the Magistrate's Court, the maintenance officer, the superintendent, inspector and officers of the Police Force, the Social Welfare Committee, Alexandra Home. St. Mary's Home. Salvation Army, the TwoGarment Society, Victoria League., and others who have helped with' clothing, etc., for cases of distress, the proprietors of the “Evening Ppst,” “Dominion,” and “Free Lance.” Mental Defectives ActDr. Ada Paterson, school medical officer, gave a brief address ou what the Mental Defectives Act was gradually bringing about. Those whom they were chiefly concerned with in the schools were the mentally deficient classed as being able to earn a livelihood under favourable circumstances but not able to compete with normal people on equal terms. In testing those cases great care had to be taken and every allowance made for environment as well as heredity, and in every case it was recognised that the child must have full physical care from the inception, hence it was necessary to have ante-natal, maternity and post-natal care. A good deal of work had been going on quietly since the passing of the Act. A clinic had been setablished in Wellington, and the social worker appointed had visited nearly a hundred homes. It was found that people appreciated the help offered. Dr. Paterson thought the establishment of villa homes as was being done was the best way of dealing with those eases. The system had to be quite elastic so that the children could be classified and moved if found necessary. In such homes they could be taught what would be useful to them and they would be well cared for. Election of Officers. The following officers were elqcted: Vice-patroness, Mrs. K. 13. Evans; president, Mrs. Peryman; vice-presidents, Mcsdames Chatfield, Hunter, Montgomery and Wright; Advisory Committee. Lady McGavin, Dr. Platts-Mills, Dr. Ada Paterson. Mcsdames Maearthy-Reid, Ponsonby, Misses Bagley and Parlane: committee. Lady Chapman. Mesdames Evans, Frazer, Glover, Gowing. Harrhy, Hunter, Kidson. Kirkcaldic, O’Shea, Price, Webb, and Miss Telfer; treasurer, Mrs. Line; trustees. Sir Francis Bell, Messrs. Archibald, Atkinson, Hoby and Tregear: lion, solicitors, Sir Francis Bell, Mrs. Down, Messrs. Atkinson, Cooper (.Palmerston North), Cornish, Dunkley, Egley, Fell (Nelson). Field. Lloyd (Danncvirke), McGregor (Palmerston North). De La Mare (Hamilton), Rollings. J. F. B. Stevenson, O. Stout, R. Webb, West-Walker and Wood (Napier) ; hon. physicians, Dr. Agnes Bennett. Dr. Sylvia Chapman, Dr. Ada Paterson. Dr. Platts-Mills. Dr. R. Stout. Dr. D. Stout, and Dr. Young; auditor. Mr. Archibald. Mrs. Sprott paid a tribute to the work of the retiring president, Mrs. Chatfield, saying that the society had made great progress during her term of ofliec.