DIFFICULT YEAR

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 4

DIFFICULT YEAR

Welfare of Women & Children SOCIETY IS OPTIMISTIC Although the year just closed had proved a hard one, and the society had , had its share of difficulties, it was , looking forward to the future with ' quiet optimism, said the president, Mrs. ; G. Hunter, at last evening’s annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. “A ■ steady increase in the amount of work,” said Mrs. Hunter, “has been going on ever since the society began 36 years ago. It is becoming more and more known to the general public, and. we hope it will become better known still.” In the annual report, thanks were expressed to all who had continued to give the society valuable advice and help during the year, and reference was made also to the kind assistance given by the Victoria League, the St. Mary’s Homes and Alexandra Home. The death of Mr. Tregear, who had been a trustee for the society ever since its formation, had broken a link of ■ friendship which the society regretted. Appeal Badly Needed. “Owing to the strictly confidential nature of our work,” the report continued, “It is difficult to make an appeal for the sympathetic help of the general public, although this is badly needed. This year we have had to curtail our activities to a certain extent, and deeply regret that such a.step was found necessary. We gratefully acknowledge the help given by the Macarthy Trust, without vyhich we should have had to make even greater retrenchments, owing to the withdrawal of Government I grant. A legacy of £l5O from the estate of the late Mrs. Annie Anderson has also been particularly helpful. “We are still hoping for success for our efforts to obtain amended legislation on questions which so vitally affect the women and children of this Dominion, such as the nationality of married women, the establishment of women police, and the greater privacy of the Courts in domestic cases. This year the society has been making a special study of the cinema with a view to using such a tremendous force on right lines. The society wishes to put on record its deep appreciation of the services of its secretary, Miss C. Kirk. It is due to her untiring interest and unfailing sympathy that so much of our work has been possible.” Work During Year. The report emphasised the fact that a very large part of the society’s work was preventive, the chief aim being to guard the sanctity of the home. ‘ By far the major portion of the cases in which advice and help bad been given had been those in which domestic difficulties between wife and husband were smoothed out and reconciliation effected. In many cases of neglect’ of children, the neglect was not wilful but simply a want of understanding of the real needs of the children concerned. Almost always the advice of the sociey had been accepted in a friendly spirit, and an effort had been made to put it into practice. During the year the secretary had paid 594 visits. The number of interviews held at the office had been 3108. and the number of new cases 353. After reading the annual report, Mrs; Hunter gave the meeting an outline of the work which had been done Hi connection with an attempt to improve the standard of cinema films shown in New Zealand. The subject was touched upon later by Mrs. Sprott, who moved the adoption of the annual report, and by Miss Mary Richmond, who gave the' principal address of the evening. Both speakers were in full accord with the society’s plan as described by Mrs. Hunter. High tributes were paid by Miss Richmond to work done In the early years of the society’s existence by Lady Stout and Mrs. A. R. Atkinson, and others. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mrs. Hunter ; vice-presidents, Mrs. Chatfield, Mrs. Peryman, Mrs. Webb, Miss Telfer; treasurer, Mrs. Line; advisory committee, Lady McGavin, Mrs. Macarthy Reid, Mrs. Harry, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Bagley, and Miss Parlane: committee, Mrs. Harley-Brown, Mrs. Frazer, Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Norman Jones, Mrs. Montgomery, and Mrs. O’Shea. At the conclusion of formal business songs were given by Miss N. Jervis and Miss E. Fair, and recitations by Miss Tait. The accompanist was Miss Lucas. The evening ended with supper. “OBSTINATE—JUST LIKE A MAN,” A certain young man caught a cold through becoming overheated at a dance. He made light of his distress and during the following days airily told his friends that the cold would run its course. A fortnight later he met the young lady he had danced with and site was alarmed and annoyed that his coid was still as bad as ever. “Obstinate—just like a man,” said she, but she was able to overcome her friend’s obstinacy and persuade him to purchase a bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. Don’t allow a cold to drag you down. A prolonged cold is not only inconvenient but becomes a menace to others. It also dangerously weakens the system. A bottle of “Baxter’s” is the best answer to any cold. This warming, soothing, palatable compound loosens and clears a cold. It eases the throat and tones up the system with its tonic properties. Always insist on “Baxter’s”, the famous old remedy with a great reputation. All chemists and stores sell 1/6. 2/6, and 4/6 sizes.—Advt.