WOMEN'S INVESTIGATION LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 40, 16 August 1917, Page 9

WOMEN'S INVESTIGATION LEAGUE

REPORT OF FIRST YEAR'S WORK,

Twelve months ago a number of local women undertook the formation of the Women's Social Investigation League, a body whose functions are examining and enquiring into questions of public interest. The first annual report, to be presented at to-night's meeting, contains much that is of general interest. Dealing with the personal side of the league, the report states that " last year the following committee was formed: —President, Mrs. A. R. Atkinson; vice-presi-dents, MesdameS' Sommerville and Hunter, Misses England, Hetherington, and M'Lean; chairwoman, Miss M. Nicholls; vice-chairwoman, Miss Coad; joint hem. secretaries, Misses Crawford and Hueston; treasurer, Miss M'Kenzie; committee, Misses Crabb and Ross. Owing to the departure of Miss Ross and Miss Hueston from Wellington during the year, it was found necessary to elect two new members. Miss Hursthouse and Miss Neumanp were accordingly elected. "The first subject upon which members centred their attention was section 6 of the Education Act. This was followed later by a discussion on the report and recommendation of the National Council of Education concerning differentiation in the training of boys and girls in the primary schools. Other subjects dealt with were the questions of continuation classes, municipal markets, criticism of methods of raising money for patriotic purposes, and the drink traffic during war time. Among the speakers who have expressed their views at these lectures and discussions were Misses Coad, Hall, P. Myers, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. A. R. Atkinson, Professor Hunter, Messrs. Parkinson, Hutcheson, M. J. Reardon, D. Seymour, and A. R. Atkinson. " The co-operative work of the society has included the visiting of picture theatres for three months and reporting upon the films to the Richmond Free Kindergarten Union for the purpose of a deputation to the Efficiency Board; the arranging of an initial meeting of various women's societies for the purpose of forming a local branch of the Women's National Council, and the affiliation of the league with the local branch of the National Council. Various bodies have also been circularised in regard to various decisions arrived at by the league. Donations of literature to the league's library are acknowledged by the league. The balance-sheet, of which Mr. H. E. Nicholls was the honorary auditor, shows a balance in hand. Altogether the members of the league are to be congratulated upon the interest they have taken in various questions of the day in regard to which it is very desirable that women should be thoroughly informed and ready to take an active part if necessary."