THE AGE OF CONSENT

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 26 May 1923, Page 9

THE AGE OF CONSENT

FACTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE CHURCH CONGRESS. ■ A discussion took place at a meeting of the Wellington branch of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children yesterday upon the address of the Bishop of Auckland in which he urged women to continue to agitate for the raising of the age of consent It was decided to bring under the notice of the Church Congress, under the auspices of which the address was given, | the following facts and suggestions :— "This society, supported by several others of Christian women, has steadily endeavoured for over 20 yeavs, by all.constitutional means—i.e., by resolutions passed and forwarded to Government; by deputations; by appeals contained in letters to Ministers; by steady propaganda in reports and at annual meetings—to induce Parliament to agree to their request that the age of consent be raised _to 18 years. The reasons urged for tin's reform include the fact that the! years give a girl aii added chance /of better poise, knowledge of tho world., and common-sense, which would prove invaluable when under temptation, the two years from 16 to 18 being ones of great advancement in most cases. This appeal has been steadily rejected by a majority in both Houses of Legislature, though good support has been given by individual members. I "It is suggested that the congress addresses the urgent appeal in this.case, not to the' women (who have patiently done their utmost iv the matter), but to the older men of the Dominion, and more especially to all members of Parliament and the Legislative Council. AH these are aware of the wishes of the women of the Dominion, circulated questions on this important matter and others having been addressed to each Parliamentary candidate, and to members-of the council as well only last year, while, as before stated, the Government has again and again been unsuccessfully approached.

"With reg.ird to the diminishing birthrate, which the society ' regards as a most regrettable fact in the life of the Dominion, again it is suggested that the congress should appeal, ""not only to the women, but to the men of the country to join with them in insisting that a very large and adequate scheme of hcus. ing should be instituted throughout the Dominion, so that women of small means would have some reasonable chance -of bringing up their children in decency cleanliness, and health; this being impossible at present to an increasing number of the people of the Dominion. The fact that the large majority.of homes are so small and ill-constructed le;\ds to the fact that the young people are not able to get any reasonable recreation, or entertain their friends within doors at their' own homes, whioh means that they look for all their amusement outside the homes, where at present, through the inadequate housing the parents are unable to make better arrangements. Wjth better housing, the society considers that there will gradually come an improve, ment in the morals of the younger generation, with an immense saving 'in the expenses of reformatories, homes, a«d hospitals. But, the society respectfully points out to the congress, combined work and effort on-the part of the men of the country is necessary. "The society is greatly in sympathy with the efforts of the congress to establish a better state of morals throughout Christendom, but ia of opinion tSat Ji a combined force of both men and women were formed, as women hold so few positions of power or.' importance' m the Dominion, more might be accomplished. Therefore they would welcome an appeal to those who do hold high and responsible positions for the reforms ■which have been worked for by women for so many years without success."