WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 105, 31 October 1923, Page 8

WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL

AN INTERESTING, MEETING

A very interesting meeting was held in the large room at the Pioneer Club last night, when there was a large number present who had assembled on the invitation of Miss. Amy Kane, president of the Wellington Branch of the Women's National' Council, $0 meet Mrs. Carmalt Jones, of Dunedin, who is Dominion president of the council, 'ihe room was crowded with interested women, some of whom represented the twenty, or so of affiliated societies, and others were: there to consider the question of : further aifiliations,: either as delegates, or as part members, which is now allowed to individuals on special terms. Mrs. Carmalt Jones was introduced by Miss Kane.. She gave an account of the recent proceedings at the conference held in. Auckland, and told those present, that the subjects considered embraced nearly all those which touched the legislation regarding the good of the young.iii particular, and'citizens in general. ' Amendments to laws relating to mothers and children, housing, the peace of the world, and other vital matters received quiet consideration. . A number of the.remits .had been forwarded to the Ministers in charge, of different departments, in the hope that the voice of assembled women • would be given (heed- to, and measures taken to give effect to their recommendations. _ In regard to. the Women's 'National Council itself, Mrs,,,Carmalt. Jones said that she intended, during, her term of office, to do her: best to make it known far and wide as aiuprganisatibn" working for the good o£ others; :.■. The "council had ''no'axes to grind.,- it was not out. for. the glorification^oiyany'■•individuals ;, and the aims were purely. Unselfish and high-minded;"'.•,. She had just-been .visiting far-back country districts, in Hawkes Bay,: and she felt impelled to pay a tribute to tltfe:..moral courage of the women in :,tlie^untry districts. Far from the' comforts and advantages of the town, they: struggled on bravely and cheerfully/ to make their n9 nles comfortable, and help '■' their children to. education, under .'the most dimcult and trying circumstances, and she could not speak with'sufficient admiration of such women; -.Mrs ■ Carfu a «?x? c? urged it was/part of the W.N.L. to reach these women with knowledge of what the council was aiming to 'do in the way of the revising c r -WS' c ,housi".?- and general C9nditions ot lite. &he wished them to be'brought into groups, so that they could have representation on the council and> raisa either a protesting or an approving voice in order that the women in towns could-know, how best, to help them in their difficulties.. She asked that each. woman. -present would get - into ibuch with any; woman whom she'knew personally rm .the country districts, and spread.-the knowledge of .the council's work and efforts. It was the work of the councilors to organise the w.-.men of the. country, arid let them know ttie details of legislation; and how it was likely to.€iect.the.mand their families . "Mrs Csjmalt Jones alluded to- the recent discussion -011: the proposed admission of women as justices of the peace' and saidJb.at she had read the discussion in Hansard - it' was not ' 'nice or kind reading, and women naturally objected^ strongly. She: considered that the legislators h 3 d talked without understanding in the-matter: She i.rged that there is so little sex antagonism ,among : women that it is negligible, >nd not worth considering, -but the women m general, wish the best for humanity and are working for that end. Mon'e! Mrs: Carmalt Jones said that' it was hoped that a women's newspaper would soon be. launched.. Plans -were macle for a paper which would deal with "real" esthf-' made' thorouS% inter: , Mrs Carmalt Jones was asked a numvnt P f q flCStf "S) a c n<i acco'-ded a hearty IP of, th =anks- ,Supper was then ser/A- • ) andV l ?ome^,l ellghtt'uJ music, provided, by Mrs. Clinton. Hunt, Mrs East: wood, and Miss Berry "