NATIONAL COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 13

NATIONAL COUNCIL

Delegates from societies, : associates, and interested friends .■ attended the annual meeting of .. the Wellington Branch of the National Council of Women held last evening at the Dominion Farmers' Institute.- Mrs. A. E. Stone presided, and welcomed those present, with mention of the pleasure it gave to have the Mayoress (Mrs. G. A. Troup) at the meeting. .The annual report stated that there has been much increased activity during this year, with a number of new affiliations, the delegates now numbering 36, as against 18. in the previous year. The W.C.T.U., Society for the Protection of "Women and Children, and Borstal Committeß were welcomed as among the new affiliations. Mention was made of the retirement from the committee of Mrs. B. J. Moore, J.P., who has been a member of the N.CWV since its inception, and whose interest in the work is known and Valued, and also of Miss Watkin's retirement. Thanks were expressed to" these ladies for their work. The monthly meetings were well attended and several interesting addresses were given and many important remits discussed. Some of the matters dealt with were: The appointment of a woman vice-principal in Teachers' Training Colleges; punishment of offenders for assault on young children; the appointment of a Crown Law Officer to appear on behalf of women and children in necessitous cases; the age of children appearing at competitions; punishment for failure to attend military drill; advertisements re dancing girls for the Phillipine Islands; family allowances; women police; the unmarried mother and maintenance; nationality of married women. The last meeting of the year took the form of a round table conference with the local members of Parliament, when the following subjects were discussed: Films and posters, family allowances, twoissue ballot paper, physiological effects of alcohol, capitation to schools, Court work, women police, and \ the proposed amendment to the Public Health Act re small hospitals being used as training- schools for nurses. A deputation waited on the Minister for Justice re women police, when Mrs. A. B. Stone "and Miss Melville were the speakers. On the request of the N.C.W., the member for Wellington Suburbs (Mr. R. A. Wright) asked a direct question in the House re the censoring of posters. The report regretfully recorded the death of Mrs. Walker. To the Press and all those who had assisted the council in any way the committee expressed its heartfelt thanks. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. An election of officers took place. Mrs. A. B. Stone was re-elected as president, unopposed. The vice-presidents elected were Mrs. Henry Smith, Mrs. Baudinet, Mrs. Chatiield, Mrs. Peryinan, Miss C. X Kirk, and Miss M'Eac. Mrs. Forde consented to continue as hon. secretary, with Miss Welch as recording secretary. Mrs. Chapman was re-elected as hon. treasurer, and with Mrs. Forde and Miss Seaton, received a hearty vote of thanks for efficient services rendered, which had been of great value to the branch. Mrs.' Stone gave a brief address on the work and ideals of the N.C.W. showing the power and extent of the organisation throughont the world, mentioning that the members numbered millions of women.A pleasant little programme preceded supper. Miss Bonnie aud Miss Gray sang delightfully, and Miss Mary Cooley recited in her usual finished manner. Miss Seaton gave an interesting littlo reminiscent talk about her recent visit to Japan. Supper and a social half-hour concluded flic meeting.