PROTECTION SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1931, Page 7

PROTECTION SOCIETY

EVER-INCREASING WORK

The aims of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children are set forth very simply and directly in the annual report. The society exists to give advice to people in distress; to prosecute in all cases of ill-usage, cruelty, seduction, outrage or violence to or desertion of women and children; to investigate, and report on cases where it is stated that parents or guardians are unfit to take charge of children; and to promote legislative reform with a view to the more effective protection of women and children.

The report states that during the past year office interviews numbered 3113, now eases dealt with 356, and the- number of children concerned 477. Tho cases summarised were in connection with advice and help, alleged cruelty, separation and maintenance, custody of children, and affiliation. In connection with maintenance the society administered for quite a number of cases, over £300 being passed through the office during tho year. SPEECHES OF COMMENDATION. Mrs. Sprott, a former president, presided at the annual meeting held at the Lyceum Club last evening, when there was a good attendance of interested people. In her opening address Mrs. Sprott said that she had been one of the first to belong to the committee thirty-four years ago, and she had no idea at the time that tho society would develop into one of such great importance. She thought that it might be due to the outstanding personality of some of its leaders. The report spoke of the loss of Lady Stout, the founder of the society in Wellington and its first secretary, and Mrs. Sprott paid a tribute to her fine and earnest work. The Eev. Dr. Elliott was also mentioned with appreciation and regret. The work, said Mrs. Sprott, was not only necessary and helpful, but very tiring and exhausting to both committee and secretary, as the cases that arose were full of difficulties, and the people who came wero often ill such distress that it was not easy to kno%v quite how best to deal with them. She paid a tribute to tho work of Miss C. E. Kirk, the secretary, to her tact, kindness, cheerfulness, aad unsparing efforts to help others.

Mrs. Perynian, the retiring president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, spoke of the extent and difficulty of the work, and mentioned the value of tho services of tho secretary. Another branch of work undertaken by the society was tho registration of unemployed women and girls, and in connection with this Mrs. Hunter had done excellently. Mrs. Line was thanked for her good services as hon. treasurer, and Mrs. Peryman paid a tribute to the good work of the committee altogether. Tho society was working for several legislative reforms, and had sent deputations to Ministers of the Crown spocially in connection, with the appointment of women police, alteration to the Marriage Act to enable a woman minister to officiate, raising the statutory age of marriage, the better censorship of films, and more and better privacy in Courts for women and girls in domestic and affiliation cases.

The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. Mr. B. A. Wright, M.P., gave an interesting address on the Child Welfare Act, and later Miss Kirk spoke of the working of the office, giving some idea of tho cases presented to her. She emphasised the necessity for more privacy in the Monday Courts, showing the harm that was done by the presence of idle people who had no interest except an unpleasant curiosity, and who caused considerable trouble at times to those who had to appear.

Votes of thanks were passed to tho T. G. Macarthy Trust for a grant, tho superintendent and members of the Polico Force, St. Mary's Home, Victoria League, Director of 2ZAV (for broadcasting requests for help, which had brought in fine results), the Advisory Committee, the auditor, solicitors, and physicians, the Press, all who subscribe and help the society, and tq the president and speakers for the evening. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patroness, Lady Bledisloe; vieepatronesses, Lady Chapman, Mrs. Sprott, Mrs. Kirkcaldic, Mrs. Evans; president, Mrs. Hunter; vice-presidents, Mesdamns O'Shea, Perytnnn, Webb, and Miss Tclfer; treasurer, Mrs: Line; advisory committee, Lady M'Gavin, Dr. Platts-Mills, Dr. Ada Patersou, Mrs. Maearthy-Beid, Misses P>agley and Parlane; committee, Mesdamos Brown, Chatfleld, Frazer, Glover, Harry, Jones, Montgomery, Price, and Wright; secretary, Miss Kirk, J.P.; lion, auditor, Mr. B. *J. Archibald; trustees, Sir Francis Bell, Messrs. Archibald, Atkinson, Hoby, and Tregear; hon. solicitors, Sir Francis Bell, Mrs. Down, Messrs.. Atkinson, Cooper (Palmerston North), Cornish, Dunkley, Egley, Fell (Nelson), Field, Lloyd (Dannevirke), M'Gregor (Palmerston North), do la Mare (Hamilton), Rollings, J. F. B. Stevenson, R. Webb, West-Walker, and Wood (Napier): lion, physicians, Dr. Agnes Bennett, Dr. Sylvia Chapman, Dr. Christina Fimllator, Dr, Ada Patcrson, Dr. Platts-Mills, Dr. E. Stout, Dr. D. Stout, and Dr. Young. Supper was served and a pleasant half-hour was spent before the meetling terminated.