PROTECTION SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 141, 16 June 1936, Page 15

PROTECTION SOCIETY

SOME CASES MENTIONED A meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held recently when there were present Lady Statham, Mesdames O'Shea, Dallard, Radford, Sine, Forde, Glover, Montgomery, Coutts, Peryman, and Miss Kirk (secretary). On behalf of the members Mrs. Peryman welcomed Lady Statham and Mrs. Radford, and expressed pleasure that they were now members of the committee. ' The summary of the work for May showed that 232 visits were received and 40 calls made; 53 letters were received, and 93 sent out; 18 new cases were dealt with and 40 cases from previous months were still receiving help and advice.

Correspondence concerning cases was read. Many maintenance cases were dealt with by the secretary.

The president spoke of the help given by the society to women who were working. In cases of separation by mutual agreement the maintenance

money was paid into the society's office and was collected by the woman when convenient. In cases of legal separation (if authority was given to the secretary) the money was collected by her from the - maintenance officer, as women at work found it difficult to go to the officer during office hours. Many cases were dealt with and varied as follows: —(a) Information received of a child being ill-treated (secretary to verify the information and report to Child Welfare Department), (b) Matrimonial trouble, wife had sought assistance and advice; husband had been interviewed -(with patience and tact differences had been adjusted and in the words of the wife, "I'm one of your successes"), (c) Wife came to office showing signs of illusage. Persistent cruelty has not 1 been denied by husband (as reconciliation was impossible the case was to go to' Court, and if required legal assistance will be given). Several needy cases had been - helped with clothing, etc. ' ■

A discussion in regard to finance took place. Like all societies, it was stated,' their resources had been taxed to the utmost during the years of deprcssion. Mesdames Radford and Coutts were appointed a committee to arrange ail afternoon party, and other plans to aid finance were brought forward by the treasurer.