NATIONAL COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 110, 5 November 1937, Page 7

NATIONAL COUNCIL

RECENT CONFERENCE

WELLINGTON DISCUSSION

It was shown that women are vitally interested in social problems .arid their solution by the large attendance of members of the National Council of Women at the monthly meeting of the Wellington branch, when the delegates' report of the biennial conference, held recently in Auckland, was discussed. The president, Miss E. M. North, presided, and on behalf of the council congratulated Mrs. B. L. Dallard on her election, as president of the society lor the Protection of Women and Children. New delegates from the W.C.T.U., the Women's Social Progress Movement, and the Home Science Alumnae were also welcomed. A letter from the secretary of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition was read, advising the council that it was to be represented on No. 3 committee—that of Home Science, Nursing, arid Child Welfare—and Mesdames M. H. Chatfleld, J.P., and M. J. Forde were nominated. REPORTS OF CONFERENCE. Two of the delegates to the Auckland conference then gave their reports. Mrs. Peryman dealt with the social side of the conference and the remits under the heading of justice, the members of the branch being particularly interested in the latter. Mrs. R. P. Graham reported on the general proceedings. The following message from Lady Aberdeen, foundress of the International Council of Women, which had been read at the conference, was then read out: "Tell the women of New Zealand that I watch the work that they are doing with keen interest, thai I often think of them. Give them my congratulations and my love." Some disappointment was expressed over the way in which the remits dealing with habitual criminals and the conduct of the Borstal Institutions had been deal with by conference, the feeling being that the voting did not, in any way, represent the opinion of the National Council of Women throughout the Dominion. . Satisfaction was felt that the Wellington remit, urging that power be given the Courts of summary jurisdiction to make interim orders; to refer appropriate cases to conciliators; ' to provide special sessions for domestic cases and to exclude from such sessions all those not.directly connected, had been passed by a large majority. Other remits passed dealt with the needfor reciprocity of pensions within the Empire, especially old age pensions, the-need for women police, the necessity for some form of motherhood endowment, and, the need to work unceasingly for world peace. Another urged that "the Government, through its housing scheme, should make provision for the" ; needs of the middleaged,, self-dependent .women,, to, enable them to obtain accommodation within their means and also' for the aged; people of limited means, so that they might be able to remain in their own homes. Another suggested that }iri cases where men on sustenance were found to be drinking, the sustenance money should be paid to the wife or some other responsible person, this payment to be made operative in all districts. Further remits recommended, 'the setting up of occupational and industrial centres for backward children,, also 'thi establishment of hostels for such children in the above centres. .; A popular remit was that all restrictions : regarding the employment. of mjarrieid: women should be removed. ipelegates reported that a remit asking for a Hoyal (Commission to inquire intos*!!*^^^;^!^^ was "lost;, representatives"''•from:■■ all over the country declaring that their respective branches felt that the subject had been satisfactorily "dealt :with by the Committee of Inquiry set up.by the Government. A- resolution was .passed , commending the action of the Government in setting up the Committee, complimenting it on its report,, and urging it to follow up the suggestions and recommendations contained therein.''.'. ."'''• "Mrs.'.Peryman, expressed her ;;appreciation, as leader of the delegation, lor the,''hospitality extended by the Auckland branch to all members of the conferejnce. ■■'.-."'",. Mention was also made of the fact that in January, 1940, the Pan-Pacific Conference-would-be'held in New Zealand; .' Wellington having been chosen-as. the venue. Miss Elsie An-drews,-chairman of the New Zealand committee, had expressed a hope that the National Council of Women would co-operate in this, the first international conference of women to' be held in New Zealand. .'..--.- .. ■ The meeting greatly appreciated the concise, informative, and interesting reports presented by Mrs. Peryman and Mrs. Graham and a vote of thanks to the delegates brought the last meeting of "the year to a close.