COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Evening Star, Issue 18729, 3 September 1924, Page 3

COUNCIL OF WOMEN

BUSINESS SESSION. _ The Conference of the National Council of Women resumed yesterday afternoon, Mrs Carmaifc Jones presiding. SEX DISQUALIFICATION REMOVAL. Mrs Downing moved—“ That the Government bo urged to pass legislation on the lines of the British Act known as the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, and thus throw open to women the positions of justices of tho peace, women police, and women jurors.* The mover said that a measure of this sort had been repeatedly passed by the peonle’s representatives in Parliament and then thrown out by the Upper House, tho members of which belonged mostly to the Victorian period. The problem that faced the world as an aftermath of the war could not be solved by men alone or women alono, but called for tho best efforts of both sexes. Miss Runciman seconded the motion. Miss Basten (Auckland) suggested that a deputation bo sent to Mr Massey. It_ was mentioned in the coarse of discussion that tho reform now asked for was under discussion as far back as 1894. The motion was earned, and it was also resolved that a. petition ho drafted by the Dominion Executive, and that the Prime Minister be asked to receive a deputation on Thursday week. The motion thus carried emanated from Dunedin. There were similar remits from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Gisborne. It was further resolved that the council ask for the appointment of trained women patrols under the Justice Department, having the same powers and authority as the Police Force. One member thought it would he better to use the term “women policemen,” but. on a division the original term was retained by a majority of'one. maternity. Resolved, on the motion of Mrs Fraer, that the Government be congratulated on what it has already done in the interests of maternity. Mrs Cadoux'JAuckhmd) moved—“ That the National Council urges the Health Department to appoint a medical woman 'to thd'staff of every district health office.” The mover expressed the opinion that maternity homes should bo inspected by women. There were many things that the nurses would like to talk about to a woman inspector, bub would not talk about to a man inspector because he would not have the sympathy. Dr Siedeherg seconded the motion, and it was carried without dissent. MENTAL HOSPITALS. Miss England (Wellington) moved — “That the Government be urged to proceed forthwith with the provision of such additional accommodation in mental hospitals as will facilitate a better classification of patients.” A proposal to cut out tbo word “ forthwith ” was Inst on a .division, and the motion carried. It was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Miss Fasten, to reaffirm the desirability of the early establishment of farm homes for epileptic, degenerate, and feeble-minded persons, with a view to the care and tho segregation of the unlit. Mrs Roberta brought forward a, remit from Christchurch: “ That district boards, consisting of men and women, should be elected to control the mental hospitals of New Zealand,” Tho mover explained that it was not asked that tho motion ho passed, but that it should be approved, then sent to branches for consideration, and brought up again next year. The idea was that tho boards should function in the same way as hospital boards, and give the mental hospitals tho benefit of local control. It was agreed to let tho matter stand over as suggested. Mias Jamieson moved another Christchurch remit; “ That, owing to the increase of crime by mental defectives, preventive work must begin by segregation of sub-normal children, as their presence in schools interferes with the progress of ordinary classes, and, as a natural consequence of this segregation, the segregation of adult defectives must follow.”' In the course of the discussion Miss Jean Begg called attention to what the department had been doing, and said she thought the department was looking for encouragement from such bodies as this council to establish a mental hygiene department. It was agreed to have tho motion redrafted at the next sitting. Mrs Fraer moved—“ That a strict oversight should he kept of all immigrants to New Zealand, so that mental, moral, and physical defectives ho not allowed to laud in tho dominion.” Mrs Cadoux said that Auckland opposed this motion, being satisfied with the working of the present arrangements. In the course of the discussion Lady Luke said that the immigrants during tho last three months were much better than those of an earlier time. Further consideration was adjourned so as to allow of the .preparing of a resolution that would incorporate with the subject a message of congratulation to the department in respect to the work already done by way of providing for tho educating of sub-normal children.