COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Evening Star, Issue 18729, 3 September 1924, Page 8

COUNCIL OF WOMEN

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. MORNING SESSION. The annual conference of tho National Council of Women was continued at the Overseas Club Rooms this morning, Mrs Carmalt Jones (national president) presiding. OWNERSHIP OF. SEA BEACHES.

The following remit was moved by Auckland:—“That the Government be approached urging that the further acquiring of private ownership of foreshores on sea beaches and lakes be disallowed, and that sea and lake foreshores should, wherever possible, bo acquired and set apart as public reserves.” Mrs Hasten said that tho matter had come forcibly before the Auckland branch. The beaches and foreshores seemed to bo a very complicated matter to handle, as there were so many authorities concerned. It'appeared as if people could do anything they liked on tho beaches without anything being done to them. They had some very fine beaches in Auckland, but in many cases private properties extended right down to tho- sea, and this resulted in great overcrowding during the summer. The remit was seconded by Miss Fordo. Sister Hannah said that during tho summer months in Auckland the beaches were alory much overcrowded owing to the fact that private ownership extended right down to high water mark, and she hoped that delegates would look at tho matter from an unselfish viewpoint. Miss Eunciman said that it was seldom that Auckland asked Dunedin to do anything, but she thought that Dunedin would do anything to assist Auckland in tho matter, though the problem did not exist hero. The remit was carried. SOCIAL WELFARE WORK.

The following recommendations were received from the Dunedin branch; —The National Council of Women urges the for mation of a small permanent Commission of public welfare, which would act as follows;—(a) Advise Cabinet by knowledge of conditions and close investigation, re subsidies requested by any social agency, Government or private; (b) act as bureau of information, and advise on special welfare questions to all social agencies and individuals; (c] by conference with directors and superintendents of existing welfare agencies, aim at closer co-operation and co-ordination in all progressive policies and legislation rc social conditions; (d) automatically appoint its representative as a member of all public Commissjons_viz., Prison Board, etc.; (c) educate public opinion by oral and printed propaganda; (f) co-operate with universities in the selection and training of specialists in welfare work and social research; (g) be informed by the Undersecretaries of all requests for appropriation within their so that any section of the appropriation intended for charitable and social purposes should receive the report of the Commission; (ID bo ready to receive information rc social conditions throughout the dominion, to investigate same, and aim to bring these conditions under the notice of the proper authorities, demanding reformtaion when needed, and framing now measures when existing laws do not meet th© situation. Mrs Jean Begg said that through tho courtesy of the Hon. Mr Parr she had been given an opportunity of studying child welfare work. Sho found a lack of co-ordination, though tho work otherwise was being carried out very well indeed, and compared very favorably with the work done in other countries. Sho paid a tribute to tho work of tho specialschools. which were always in tho van, and whose system was most up to date. Thoro were almost 5,000 children under tho caro of the Department of Special Schools. Sho referred to tho cuts that had been made in every department, but she contended that it would bo much better to make cuts ” in tho appiopnations for buildings and bridges,rather than curtail child welfare work. Surely tho Government could give its ward as good a chance as a middle-class child would get. These children should bo given a square deal She also thought that the industrial school should be done away with, and that this work should be taken away from the Education Department and placed in the 'hands of another department. She made a nlea for the establishment of a board of control comprised of representatives of private agencies and certain representatives from the various State departments. This board should be subsidised by the Government. It was urged in the meantime that a small Commission of ten or twelve, consisting of representatives from such bodies as the National Council of Women? Y.W.C.A.. Pton-ket Society, etc. She was aghast to find that tho Government was doing so much work when there were so many private agencies which were

doing such splendid work. There should be some system of subsidising private institutions, whilst there should also bo a standardising of their efforts. There should also be a community chest, which would bo administered for tho benefit of all welfare institutions. They wanted the people to do the work, though it was the privilege of the Government to subsidise the work, GAMBLING. Mrs Cadoux said that, on behalf of tho Auckland branch, she thought that the matter should bo postponed for a year-, as the subject was too big to deal with at that conference. Miss Lovell-Smith said that this was also the wish of the Christchurch branch. Tho motion was deferred to the branches for consideration, it being understood that it would be brought before the next conference. Miss Powell, on behalf of the Dunedin branch, moved the following remit: — “ That tliis conference registers its ' very strong protest against any proposal by tho Government to further increase gambling facilities, believing that such increase would bo inimical to the best interests of the dominion. It views with concern tho demand of the racing clubs to increase the totalisator permits from 288 days to 516; also betting by telegram, and the institution of tho double totalisator. It is also convinced that tho present restrictions of the Press in regard' to the publication of totalisator dividends and tho employment of tipsters should be rigidly adhered to. The National Council of Women believes gambling to be an evil which seriously affects tho highest welfare of women and children.” The mover said that she had heard of children betting in schools, whilst gambling generally was demoralising to the community. Sister Hannah seconded tho motion. Mrs Leeoh said that one of the most prominent social workers in Dunedin had told her that a good deal of the more extreme cases of poverty that had come under her notice was duo to gambling. Men were not tho only offenders, and there was evidence that many women went out to work in order to indulge in this vice. Mrs Stables said that there were other forms of gambling, such as was Indulged in by those who participated in bridge parties. She did not even say that going to races was wrong, if carried out in the right way; but the trouble was with the young people. There was also gambling going on every day on tho Stock Exchanges, where people were trying to get something for nothing. The President said that the remit only referred to gambling at races. Other forms of gambling could be dealt with at another time. The remit was carried. A NOVEL SUGGESTION.

Dunedin submitted the following remit “ The National Council of Women deems it desirable that as a deterrent to owners allowing their house property to become dilapidated the example of Wyoming State (U.S.A.) bo followed—namely, the placing on the front of the house tho owners’ names.”

Mrs Meggett moved tho remit, stating that its object was to throw the light of publicity on to the owners of disreputable premises. Mrs Fraer seconded tho remit pro forma.

Miss Runciman said that if they only knew tlie names of tho owners of some of these houses t-hev would get a shock. The President said that certain legislation would have to bo put through before the suggestion could be carried out. They could act either through the municipal authorities or go direct to Parliament. Miss Ronaldson (Timaru) suggested that the occupier of tho house should also have his_ name displayed. The discussion had not concluded at tho luncheon adjournment.