WOMEN CONFER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 September 1924, Page 5

WOMEN CONFER.

CARE' OF INFANTS. ABSCONDING HUSBANDS. (by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, Sept. 3. The following motions were adopted at the conference of the National Council of Women to-day: That the council deplores the system of competitive examinations as tests of secondary education except in mending cases or for students going on /to university. That the council resist any attempt to introduce compulsory domestic and care of infants training for girls only into primary schools. • That prisoners committed to gaol for short terms for non-payment of maintenance be paid wages, such wages to be handed over to their dependents. That greater determination should be shown by officers of the law in tracing and arresting absconding husbands, as at present the .maintenance of deserted wives and families constituted a heavy burden on the State. That while congratulating the Department of Education on the work already begun in connection with the education of sub-normal children, the conference urges the department to pioceed with the establishment of 'special classes for sub-normal children as rapidly as possible. Such procedure, being in the best interests of normal c ™ r€n ! would ensure for sub-normal children a chance of developing, along lines suitable to their mentality and the beginning of preventive work, which would in time give rich returns.