The Lyttelton Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1897. THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11226, 25 March 1897, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1897. THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Mrs Sheppard made it perfectly clear in her opening address to the National Council of "Women of New Zealand yesterday afternoon that she had no sympathy with the idea that women should only take an interest in public questions directly affecting themselves. Humanity, as she well said, is more than sex; and in the economic field, where some people fear ill-feeling owing to woman’s competition, she plainly recognises the truth that the interests of the sexes are identical. All matters of social reform are of equal importance to men and women, and we are glad to see that such questions as temperance, parental responsibility and the treatment of criminals are to engage the attention of the Council. On matters of this kind the keen sympathies, correct intuitions and high impulses of women may exercise a great influence in the right direction, and we look forward to good results from the deliberations of the Council, in the way of awakening, informing and directing public opinion. We regret that in her preliminary remarks Mrs Sheppard should have thought it necessary to contradict a statement made in this column to the effect that a disagreement had arisen among the women’s associations of the colony, and that in consequence some districts would not be represented. That we did not make this statement “ without warrant” will be apparent when we remind the public that an Auckland telegram last week stated that the Women’s Liberal League in the northern city had resolved to protest against the removal of the Convention to Christchurch, and “ declined to send a delegate in consequence,” an action which, the message added, was endorsed by a deputation from the Women’s Democratic Union. Furthermore, the Otago Daily Times of two days ago stated, in referring to the Convention, that it was “ somewhat doubtful if Dunedin will be represented on the present occasion.” We are pleased to learn that the Auckland breach has been healed, and that Dunedin has sent representatives; but on Mrs Sheppard’s own showing there is still some want of sympathy on the part of one or two women’s associations. She stated that the Southern Cross Society of Wellington was unrepresented at the Convention, and admitted that the local women’s branch of the National Association had withdrawn its-delegates from the Convention. We refer to this matter to set ourselves right, and to disclaim any intention of either misstating facts or attempting to arouse ill-feeling. We sincerely hope that the absence of the Nationalist and Southern Cross delegates'is not a sign of the beginning of disintegration, owing to party considerations being allowed to have greater . sway than the general well-being of society. As we have said before, it would be an unfortunate thing for the women electors of New Zealand if they were dragged the tail of any political party, and we earnestly trust that the National Council will maintain its representative character and its strict neutrality. Mrs Sheppard’s references to the differences that have arisen were in the best temper and taste, and were marked by that wise reticence which conduces to conciliation, and we echo her wish that reunion may speedily be accomplished.