NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11555, 16 April 1898, Page 4

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

It will be seen from the programme published elsewhere that the National Council of Women intends to coyer a good deal of ground at its meeting in Wellington next week. From “ Parental Responsibility ” to ‘'Local Government Reform,” and from “ Marriage and Divorce ” to “ Abolition of Party Government,” say nothing of the score or so of subjects that lie between, will entail an amount of mental and physical labour that might well alarm" a gathering of men. But the Council has already shown an extraordinary capacity for work, and there is nothing in its present programme that is not more or less closely connected with the special province of women. The first subject, “ Parental Responsibility,’’will doubtless be treated from a purely suggestive and educative point of view. Anythingapproaching action would require the deepest thought and care, for any undue interference with the liberty of the individual might aggravate the very evils that now exist. A law forbidding the marriage of people suffei’ing from consumption, for instance, would have much to recommend it on the surface, hut it would neither prevent the birth of sickly children nor provide the unfortunate mites with the protection of lawful parentage. Then, again, there is a growing feeling in favour of removing children from the influence of bad parents, and so far it is, of course, to he commended; hut, on the other side, there is the very grave danger of enabling these people to evade their natural responsibilities. What is wanted is to raise the moral tone of the parents and to insist that they shall properly discharge their obligations to their children. The Council will be expected to make some recommendation on the painful subject of “Juvenile Depravity,” and it is not at all likely to fail in its duty. Our own idea is that the Infant Life Protection Act should he so extended as to include the care of young people vrho are brought under its provisions until they reach the age of twenty-one. It should, at any rate, be made impossible for young girls to pass from the custody of the State to the streets and disorderly houses. How this should he done is a question rather for the Legislature than for the National Council, but the women of the colony should insist that it shall be done quickly and effectually. In dealing with the treatment of criminals the Council should bear in mind that the criminal on paper and the criminal in reality are two very different persons. It is the latter the members have to consider, and they must remember that theoretical rhapsodies will neither mend his morals' nor ameliorate his condition. We shall be in full sympathy with any movement that may be designed to bring about a more humane and intelligent method of treating ourprisoners, but we cannot too strongly deprecate the importation of any sentimentality into the matter, The perennial question of marriage and divorce is sure to provoke an animated discussion in the Council;, but we have no fear that the delegates will demand anything more than the institution of absolute equality ini all the*maritai relations. This much every fair-minded man who has given any serious consideration to the subject is ready to concede, and it would be a great tactical blunder for the women, to revive any impracticable notions as to economic independence or to seek to enlarge the legal grounds for divorce. The Council may be trusted to do good and useful work. Women take a keen interest in their fellow creatures, particularly in those who are the victims of social or legal injustice, and wo specially commend to the notice and thoughtful consideration of their representatives our helpless waifs and strays, our unfortunate girls, and our hapless outcasts of society.