CANTERBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12427, 16 February 1901, Page 2

CANTERBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

The annual -meeting of the Canterbury Women’s InsDiture was held yesterday afternoon at-the Metaphysical C-’.ubs rooms. Before beginning the ordinary business, the ple-sident, Mrs Black, moved—“ That the Canterbury Women's desires to place on record its sorrow at the death o-t the Queen, and its deep -appreciation o, her many excellent qualities, both as a sovereign" and a woman." The motion was passed in. silence. Mrs Black then read her presidential address, which was to the following effect: The eighth anniversary of the Institute brings ns -to the beginning of a new century, whose dawn, has been already clouded bv 'the heart-breaking boirors of war and by a, great national bereavement. As women, it is .•with deep gratitude we acknowledge the debt we owe to” our late be-cnec Qneent. From, every quarter of ihe Avalpire testimony is borne not only to- ei sterling qualities as wife, mother and friend, but also to her abilities as a_stateswoman and. ruler. By her life she has demonstrated that devoted attention to public duties is not incompatible with tlie fulfilment of duties to husband, children and home. The large majority of our lay - makers has not yet recognised the ’’‘glat of the woman as an individual. Sex disability, which, seems.to be the -staple argument brought to hear.-against womans complete enfranchisement, is, after all, one which is equally .applicable to cither sex, for each is the-' complement of the other and sex disability. in man exists as 'veil as sex disability, in ' woman. Humamtv is the concern of-'both male and female, and in the last resort no question can be considered apart from'its interest to humani-tv . Woman's influence has already made itselt felt in our polities, for since she has taken a. more active part -in public affairs, social questions have, received greater consideration. Equal divorce laws, -and old age p>*n-> sions, have' been already obtained, while other reforms dealing with improvements in our industrial school system, continuation of education, public health and morality are being earnestly ecii-dderel, and militarism ond'H* accompanying evils, on the subject of which the Premier has wifely spoken with no uncertain voice, have also been strenuously opposed by most thinking women among us. let much work -lies before us. * The retention .of the C.D. Act on the Statute Books attests to .the still prevalent belief in a double code of morals for tlie sexes. Though the Statute is n dead -letter, so long as it remains it implies a perversion of morality in public drought. Attention has lately been drawn in, Christ chinch to the necessity of putting into operation some legislation to supersede these Acts, and. proposals were made 'which really amounted to introducing them in another form. Bub the suffering and disease which arise from the transgression of moral laws cannot be controlled be arbitrary regulations. Closely linked w.tli this question of morals is our present economic svide-ni. It is due to every child among us that he shall receive such training as shall fit him for life’s duties, but sire.-;--, of life in some cases makes it difficult ■Tor some to- fulfil their parental obligations. The remedy seems largely to be in au improved system of education, which will consider domestic-and technical training .an essential. Many a- child would then bring order into a- disorderly home. Not. entirely remote from the consideration- of this subject is -the question of the financial position of many, married women, who are forced into false and uncongenial relations bv reason of their dependent monetary positions. As a further aid to. reform, we trust, that the newly-organised Burgesses’ Association- may he productive of improvement- in municipal matters. T have referred to the sorrowful opening of. the century, but as its .sun dlimbs higher we. believe that -a- new era of higher thought owl purer laws will be horn. Old ideas of Government must give place to newer and better ones. We I rust'that the democracy of ihe Mure will be one which will make for the development of each individual in the organism of the State, and. for a. fuller re-_ cognition of the brotherhood. of man. which must hasten the time wb°n war shall cease and peaceful, methods will -settle our international disputes. But to bring about this consummation, so greatly to he desired, we bdieve that woman must take her place- in all the councils and in “all the tangled business of the world.’’ The Secretary then read a summary of the- work clone by the Institute during the year. : The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Amur! Court tv Council expressing a hope that it- would nominate Mrs Wells lor the seat on the Hospital Board, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Acton-Adams.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing vear:—President. Miss Hookluun ; vice-presidents Mesdatr.es S, Page, L. Blake, Hen-flei'son and, Isherwood; secretary,' Airs Ross; assistant-secretary,- Mrs Isherwood ; treasurer, Mrs Williams, committee, Mesdames Smith, Hookham, Black, Wells, Fletcher, Jnkins, Sheppard, Simpsou, Atkinson, and Wallace.