WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13153, 15 June 1903, Page 7

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

A meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Women’s Institute was held on Friday. The Minister of Education wrote acknowledging the receipt of three resolutions with reference to the care and treatment of industrial school children ; the Premier wrote with regard to the same resolutions, promising that they should receive the consideration of the Government; the Minister of Justice wrote acknowledging the receipt of a resolution urging that in'all cases, where women and children are being tried, women should serve on the jury, and that the cases should ,he heard in camera, ■and informing the Institute that its representations would have his best consideration. The Institutehad sent a representative to the St Saviour’s Guild Conference, held to consider the utterances of the judge, and of the foreman of the grand jury in connection with some recent cases of immorality, and to discuss the question of Inebriates’ Homes. Members expressed satisfaction that public opinion was becoming aroused on these questions. For ten years the women’s societies of New Zealand affiliated to the National Council had advocated Inebriates’ Homes and indeterminate sentences, and these questions had yearly been made prominent subjects at the meeting of the National Council and resolutions were forwarded to the Government. It was resolved—•“ That this Institute thanks Mr S. S. Blackbnmo for his earnest and persistent advocacy of the registration of illegitimate children in the father’s name where the parentage has been proved.” The following motion was carried:—“That a sub-committee of five members be appointed to formulate a scheme for improving the present condition of domestic service for both mistress and maid, and report at the next meeting.” It was felt that it would be a mistake to invite domestic helps to meet the Institute until something definite could be suggested. Notice of motion was given that the general meetings of the Institute should, for the remainder of the year, be held in the afternoon.