CANTERBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16518, 6 April 1914, Page 11

CANTERBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

SATURDAY’S MEETING. The Canterbury Women’s Institute met on Saturday afternoon in the National Peace Council rooms, Dominion Buildings, Mrs Wells presiding. The president referred to the munificent gift of recreation land bestowed on the people of Christchurch by the Deans family and the secretary was asked to write expressing the warmest thank 3 of the members of the Institute to the donors. Correspondence in answer to communications urging that all religious and philanthropic homes should 1 e open to Government inspection was received from the Prime Minister ami Messrs Davey, Witty and M’Combs, M.P.’s.

The Prime Minister and the Education Department wrote acknowledging the Institute’s protest against overcrowding in schools and against tho proposal to introduce denominationalism into the State schools. General Godley in reply to a communication from the Institute affirming that discrimination was made by the military authorities in the prosecution of lads under tho Defence Act, stated that, “ in Christchurch only one or two companies are taken each week in turn in. order to avoid congestion in the Court business.” He said lie would be “ grateful for the assistance of the Canterbury Women’s Institute in discovering the names of any persons, who being defaulters, are not being prosecuted.” The secretary was instructed to any that it was not the province of the Canterbury Women’s Institute to bring lads to book for disregarding a law of which it- so heartily disapproves. The proposal of the Minister of Defence to provide conscientious objectors with “alternative service” was discussed, and the following resolution, to be forwarded to the Minister and others was passed:—“That tho Canterbury Women’s Institute is opposed to the principle, of compulsory military training not merely because of the immediate hardships, injustice, or wrong done to the voteless youths called upon to train, but far more because of the inherent iniquity of the system which lends itself to‘all those abuses following in the train of compulsory militarism in Europe culminating in the triumph of military autocracy over free democratic institutions. Because of these malevolent practices and tendencies of the conscript system however mild it may be in its inception, the Institute opposes the institution of anything in the nature of a palliative such as the. Minister cf Defence hopes may he discovered in a scheme of alternative service for those who have conscientious, objections to compulsory military service. The Institute affirms that to accept alternative service in any form would be an acknowledgment that to refrain from compulsory military training is an evasion of the citizen’s primary duty. Some of the proposals made, by the recent Medical Congress were discussed, and the following resolutions to bo forwarded to tho Minister of Health, the secretary cf the Medical Congress, the Hospital authorities, and Dr Fenwick were passed:—(l). “That this Institute expresses its satisfaction with the decision of tho . Christchurch Hospital Board to make provision for inexpensive and easily accessible medical treatment, without registration or publicity for all sufferers from syphilis. The Institute also declares that any attempt to legalise the social evil by regulation will be strenuously opposed. The regulation system is condemned as being wrong in principle and a failure in practice. Regulation increases vice and fails to reduce disease; it tends to corrupt the young and to demoralise the police charged with its administration.” (2) “That a vote of thanks should he accorded to Dr Fenwick for his action in moving the Hospital Board to adopt measures for the relief of sufferers from syphilis.” (3) “ That this Institute emphatically protests against any suggestion that there should be compulsory detention of women in these cases.” , , The need for constant watchfulness on behalf of the welfare of the children attending public schools, was again considered, and the following resolution was passed: “The Canterbury Women’s Institute trusts that, women will offer themselves for election on school committees, as the health ox the children is of first importance in the school, as it is in the home. Women are urged to demand (l).that ample cubical space for every child in every room should he provided: (2) that single desks for the use of every child should he supplied: (3) that proper warming, ventilation and lighting of all rooms should be assured ; (4) that floors, walls and furniture of schoolrooms should be constantly and thoroughly cleansed; (o) that playgrounds should be suitably adapted for summer and winter recreation; (6) that appropriate wall decorations should he provided; (7) that practical means for . securing the bodily comfort of every child should be urged, and that to this end the provision of a midday meal, warm baths and the appointment of nurse-teachers are essential; (8) that sports and recreation teachers should be appointed to supervise the children’s play; (9) that assistance should be given to teachers when introducing- new and more enlightened methods of education; (10) that ample financial support should be granted by tho State for its primary duty of tho education of tlm children.