WAR REGULATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17206, 28 June 1916, Page 8

WAR REGULATIONS.

PROVISIONS DISCUSSED BY WOMEN’S SOCIETIES. [Per Press Association.] / WELLINGTON, June 27. A meeting of various women’s societies of Wellington to-day discussed the provisions in the War Regulations Bill empowering the Governor to make regulations for the suppression of prostitution and treatment of venereal diseases, also for the regulation of the sale of intoxicating liquor to women. The meeting unanimously carried resolution protesting against those powers being cou.erred on the Governor, and suggested that such provisions should be openly moved and discussed in Parliament, and then submitted to representatives of women’s societies. The meeting further resolved to appeal to Parliament to provide without ueia.v for free hospital and dispensary treatment of all suffering from these diseases, who present themselves voluntarily for treatment, and to inaugur , campaign of preventive education. The meeting further expressed indignation at the proposal to give the Governor power to regulate the sale of liquor to women, and called on the Government in the interests of national economy and efficiency to regulate the sale to men and women alike by legislating immediately for six o’clock closing of hotel liars. _ l>r' Platts Mills pointed to the failure 1 the war regulations devised in India to (leal with diseases. The result had been to condemn many women to unspeakable miseries. The women of New Zealand must protest strongly against any form of regulated vice, and thus free women from tlio ignominy of such regulations. They had thought the old abuses bad been got rid of for. all time, but this measure looked like an attempt to revive them in the subtlest manner. Women must demand a voice in propositions that meant so much to them and their children.