ONE MEMBER—HERSELF.

Mataura Ensign, 27 September 1913, Page 5

ONE MEMBER—HERSELF.

A NEW SOCIFTY. A .most unusual incident occurred at the Melbourne Criminal Court the other day when a woman with a band round her bonnet boldly inscribed "Protection of C.B. Women" entered the court during the hearing of a case and took a seat in a prominent position. Air Justice Cussen ordered the woman to leave the court and adjourned the proceedings for a few minutes to consult with the Chief Justice, who was then pro-siding in the Divorce Court. On his return he said that obviously the purpose of such badges was to in-, fluenee juries. He did not purpose inflicting punishment, but desired it to be thoroughly understood that in future such an act would he treated as. contempt of court and the offender would he punished. Other people, his Honor added, might hold different or counter views regarding the protection of women, and, in any case, the business of the court could not be decently conducted if people came there to displaybadges. He directed the Crown Prosecutor to warn the woman against" a repetition of the offence, and told the officers of the, court not to admit anybody wearing any such notice. The woman left the court, hut returned later and a police constable refused to admit her. She harassed the officers who guarded the various entrances to the court, but was repulsed on every occasion. Outside the court she made it known that she was the organising secretary of the society for the protection of child-bearing women, which consisted of one member--her-self.