WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10407, 3 April 1897, Page 4

WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— JRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Christchukoh, Friday. At the Women's Council this afternoon it was explained that the ladies who had voted against the resolutions in favour of arbitration had only opposed tbe clause proposing geueial disarmament.

Mrs. Sievwright moved, "That) the mother should be able, equally with the father, to appoint: a guardian Do act with the surviving parent with regard to the property of the childpen, but neither parents should be able to deprive the other of his or her children unless the Court shall bo satisfied that the surviving parent is incapable of undertaking such guardianship." Mrs. May seconded the which was carried unanimously. The following resolutions were aIH carried unanimously : —Moved by Mrs. Sievwright, seconded by Mrs. Daldy, " That tbo conditions of divorce for men and women should be equalised;" moved by Mrs. Bullock, seconded by Mrs. Sievwright, "That the domestic servants' half-holiday should be made universal by legislative enactment." In the evening Mrs. Williamson read a paper on the moral and social aspects of temperance. Mr;. Sheppard moved "Thai this Council considers that morally, scientifically, and economically tbe consumption of alcoholic liquors is inimical to the beat interests of the country." The motion was carried unanimously. It was decided to register the Council under the Unclassified Societies Act; also to request affiliated societies to send, early in the first quarter of the year, a list of subjects for discussion at the annual conference ; that during tne second quarter a selection from the lisb be made by the executive, and returned for consideration to the affiliated societies six ,months' before the annual meeting. Officers were elected as follows:—President, Mrs. Sheppard; vice-presidents, Mesdames Sievwright, Hatton, Daldy, andTasker; hon. secretary, Airs. Wells; hon. treasurer, Mrs. Kirkby. It was decided "that it is nscessarj children should be scientifically instructed in the use and abuse of alcohol, and thai the Education Department be requested t< use text books on the subject as reading books in the schools," also " that industrial homes should be established."

The Council has now closed.