WOMEN'S REFORM LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15650, 2 July 1914, Page 4

WOMEN'S REFORM LEAGUE.

WORK IN THE PROVINCE. Tin; annual meeting of the Auckland Women's Political Reform League was held yesterday in the Chamber of Commerce buildings. There was an attendance of nearly 100 members. Mrs. J. P. Campbell presided,„and the proceedings through, out were marked by great enthusiasm. Mrs. S. Girling-Ross (hon. secretary) read the annual report, a resume of which has beerv published. On the motion of the honorary' organisor (Mrs. N. Von Sturmer), the report was adopted.

Mrs. Vor. Sturmer said the members of the league were doing their best to return the Reform Party to power at the coming elections.' They recognised that the Massey Government was advancing the true interests of the State and improving the conditions of life throughout tta Dominion. She mentioned that the women who could vote in New Zealand were in tho majority, as compared with thevmen, and the women intended to exercise their privileges, and to use their vctes intelligently by returning to Parliament men of clean reputation and ability. It was very patent that the Opposition Party, under Sir Joseph Ward, had allied itself with the Labour Federation. It was noticeable that where Social Democrats were announced as candidates for certain districts, tho Op-post-ion Party was not putting forward candidates of its own. From this the only cor elusion to be drawn was that there was an alliance between the Opposition and the. Social Democrats. It was therefore necessary for women, in their own interests, to see that the Reform Party was again returned to power.

Referring to the growth -of the Women's Reform League, Mrs. Von Sturmer said that occasion had to bo taken to enlarge tho executive, which now comprised tho following President, Mrs. J. P. Campbell ; vice-presidents, Mesdames G. Bloomfield and Von Sturmer; lioiioi ary organiser Mrs. Von Sturmer; lion, secretary, Mrfi! A. Girling-Ross; committee, Mesdames Raker, Bedford, R. A. - Carr, P,dger, Ernest, Hayhow, Mclndoo, Iverr-f'aylcr, and Rutherford, Misses Foote, Roskruge,' and Wingate,

Several matters were then discussed, including tho questioiiTof railway fares. On the motion of Miss Rosewarno, seconded by Mrs. Bodle, it was resolved to urge upon the Minister for Railways the necessity for cheap fares on the railways or. all holidays. The question of cheaper fares for children 071 the railways was also discussed, and it was resolved to leavo this matter to tho executive.

After the formal business had concluded, the honorary organiser (Mrs. Von Sturmer) was the recipient of a presentation as a mark of appreciation of the excellent work sho had accomplished on behalf of tho league. _ Tho president of tho men's branch of the Reform League (Mr. J. P. Campbell) made the presentation. After Mrs. Von Sturmer had briefly returned thanks, telegrams from the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey), the Hon. J. Allen (Minister for Finance), and the Hon. W. H. Herries (Minister for Railways), wers received, all expressing appreciation of tho honorary organiser's services.