COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20392, 22 October 1929, Page 17

COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

ELSIE WALKER PETITION.

Tho monthly meeting of tho Auckland branch of tho Nation-il Council of Women was held last evening, and was presided over by Miss Cnrnachan, president. .Miss Rishworth, representing tho Autkland Methodist Women's Auxiliary, which is affiliating with the council, was welcomed to tlio meoting. In regard to tho petition asking for amending legislation to tho Coroners Act and for a fresh inquiry to ho nindo into tho death of Elsie Walker, Miss Cnrnachan stated that tho petition was in circulation and was meoting with a most encouraging response. Peoplo had said that this was what, they had been waiting for, and woro coming' forward without being asked to sign. RoLrring to tho bill which Mr. Macmillan, member for Tauranga, had introduced, Miss Carnachan stated that they had wired to lum asking that it be held back till the 30th, by which time they hoped to have tho petition ready. Their objective was 15,000 signatures. Volunteers to assist with a stroet signature day on Friday were taken, and also for taking them at the meeting to be held on Wednesday night. Urgent representations were made to the council, per medium of a letter, asking that it make what protest was possible against the proposed disposal of tho Prime Minister's residence in Tinakori Road in Wellington The writer pointed out that tho prestige of New Zealand demanded that there should be a suitable place in which distinguished visitors could be entertained by tho Prime Minister, irrespective of the party which he headed. The present place had been the home of New Zealand's Prime Ministers for about 60 years, and the traditions that had gathered around it made its preservation very desirable. In this regard the following resolution was passed:—" That the National.Council of Women views with extreme concern the avowed intention of tho Government to divide and dispose of the Prime Minister's residence in Tinakori Road, and asks that immediate action bo taken to urge upon the Government the importance of preserving this historic residence for the Dominion."

Another resolution passed by tho meeting was as follows:—"This meeting of tho Auckland branch of the National Council of Women records its protest against the granting of a licence for a brewery near Otahuhu without affording residents any opportunity to lodge objections. It is of tho opinion that this brewery will menace tho safety of all persons using the main highway from Auckland, and urges the Government to immediately revoke the licence and to take steps to prevent any similar occurrence."