SHOCKING EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21161, 19 April 1932, Page 10

SHOCKING EXHIBITION.

WOMEN AND GIRLS. disgrace to dominion, LAW AND ORDER DISREGARDED. HOME LIFE AND EDUCATION. At) (he meeting of the National Co'uncil of Women held last evening the following resolution was passed:—"This branch of the National Council of Women deplores the disgraceful outbreak of lawlessness in the city last Thursday and Friday nights. It is felt, that the shocking exhibition of mob violence did not come from those who are suffering most from tlie present economic stress, but unfortunately the reaction will fall most heavily upon them. The occurrence has cast a slur upon the good name of Auckland and has brought shame to'every selfrespecting citizen. This council desires to impress upon every responsible woman in the community the sacred duty of using her utmost influence in encouraging a respect for law and order in every department. of life in the difficult times through which our country is passing." Many speakers deplored the occurrences and discussed the causes that had led to such an outbreak. Miss Carnachan said that what was so terrible was that a number of women and girls had been some of the worst offenders, and to see so many young people acting as hoodlums made her wonder what New Zealand was coming to. Was this the country, she asked, that had made such a name for itself in the past for what was good and right ? It behoved women to take a stock of themselves and of the conditions existing. There was something radically wrong with the home and home training when such things could happen. " Bring up a child in the way it should go," said IMiss Carnachan in conclusion, " and you have nothing to fear." Ashamed to be a Woman. Mrs. B. Buttle said she was thoroughly ashamed to be an Aucklander and a woman after such proceedings. It was a terrible indictment of our home life and education and it was for the women to see what measures could be taken to remedy what was wrong in both. Mrs. Dreadon said she was glad to hear that an attempt was being made to get down to causes. It had been thought that the majority of the. rioters belonged to the working classes. if inquirers could go into some of the homes thev would sec how poor they were. Many of the boys and girls in these homes had received a good primary education, but when they left school there was nothing for them to do—no work to go to. Then they hung around street corners, hotel bars, billiard saloons and went to pictures, where they saw the gangsters at work and hooliganism the centre of the story. Was it surprising that when the opportunity offered they put into practice what they had seen"' she asked. Glorification of Violence.

Mrs. Ruby Watson blamed tlio literature that was pouring into the country, which held up for admiration contempt for law and order and glorified violence. Many of the people who had been so badly hit in their businesses had been people who had helped the workers without ostentation. Women should listen to some of tlie street gatherings and hear all the things that were being advocated by the speakers. They would then realise what a menace waj allowed to go on unchecked. " Such speakers should be deported, as they have been in C anada," she said.

Another speaker blamed the educational system of the country, which had aimed at developing the intellect, but had made no provision for the emotional side of t.he children. Where the educational system was wrong there would always ho trouble. Sympathy with Business Firms. That citizens should have stood by and not helped the police was deplored by a delegate. If they had done their part, the riot on Thursday night would not have reached the dimensions it did. A resolution moved by Mrs. Ruby Watson was to tho following effect : That the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women move a vote of sympathy with the business firms in Queen Si reel and Karangahape Koad who have suffered in the riots and that it express appreciation of tlie charitable assistance, they have given to the necessitous in the past. The resolution was carried. A vote of sympathy was also passed to the members of tho police force who had been injured during tho riots and of appreciation of the services they had rendered in very trying times.

BAPTIST MINISTERS. MARRIED MEN IN CAMPS. The Baptist Ministers' Fraternal passed a resolution yesterday which will be brought to the notice of tho Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Minister in charge of Unemployment, lU. Hon. J. G. Coatcs, and the Leader of tho Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, urging that immediate consideration be given to the whole situation of married men in camps, that the anomalies connected with the hours of labour be removed, and that unemployed women receive full benefit, from the unemployment funds.