WOMEN'S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LEAGUE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 15

WOMEN'S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LEAGUE.

A meeting of the Women's Social and Political League was held in the Exchange Buildings on Monday, when tho Hon J. Carroll delivered a lecture on "Woman's Influence on Politics."

The chair was occupied by Mrs R. J. Seddon (president), and there was a crowded attendance. The Hon Mr Carroll said he had intended to deliver an address on Native afl'iii'.s, but as the subject was a large one he found he had noL u.i.e at his disposal i., deal willi so impoilaut a question, lie congratulated the women of tho Colony on having obtained their (doctoral rights, and ho was pleased to see that they appreciated tho privileges by tho capacity they displayed in utilising them. Ho was ono of those who had great doubts of the advisableness of admitting women within the sphere of polities, as he had considered they were better adapted for the domestic circle. Tho last, election, however, had removed all doubts from his mind as to woman's lilness to deal with matters political. Ho did not think it was manly to pick out the weak spots of women in respect to their ability to deal wich public affairs, and hold them tip to ridicule. Men should guide and assist women in solving the large and important questions of the day. There were two forces in politics—the Tory and the Liberal, and Liberalism, he contended, was the true side of politics for women to endorse. There wero many public positions in which the assistance of women would be very valuable indeed. Women would be vory useful in connection with hospital and charitable aid boards. They might assist considerably in the sanitation of tho city, by Raiding _in removing those environments which were productive of disease. There were many persons who wero ahead of true Liberalism state of things which

often arose from an over-zealousness and want of judgment. He did not believe that women would ever bo as extreme a 3 men, for they would bo more deliberative and cautious. He advised them to sink trifling differences, _ and keep only the main principles in view. It was necessary that men who aspired to public positions should have certificates of character, and as women had a good deal of discrimination their influenco was bound to be felt in the choice of candidates. Ho had been more than surprised since the women got the franchise at the excellent manner in which they had undertaken the duties devolving upon them. Mr Carroll answered several questions, after which ho was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and a vote of thanks to Sirs Seddon for presiding brought the proceedings to a close.

A REPLY TO THE NEW ZEALAND NATIVES' ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the League held previously to the open meeting it was decided to send the following letter to Mr A. 11. Logan, in regard to the formation of a New Zealand Natives' Association : Sir,—l am directod by the League to thank you for your invitation to our president to be present on tho platform at the proposed public meeting to form a Now Zealand Natives' Association. After duly considering the matter the League has decided that it would not bo advisable to bo officially represented on that occasion, because in our opinion such an association would by its exclusivenoss tend to defeat the very purpose for which it is ostensibly proposed to be founded, that is, tho welfare of the whole Colony. There are thousands of men and women who have tho interests of tho Colony just as much at hoartas tho colonial born population, and who would not bo able to join, if we are to bo guided by what has appeared in public prints and coming from tho promoter of the Association. Wo do not understand why tho parents with worldly exporienco should bo exclude!, unless it is intended to make tho Society purely an educational institution, on which point your platform is not sufficiently clear. It was also considered probablo that there may be a connection between tho formation of this Association and tho general election, and our belief in this is strengthened by tho fact that when the election draws near associations, conventions, societies, &c, are formed with all sorts of patriotic and high-sounding names. Most of these organisations as a rulo become simply election machines, and instead of doing any good moroly confuse the issues. Yours faithfully, R. A. Schoch, lion, secretary.

Mr Prouse, the popular baritone, has just returned from tho South after a very successfill concert tour(Christchurch and Ashburton) with the Trebelli Company. We understand the management have engaged him for their Dunedin and seasons. Tins will probably be followed by an engagement to sing throughout their whole Australian tour. Mr Prouso leaves to-day for Dunedin by tho Tainui. We congratulate him and tho company on his engagement. Organisers of entertainments should take noto that they can got programmes or tickets printed in a better stylo and with more despatch at tho Times Oilice than in any other place in Wellington.