PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5734, 1 November 1905, Page 6

PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING. The eighth annual meeting of tho Society lor tho Protection of women and Children was held last evening in one of tho lower committee rooms of the town Hall, There was a largo attendanco of ladies The chair was taken by ntr H. D. 8011, and amongst tho gentlemen present were the Revs J. K. Elliott and ,f. Paterson. Messrs J. G. W. Aitken, M.H.K., and A. It. Atkinson. Mrs A. ft. Atkinson, the president of the society, moved the adoption of the tociety’s report and balance-sheet, the particulars of which have already been published in our columns.

Ur Agnes Bennett seconded the motion, and spoke in feeling terras of the distressful condition of ninny women in this community. She had not as vet learned a great deal of the laws of the colony, hut she was glad to know that many Magistrates had strongly approved of “Children’s Courts,” and when the trend of public opinion was in this direction aho thought and hoped it would not be long ero this system would become tho statute law of tho colony. Within tho past two or three months "Children's Courts” had become a regular institution in New South Wales, and it should bo the case here, and the women of such a society as this could do much in that direction. (Hear, hear.) If steps in this direction were not taken, tho doctor feared that the Australian States would soon bo loading New Zealand in a very important matter. Another question requiring attention was tho provision of homes for imbeciles. In n colony like New Zealand sue was sure there must be room for a homo of this kind. (Hear, hear.) Mr J. G. W. A liken, M.H.E., supported the motion. He thought it was to be regretted that the necessity existed for a society for tho protection of women and children; but plain facts told them there was snch a -necessity, and although tho record for the- past year was by no means a bad one, ho thought that possibly tho existence of the society acted ns a valuable deterrent. Tho sum of .£2OO had been placed upon the Supplementary Estimates for tho assistance of such ' societies, wind after several inquiries ho had been informed in Parliament that that amount was to bo divisible throughout the colony, lie trusted tlic society would get a fair share of this sura. (Hear, hear,)

Miss M. Richmond also supported the motion. She said such a society, which hod for its object tho protection of women and children, merited the support of every woman. The aim of the society was to aid those who wore helpless, anil this was a work deserving of every encouragement. She was now endeavouring to inaugurate a scheme for the instruction of very young—a kindergarten for the infants who could not come within tho control of our admirable national school system. (Applause.) The motion was carried unanimously. Apologies for non-attendance were read fr nu his Excellency the Governor, tho Mayor of Wellington, Bishop Wallis, Di Chappie, Dr Adams, anti the Rev P. W. Isitt. Dr Chappie, in his letter ol apology, suggested that a medical inspecter should bo appointed to the schools, whoso duty should not only include the inspection of tho children but also tho instruction of the teachers in regard to tho needful treatment of children. .(Hoar, hear.)

Tha Eov. J, K. lilliott moved that the

officers for the ensuing year should he President, Mrs A. U. Atkinson; vicepresidents. Mrs Kirkcaldie and Mrs IV . Fell; lion, treasurer, Mn> M. 1‘ • Darvall; committee, Ladv Smut, McMames Evans, I). Nathan Lukin. ffohy, Kirkcaldie, Mackenzie, T. C. Williams, Wallin, C. Iz-cud li. Ilrown. Dr Riatts-Mllls, Adjt. Young, Miss Oates. Nurses Walton and Kol-atf Imstow. Messrs J. 0. IV. Ait-kr-n, M.U.R.. H. D. 13**11, J. R. Blair, E. Trcgour, and Rev W. A. Evans; lion, solicitor**, Messrs A. R. Atkinson. 11. D. Bell, 0. it. Izard. 11. Cooper (Palmer©ton Norln* Field. Ilislop, Myers, Morrison, Tanner, Young, Dr Findlay. T. J. Joynt (Chriftlchurcli'i. and G. Floyd (Dannevirke); lion, phvsicians. Dr IL Biatt©Mills, Dr Agnes Bonnott, Dr Chappie, and Dr Mackenzie; secretary, Mrs W. A. VV ' a t c r s.—C arr i ed. Votes of thanks to the retiring officers ami to the chairman concluded the proceedings.