WOMEN AND CHILDREN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7268, 26 October 1910, Page 5

WOMEN AND CHILDREN

SOCIETY FOE THEIE I’KOTECTIOX. FEX’OET TO TXIXETEEXTII AXXCAL MEETXXG. Tho thirteenth annual meeting of the Society for tho Protection of Women ajid Children was lield last evening nt tho Town Hall. Hr J. G. W. Aitkon pro- ; siding. There were about twenty memoois present. Apologies were t?ent by the Bishop of Wellington, the Rev, i. H. Sprott, the Rev. W, A. Evans and 'Mi's Evans. and Hr Agnes Bennett. The chairman praised the work the society was doing, saying it was much belter work than wen's societies could do. ANNUAL REPORT. Since tho inception of tho society 811 cases have been dealt with, «3 cf them being new ca.->es during the. year unc.cr review. They were as hollow: Maintenance of wile 7, of father and mother I, oJ mollior 3, of sister 1, of children 3, of illegitimate children 10, neglect and ill-treatment of cliildron 2, neglect <» ill-lreacment of wife 3, separation and maintenance 3, nursing home arranged 2, destitution -1, children removed from bad homos 2, undesirable surroundings remedied 1, situation found 1, uncontrollable girls 4, homes hound 2, home offered 1, information sought 1, inquiries for sons 2, inquiries ro homes 5, advice t In addition to these many oases previously on the books had received attention and advice, and help ,°f various kinds had been given by dill’eTeiit members ol the com mi (tec in cases that did not fall within the scope of the society's programme. Th'e honorary solicitors had bc-ei consulted in eighteen cases. Of these fifteen had been settled out of court and three in court in favour of the society. In extending thanks to various institutions for assistance during the year special mention was made of tho Dorcas Society of the Ladies' Christian Association, which had given most generous help in cases of severe destitution. The ready help of tho Inspector and Sub-Inspector cf Police was recognised, also Hue assists aucc of the press and others for their practical sympathy. One matter' which the society is keenly urging is an amendment of the law respecting the guardianship of children. It desires it to bo made inypoesibl© for a man without good cause to remove his children from their mother's care without her’ consent, or to leave them on his death in the joint guardianship of a person to whom she objects. Neither should, it bo possible for tho father to dictate in his will the religion in which tho children shall be brought up, without reference to their mother's wishes. The r’eport was adopted without discussion. THE OFFICERS. The position of patroness of tho society has been accepted by her’ Excellency Lady Islington. The now committee for the ensuing rear is as follows:—President, Mrs A. R. Atkinson; vice-presi-dents, Mrs W. A. Evans, M.A., and Mrs C. Izard; hon. treasurer, Mrs J. Kitkoaldie; general committee, Lady Stout, Mesdanies 13. Nathan, Hoby, T. C. Williams, Wallis, C. Izard, J. R. Glaeson, McGavin, Gordon, Ppntonby, Corrigan, Rea”. Mother Mary Joseph Aubext, Dr Platts-Mdlls, Brigadier Glover, Misses Holmes. Coates and ,E. B. Brown, and Nurse Hoi gate, Mrs AA 7 . IL AVard, Mrs H. Gilmer, Ma-s Knox Gilmer; trustees, Messrs J. G. A\ r . Ait Icon, , 11. D. Bell, J. R._ Blair, E. Tregcar, and Rev. AA r . A. Evans; hon. solicitors, Messrs A. R. Atkinson, H. D. Bell, C. H. Izard, J. Logan Stout. 11. Cooper (Palmerston North), Field, Hislop, Myers, Morison, Tanner, Young, AA 7 ebb, and G. Lloyd (Daunevirke); hon. physicians, Dr E. Platts-Mills, , Dr Agnes Bennett,. Dr Elizabeth Gunn, and Dr Mackenzie; secretary, Mrs AV. A. Waters. DISCUSSION. In moving tho election of Mrs R. A. Atkinson as president. Di 1 Plaite-Mills delivered some interesting remarks (imported in another column) on the duty of parents. OTHER ADDRESSES. ■ ,: Tho Rev. Kennedy Elliott testified to his personal knowledge of the need for such a society. There was no doubt thci’o were some husbands and fathers who were abominably bad. The society was doing splendid work and was deserving of the highest praise and support. Mr A. R. Atkimson was sorry the Destitute Persons Bill now. before the House of Representatives had hot been mention-' ed in the report. He considered it was one of the most admirable Bills now before tho House. The Bill largely and closely concerned the work cf the society, which was under considerable debt to the Attorney-General for bringing in such a pr’opo'soJ. It would very greatly facilitate the work of the society in the future if it reached the statute-book. He outlined the provisions of the Bill, and testified from his personal experience as a solicitor that it dealt effectively with imperfections in existing legislation.