PROTECTION OF WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 11

PROTECTION OF WOMEN

THE ANNUAL MEETING A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The annual meeting of the Society foi tha Protection of Women and Children was held last night, when Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., Mayor of Wellington, presided over a . good attendance. The adoption of the annual report was moved bv Mrs Sprott. the president, who referred with pleasure to the work or the past year. The speaker made sympathetic reference to the illness of Lady Stout and ex-Commissioner O'Donovan, and to the absence of Sir'Robert Stout and other supporters of tho society. She was convinced that there was much room for expansion in the work, »i.d hoped that the society would receive still more support. Reference was also made to the work of members of the committee, and Mrs Sprott said she hoped that an n&sisistant-secrctary would be aprointed to assist Mrs Waters, their valued secretary. MAYOR'S CONGRATULATIONS. The Mayor said he had perused the financial statement carefully, and congratulated the society on its sound financial position. He wished it all success in its future work.. With additional finance the society would undoubtedly progress still more* and would be a power for good in the community. Mr Wright said there wore still many problems to bqsettled, including the difficulty of the man who ran away and refused to support his family, also the man who stayed at home and would not support his dependents. There were similar problems. He had no time for the man who deliberately evaded his responsibilities These men should be sent to gaol and made to support their wives and families. Mrs Chatfleld made a strong appeal for the raising of the age of consent by at least two years, and said this could never be achieved unless the men of New Zealand stood side by side with tho women and supported their demand. Lady Chapman made sympathetic reference to the wovk of Mrs Sprott as president. and had much pleasure in moving that she should be re-elected. This was unanimously agreed to. Dr x Ada Paterson spoke of the improved hygienic conditions regarding housing in this country, which she declared wan so essential if we were to have a happy, contented, and healthy people. OTHER SPEAKERS.

The Hon. Dr Newman, M.L.C., regretted that women were not eligible for election to the Upper House, and hoped that this disability would be removed in time. He spoke appreciatively of the work of the society, and wished it all success.

A tribute to the work of the society was paid by Mr P. Fraser, M.P., who also made special reference to the housing question, which was so necessary for the good of the community. He said that separate homes with gardens for every family were essential. The Government should be urged to do something in this connection. He could not see why women should not be eligible as justices of the peace. It was a great surprise to him to know this proposal hact been rejected, but he hoped that next session it would be passed by the House. But he was convinced that housing was one of the most important matters, and hoped that it would not be lost sight of. The Rev. Dr J. K. Elliott also spoke in appreciative terms of the work of the society, and said he much regretted tfhe absence of Lady Stout and Sir Robert Stout, who were excellent citizens, and were intense humanitarians.

Mr G. Mitchell, chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, paid a tribute to the work of the society, and congratulated it on its splendid efforts. He also referred to housing conditions, and said home life was the foundation of the British nation. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

An election of officers resulted: —Pationess, Her Excellency Viscountess Jellicoo; president, Mrs T. H. Sprott; vicepresidents, Lady Stout, Mrs AV. A. Evans, M.A., Lady Chapman, and Mrs Line; treasurer, Mr 6 J. Kirkcaldie; committee, Lady Luke. Lady MoGavin, Mesdames J. .R. Glasson, W. F. "Ward, Poneonbl, Qjover, Chatfield, W. M'acarfchyReid. J. C. Webb, K. M. Hoare. C. H. Izard, R. A. Wright, Mother Joseph Aubert, Dr Platts-Mills, Messrs Coates, Stow•ajitj Tedfer, Plarlane, Newmlan, C. E. Kirk, and Dr Ada Paterson; secretary, Mrs L. Waters; trustees, Sir Francis Bell, Messrs A. R. Atkinson, A. Hoby, E. Trer gear, and C. E. Finch; hon. solicitors, Messrs A. R. Atkinson, Sir Franci® Bell, C. H. Izard, S. Smith, H. Cooper (Palmerston North), Field. T. C. A. Hislop, Myers, Webb, J. F. B. Stevenson, J. Lloyd (Dannevirke), Innis McGregor, O E. Stout (Whangarei), R. Fell (Nelson), A. de la Mare (Hamilton), W. G. Wood (Napier), H. H. Cornish, A. Blair, B *Egley, R. Kennedy, and Miss Lyra Taplor; hon. physicians, Dr E. PlattsMills. Dr Agnes Bennett, D, Ada Paterson, Dr D. Stout, Dr R. Stout, Dr Young, and Dr Campbell-Begg.