NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11398, 15 April 1899, Page 5

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

(Per United Phess Association.)

AUCKLAND, April 14.

At the: afternoon .session of the National Council of Women, Mrs Williamson moved, and Mrs Wells seconded, the following motion: —"That this council views with dissatisfaction the manifest ineificiency of tho New Zealand Parliament as an instrument for obtaining beneficial legislation or administration." The motion was strongly supported and carried, with four dissentients only.

Sirs Wells moved, and Mrs Sievwright seconded, the following resolution, which was carried by a large majority:—"That this council is of opinion that in order to effect any real improvement in parliamentary methods the House of Representatives should elect the members of the Cabinet, who shitll thus be made individually and directly responsible, and removable by the lltixxix. The council is further of opinionthat eacli member of the House should.be free to act according to the wishes of his constituents or the dictates of his conscience, and not be a mere slave of jiarty." At the evening session Mrs Sheppard, of Christchurch, read a paper on " Economic •Independence of Married Women," which the writer strongly advocated. A general discussion ensued, the speakers endorsing the views of Mrs Mheppard. It was followed by a resolution moved by Mrs Sheppard, seconded by Mrs Sievwright, and carried unanimously:—"That legal recognition of economic independence of married; women is desirable for the attainment off justice and for.the furtherance of a truer married relationship."