NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11402, 20 April 1899, Page 5

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

(Pjse United Pjibss Association.)

AUCKLAND, April 19.

Tho National Council of Women met in committee this ■ morning in the Municipal Buildings. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: —President, Mrs Sheppard ;' vice - presidents, Mesdames Daldy, Bievwriglit, and Tasker; secretary. Mrs Wells; treasurer, Mrs Williamson (re-elected). It was decided that the next annual convention of the council should be held in Dunedin.

On the motion of Mrs Sievwright, seconded by Mrs Schnackenberg, it was resolved—" That tlie National Council of Women of New Zealand deplores the continuous growth of firmaments throughout the world. It sees that people are'crushed by tho ever-increasing military expenditure and that they, are alienated' from each other by the rivalries of' their respective rulers. The council deprecates any projects likely to involve Australasia in the participation of warfare, and strenuously protests against an Imperial consideration of those colonies as a recruiting ground for "Imperial militarism."

Mrs Tasker moved and Mrs Wells seconded the following motion—"That in tho opinion of this council canvassing at elections should be abolished."—The motion was carried. Mrs Sievwright moved and Mrs Wells seconded—".That in the interests of the electors a second ballot at general elections should be taken."—The motion was earned.

16 was decided, on the motion of Mrs Tasker, to forward the resolutions to the Premier.

At the afternoon session the following resolutions, arising from a paper on master and apprentices, was passed :—" That the council feels that tho following resolution, framed with a view to present necessities rather than as a substitute for basic reforms the council hopes to see inaugurated—that the Government be asked to make'_ some legal enactment whereby boys and girls should pass through a period of probation and be adequately protected in disputes;' they should also be properly tnlight their trades, with :i system of graded payments to be enforced for young people." ' A resolution was passed unanimously in favour of equal pay for equal work.

Resolutions , bearing on the temperance question, moved by Mrs Schnackenberg, were passed by a large 'majority,' as follows:—(1) "That the National Council urge u|ion the, Government a stricter enforcement of the laws for the regulation of the liquor traffic; (2) whereas the liquor traffic is declared on undisputed authority to be a cause'of much misery and crime, this council pledges itself on 'humanitarian grounds to- do all in its' power to discountenance the importation, manufacture, and sale of alcoholic liquors ; (3) that this council reaffirms the great democratic principles of government by a majority on all questions." ■

At the evening session Mrs Fletcher react <i paper on "Agricultural Schools," by Mrs Louisa Blake, of Christ-church.. It suggested that such schools should, be free to all. A resolution embodying the suggestions was carried. N . * ■

A paper by Miss Fraser, of the Girls' College, Wanunnui, was read by Mrs Williamson, of Wanganui. Mrs Wells made a number of suggestions, embodying in effect the proposals in the paper—namely.' that tecluiical education should be provided for all, and that the children of the primary schools should go on to the secondary schools in certain coses; also, that increased facilities should be given for the study and training of pupil"teachers. The official business is now ended.