THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11993, 16 March 1901, Page 3

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

The following motions aro to bo submitted to the next mooting of the National I Council of the Women of New Zealand at Wanganui:— TEMPERANCE. 1. That this council reaffirms the great democratic principle of government by a majority on all questions. ' . 2. Tlißt whereas tho liquor traffic is declared on undisputed authority to b<? the cause of muchmisery, much vice, and much crime, therefore this National Council ot Women pledges itself, on humanitarian grounds, to do all in its power to discountenance the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic liquors as beverages. 3. That, this council shall approach tho Minister of Education with a view to lmving' scientific instruction on the nature of alcohol and its effects on the human body given to the children in our public schools. ' CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. 1. Party Government —" That the system of party government in New Zealand has many evils connected with it, and is entirely unsuited to the circumstances of the colony." 2. Elective Executive , .—" That this council views with dissatisfaction the manifest inefficiency of the New Zealand Parliament as an instrument for 'obtaining beneficip.l legislation or administration. The council is of opinion that, in order to effect any real improvement in parliamentary methods the House of Representatives should elect the membere of the Cabinet, who shntl thus be made imlividiwlly directly responsible and removable by tho House. The council is further of oninion that each member of the House should bo free to act according to the wishes of his constituents or the dictates of his conscience, and not to be the mere slave of party." 8. Initiative and Referendum.—" Thnt this council urge 3 unon the Government the importance of making provision for the application of the initiative and referendum on all ouestions of social importance." ' 4. Majority Representation.—" Thnt the Government be naked to introduce a bill providing for majority representation." 5. Civil Service Board.-" That to mitigate the evils which arise from the present system of appointment to tho civil service, n hoard be appointed directly by the House of Representatives, such hoard to have sole power to appoint civil servants." G. Reform of the Upper House.—" That n reform of the method of nomination and appointment of the members of the Upper House is urgently needed, that futnre appointments to the Legislative Council should bo in the hands of the people, and should be secured by ft system of preferential voting, and that the maximum number should not exceed 30." . LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFOItM. 1. Franchise.—" That a further reform of our local government system is desirable, such retain to ensure that all men and women entitle to exercise the parliamentary franchise shall al.=o be entitled to exercise tho local franchise." 2. Women on Local Bodies,—" That it is desirable that women shall ocoupy seats on local I)odic3." 3. That effective provision should ba made ■for the undertaking and maintaining, by local bodies, of all public scrvjees of local utility, ar.d also of reproductive wdrks and industries. rnisoN reform. 1, Thnt all sentences for serious offences should be decided ns to duration by the reform of tho criminal, and should be limited by the maximum, penalty attached to the crime. 2. That women visiting justices should be appointed to our prisons. "ii, That capital punishment should be abolished. YOUNG PKRSONS AND CHILDREN. 1. Age of Protection.—That this council urges the raising of the age of protection to 21 years. 2. Children Born Out' of Wedlock.-That, in view of the hardehros imposed upon many children by the condition of illegitimacy, and tho absolute uselessness as a deterrent from immorality of legal disabilities inflicted upon these children, such legal disqualifications should be removed. That, considering (a) the great mortality among illegitimate children, and (b) the neglected condition of many of them, who help to swell the ranks of the criminal and the diseased, the council proposes—(l) That the State should make generous provision for the maintenance, supervision, and education of all such children; (2). that parents should he obliged to contribute, according to their means, to the support of their children; (3) that these children should possess an equal status with those born in wedlock, and should bear the name of the-father; (4) that in cases of intestacy these children should share property equally with any other children of the same parent. 3. That a public officer, who may be a women, bo appointed, whose duty it will be, on the registration of the birth of an illegitimate child, or before, to discover parentage, with a view to enforcing proper maintenance of the child. 4. That the council suggests that cottage homes should be established for the reception and maintenance of neglected children. 5. That a " State - " children's department,' such as exists in South Australia for dealing with young persons charged with offences against the law, be established.' TKEATJIENT OP DISEASES. " (1) That the council considers that it is urgently necessary that the Public Health, Hospital, and Charitable Aid Acts be amended so as to make provision for the establishment of special tads for the admission of patients, suffering from venereal disease, and voluntarily presenting themselves for treatment. (2) That wards of observation and isolation for the temporary accommodation of ceses of lunacy and delirium tremens should be established by Government." HEFEAIi OP ACTS. C.D. Acts.—" That this National Council of Women requests the Premier again to introduce the bill for the repeal of the C.D. Acts, and urgee upon him not to allow the present session to expire without removing this blot from the Statute Book." REMOVAL OP WOMEN'S DISABILITIES. " That in tho opinion of this council all disabilities which at present hinder women from sitting as members of cither of tho Houses of the Legislature, or from being elected or tvppointed tetany public office or position :n the colony, should be removed, and that with regard to all powers, rights, and duties of citizens, absolute equality should bo the law of tho land.' OENT.IWL. " That the legal recognition of the economic equality of husband and wife is desirable for tho attainment of justice, and for the furtherance of a truer inarriago relationship," "That the Old-age Pensions Act be so amended that the Bole qualifications be 25 yeaTs' residenco in tho colony and a certified ago ot 65 years." " That this council is of opinion that in all cases where men and womra me engaged in the same work, either in the employ of the Government or of nrivate individuals, equal wage should be paid for equal work." " That in the opinion of this council domestic servants should be legally entitled to a halfholiday." / "That this council deplores the militarism which is extending its ravages over the world, increasing the burdens of every people, fomenting national and international jealousies, and inciting virulent xncinl hatreds. The council considers that the difficulties between nations are always capable of peaceable settlement, if mediatory methods be employed in time, ond it therefore heartily welcomes the establishment of the international Court of Arbitration." Papers are to be read at the annual meeting on the following subjects:—"The Broadening of Woman's Outlook." Mrs Williamson; " Parental Responsibility." MrsDaldy; "Illegitimacy," Mrs Sievwrleht: "The Duty of tho State to its Neglected Children," Miss Henderson; " Kindorgarteno," Mrs Bendelv: "Party Government Reform," Mrs Tasker; "The Effect of Literature on the Education of a Race," Sirs Wells; "Hygiene," Dr Cruikshank: "Defects in our System ot Education." Miss M'Carthy: "Temperance," Mrs Atkinson; " Some Utopian Ideas on the Domestic Servants Question," Miss Jessie Mackay.