WOMEN’S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20187, 26 August 1927, Page 15

WOMEN’S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Bx Phellida. ,

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Women s National Council was held on Wednesday evening, and was well attended. Among correspondence read was a letter from Havelock North on the need for tariff revision. The letter urged that higher duties were necessary on foreign imported poods that could bo produced in the Dominion or purchased from Britain. Clothing materials and readv-made clothing wore especially mentioned, and it was stated that, owing to the competition of imported goods the industries of the Dominion were threatened and young people were being deprived of employment. A large quantity of the imports were from America, a country of high protective duties, which , gave ug no market. Some discussion followed. Miss Eunoiman stated that in Otagp factories work jvas slack at present and girls' w'eroTieing given Holidays. Other members spoke to similar effect, while one or two said that jj’reetrade was the international ideal supported by the League of Nations, that high protective duties promoted national antagon- 1 isms, raised the cost of living, and favoured profiteering by manufacturers arid distributors. It was decided that the question was too wide and involved for the council to commit itself to a definite expression of opinion. Mr Fraser’s Bill Against the publication of unsavoury and demoralising details of court cases was noticed, and it was agreed that the council heartily support Mr Fraser’s reform measure. The President (Mrs Leech) made feeling references to the death of Mrs' Tapley, a former member and vice-president, and members • rose and stood for a minute in silence. The main feature of the meeting was a paper by Miss O’Shea on “ Child Welfare In New Zealand.” Miss O’Shea gave a comprehensive and lucid account of the legislation passed in the Dominion for the protection and welfare of children and young people. She gave outlines of 14 Acts, and illustrated their working. The provisions for destitute and neglected or uncontrollable children, and for subnormaland incapacitated children were very fully explained, and the care exercised over boardsd-out children was made clear. As showing the satisfactory working of the provisions it was mentioned that last year among 1446 children under State supervision there was only one death. Miss O’Shea spoke of the good progress made by many of the subnormal children in the two homes provided for boys and girls respectively. Some of the handwork done by inmates was of a very high standard, and 'in the boy's’ school the drill and music wore wonderfully good. Miss O’Shea, who has investigated child welfare work in Britain and the United States, thinks the New Zealand work is especially well planned end successful. A very hearty vote of thanks was given to Miss O’Shea for her enlightening address.