WOMEN'S CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 27

WOMEN'S CONFERENCE.

SYDNEY, May 18. The Women's Conference resolved that coloured labour is necessary in tropical Australia to prevent the deterioration of the white race. Another motion was carried in favour of the compulsory military J training of youths and the instruction of young women in the use of firearms for the J purpose of defending their persons and i country in case of need. ] The Women's Conference passed a resolu- i tion strongly favouring uniform divorce laws throughout the Commonwealth, and that the grounds for divorce should be : made equal for men and women. Statistics \ were quoted showing that the proportion , of divorces to marriages was : — Westralia, 1 in 555; Queensland, 1 in 435; South . Australia, 1 in 400 ; Victoria, 1 in 74 j ! New South Wales, 1 in 36. Careless mothers were most to blame for unhappy marriages. There was a preponderance of ] opinion that divorce was too easy. The Conference also l'esolved in favour of a further reduction of the number of members of the State Parliament, with an increase in payment sufficient to attract ; the ablest men ; also, the emendation of J the Arbitration Act so as to make it answer the purpose for which it was brought into existence. It was contended ' the effect had been interference with the ordinary course of business, instead of pre- i J venting strikes, and that it pressed in many |

ways upon employers and caused increased demands by the workers. May 20. The Women's Conference has passed resolutions in favour of local self-govern-ment, full local option, the adoption of the Gothenburg system, abolition of barmaids, equality of the sexes in business i affairs, andi dairying schools for women. J

The Master of the Rolls dissented. It is understood that the case will be taken to the House of Lords. The War Office is making inquiry into the bootmakers' strike at Northampton, and promises an early settlement of the strike. 31ANUFACTURE OF WHITE LEA T. AUCKLAND, May 18 The Trades and Labour Council yesterday discussed a proposal from the Wellington Council to ask the Government to prohibit the manufacture of white lead in New Zealand, owing to its injurious effects on the workers. A motion that the council was not organised to interfere with the progress of any trade was rejected in favour of an amwidment supporting the Wellington Council. (Fsoif Our Own Corbespondent.) WELLINGTON, May 19. The Wellington Trades Council is talcing steps towards the organising of Labour in the country districts. The Management Committee is to draft a scheme to submit to a subsequent meeting. In reply to questions, the President intimated that some time ago the Premier had been requested to receive deputations in regard to opening up the Shelly Bay road, imported stationery, and Chinese entering the colony, and that he had not yet replied to these communications. A dispute involving no fewer than 400 employers in the Wellington district has been- filed by the Wellington Stationary, Traction, and Locomotive Engine Drivers' Union, and is set down for consideration by the Conciliation Board on June 2. The employers in Palmerston North, Wanganui, Napier, and Dannevirke are concerned.