Council of Women

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 4

Council of Women

PRESIDENT STRESSES NEED FOR WOMEN’S CULTIVATION OF WIDER VIEWPOINTS I _ J ANNUAL MEETING Tine annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women was held in the Y.W.C.A. last evening, Miss Carnachan presiding over a good attendance of members. Correspondence in regard to affiliation was received from Mrs. Cruick- , shanks, of East Tamaki Women’s Progressive League, and from Airs. L. Grant, of the Te Ivuiti Women's Civic League. BALANCE-SHEET .The balance-sheet showed expenses totalling £49 14s 3d, and a substantial bank balanbe of £9l 17s 7d. This credit balance, however, would be considerably reduced by the recent conference expenses which had not yet been .settled. Apropos these expenses, ways and means of raising £3O were discussed and delegates present were empowered to return to their affiliations with a request (for £ 1 Is. ANNUAL REPORT The secretary’s annual report showed that there were now 37 societies affiliated, sending 63 delegates representing approximately 10,000 women. There were 62 honorary members. During the past session the council had been invited to co-operate with the Child Welfare Council and also with the IYA Children’s Sessions Advisory Committee and representatives had l3een appointed. YEAR’S ACHIEVEMENTS Much valuable work had been done by the council during the year. The formation of the Auckland Open-air Schools’ League was chiefly owing to the untiring efforts of the women, and the council could also justly claim considerable credit for the establishment of a Chair of Obstetrics in the Dominion, and for the passing of the Mental Defectives’ .Bill in its present form. The council had entertained, many visitors from abroad, including Miss Maude Royden, Dr. Osborne and overseas delegates from the Pan Pacific Conference. In conclusion the secretary said that much interest had been maintained in the council’s work and it was felt that the council had the confidence and hearty co-operation not only of the representatives and honorary members but also of the public in general. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Miss Carnachan struck a new note in her address by stressing the great need for women to interest themselves particularly in international affairs.. With the rapid development of modern means of communication New Zealand was no longer isolated, and the women of New Zealand should strive for a wider point of view and tackle the big problems of the world. For the benefit of the new members Miss Carnachan briefly outlined the aim of the National Council of Women to impro-vo the status of women and children throughout the world, and the. development of the principle of the golden rule. She defined the council as a deliberative and educational agency. The International Council of Women and its work was also discussed. The promotion of peace was the biggest work at present before the women of the world. Miss Melville thanked Miss Carnachan for her splendid address and complimented the'president on the breadth of view expressed. Miss Flatt. the secretary, reported on the recent Dominion conference held in Gisborne, which was attended by 31 delegates from the various centres. Other speakers who gave their impressions of the conference were Sister Hannah, Mrs. McNair and Mrs. Cook. A letter had been received from the Auckland branch of the League of Nations Union asking the council to appoint a delegate to co-operate in making arrangements for the reception of the Eraden. After some discussion it was decided that as the council had taken no official part in welcoming warships in the past it could not see any reason for establishing a. precedent on this occasion. Had it been a delegation of German women it would have been a different matter. ASSAULTS ON WOMEN Recent assaults upon women and children were the subject of some discussion, and the inadequacy of two sentences passed in the courts caused much indignation. Newspaper correspondents had asked what the National Council of Women were doing about the matter, and the council’s reply was the following three resolutions, which were unanimously passed: (1) That the executive be authorised to .write a suitable letter to the papers pointing out the work of the council and suggesting that if people Interested in the matter would assist by joining up with the council it would be a great help. (2) Having .regard to the frequency, of cases of assault on little children' and girls, the executive of the National Council of Women of New Zealand urges with renewed vigour the appointment of women police, the introduction of legislation for women jurors and the establishment of halfway houses and farm colonies. (3) That, having regard to the findings of two juries at the recent criminal sittings of the Supreme Court in Auckland dealing with cases of assault on little children, the National Council of Women views with grave concern what appears to them the want of appreciation of the gravity of these offences. In one case the offender, being a man of 29, was recommended to mercy on account of his youth, and in the other a man of 62 was recommended to mercy on account of his age. If such recommendations on such grounds became general it would mean that little children would not be adequately protected by the courts. Women police, women jurors, halfway houses and farm colonies, for which the National Council had long I been vigorously agitating, were pro{tective measures against such offences. ! ELECTION OF OFFICERS The election of officers resulted as follows: Miss Carnachan. Miss Flatt and Mrs. MclSSalr were unanimously re-elected respectively president, secretary and treasurer; lion, vice-presi-dents, Mrs. J. Cook, Miss Jackson and ±)r. Hilda Northeroft; Dominion committee, Miss Carnachan, Miss Flatt, Miss Melville, Miss Hasten. Miss Jackson, Sister Hannah, Dr. Buckley Turkington, Mrs. A. Kidd, Miss Jean Begg and Mrs. McNair; Auckland executive, Miss Carnachan, Miss Flatt, Mrs. McI Nalr, Mies Melville, Miss Basten, Dr. i Buckley Turkington, Sister Hannah, j Miss Begg and Miss Newton.

ROSES AND FERN

PRETTY DECORATIONS AT CARD PARTY' j A gay little party was held at the j residence of Mrs. Stanley Riggs, New J Lynn, on Saturday evening, the hostess receiving her guests in a frock of mist blue beaded georgette and tulle. The supper tables were daintily decorated with pink roses, carnations and maidenhair fern. During the evening “500” and games were played, and Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Nichlin won the prizes for women. Among the guests were: | Airs. Carlquist, in honey beige crepe de j chine and lace. Airs. Winks, black chiffon velvet. ! Airs. Howard, pleated crepe de chine. Airs. Shore, shell pink beaded georgj Airs. Nichlin, navy crepe de chine. Airs. Biggs, apricot crepe de chine and j lame. Airs. Hicks, blue satin and georgette. Mrs. Hasson, black frock and shoulder l ornament.