NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15000, 22 February 1919, Page 2

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

For a considerable time past the more thoughtful women throughout the Dominion have felt the need "of an organised effort to band together the Wsmen's Societies in each centre ana affiliate them under an executive which would be empowered to represent them on questions more particularly affecting women and children. As a preliminary step, towards this co-operative movement, the women's societies in Auckland, Gisborne, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, formed local councils composed of representatives from these societies. After correspondence, it was resolved to hold a conference in Wellington last Easter, to which" accredited delegates from each local council were sent. The result of this conference was that a National Council of Women was formed, a constitution passed and officers elected. Since lien YYanganm has formad a, local council an« ,it is expected" that Invercargill will lie the next to organise. Briefly, the object of tne council is to mute all organised societies of women lor mutual counsel and co-operation, and to enable the various organisations to be more -conversant with each other's ■v/ork and desires. By its constitution, tiie Council has no power over the brandies that constitute it beyond suggestion, counsel and sympathy Its memoership consists of all organised societies of women, or of men and women which have become affiliated to a loc-il council It is believed that a National Council, representing all organisations of women m all parts of tiie Dominion will be able to interpret and give expression to the wishes of women in a i manner and with an authority that would not otherwise be possible . Mrs K. W. Sheppard, of Christchurch is at present holding the office of president, while Miss Henderson, B A of the same city, fills the office of secretary. Either of these ladies will he pleased to receive communications and auswor questions about the council an<T its work. The next" meeting" of the council will be held in Wellington durimv ■the coming session of Parliament, when opportunity will be taken to discuss f . number of important topics of special interest to women. It may be mentioned that in several countries, including Great Britain and" Ireland, the United Slates of America Canada, the Australian. Spates, and most of the European countries, National Councils of Women have been established for many years past, and five affiliated to an International Council. d£ which Lad> Aberdeen is president. . *