Lectures to Women.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5283, 14 June 1895, Page 1

Lectures to Women.

■I -/■■•♦ »■--•-■ •--:- , The sixth of the <series of lectures' was; delivered;; by Mr J. T. M. Hornsbyiyesterday afternoon, at : the Art Oakery*, There ; was a large audience. The lecturer dwelt throughout his address on the need for a dispassionate study : of economic questions on- the - part of women. They were met at^the Outset by the evils of the sweating Byßtem--ra aystem by, whioh -women were the chief sufferers, and/ this not direotly> but indirectly; the xeßult being not only physical suffering but also moral degradation. Women k should,, not to agj.tajq until they had secured fo¥ themaelwefTequal pay for equal wort. , The unworthy treat men b of domeatic servants by many mistresses showed that women did not make the most of their opportunities for helping each other. The question as to whether married women should be made, free in an economical sense by the establishment of a State grant for motherhood, was a debatable one, but a life insurance policy or an annuity taken out by the husband and made over .to the wife: would meet the difficulty in every way. The liquor trade was .one in which, women should take a deep interest. They were the chief sufferers ; /their share in the legislation controlling the drink traffic shonld be proportional. Total prohibition was not to be thought of for a moment. Legislation would not destroy men's desire for dvink or the possibility of satisfying it. A middle bourse would be. beat for all, and this could best be achieved by placing the entire control of the liquor traffic in the hands of the State. In the speaker's opinion there was a greater evil to be dreaded in New Zealand than alcoholism, and that was the prevalence of the vice of gambling among women and youths. In condemning the charitable aid system of the colony as one that pauperised the people, Mr Horneby advocated placing the paupers and loafers on the land, and compelling the artisans to work in State workshops. The establishment Of co operative mills, the nationalisation of. mines and steamships, and the municipalisatiori of food supplies in towns, were also advocated and specially commended to the notice and. study of women.