WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 112, 27 March 1897, Page 3

WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL.

CuRisTCHCRCH, Wednesday. THE National Council of Women of NewZealand opened their annual session in the Provincial Connc 1 Chamber Mrs. •Sheppard presided. Seventeen delogates from Gisborne, Wellington, Auckland, Christchureh, Malvern and Dunedin, were present. The Women's Institute, the Somen's Christian Tempcr&iice Union, the Womcu's Political Associations, and the Salvation Army, were represented. The delegates fro'" the National Association were withdrawn. The President, in her address, recapitulated the history of the growth of the Women's Council given at the last Convention. She combated the opiniou that the Council of Women should confine themselves to subjects affecting women only. Women were human, and their humanity must take precedence of their womanhood. They were citizens, and whaterer affected the wellbeing of the commonwealth was their immediate concorn. There was a two-fold need of a Council of women to discuss geueral subjects. In Wellington a national council of men met every year. Its members received free railway passes ami salaries, and it delibirated and legislated on matters of general interest, and on matters especially affecting women and children. From that council women were excluded, not only from taking part in the discussion, but, if so wished, from hearing. The subjects there discussed by men were discussed from man's point of view- To show this she referred to the C. D. Act ami the arguments used in the defence of the present inequality in the divorce laws. Under these circumstances a Coancil largely representing the thinking and working wtmen, and costing the country nothing, became a necessary. She trusted the day was not distant when they would not exclude women from their deliberations, and legislation would no longer be one-sided, and then the need for n en's and women's councils, as such would be swept awaw. Referrring to matters to be discussed by the Council, she strongly urged the repeal of the CD. Act. stigmatising it as a blot on the Statute Book, an outrage on justice, au insult to the women, nud a direct violation of English common law. She would be sorry if the Council did not declare its hostility to the liquor traffic. The civil and political disabilities of women might engage the Council's attention for a little while. The subject of the prisons' report was of great importance. The present system tended to make criminals rather than mend them. They wanted a system which would restore, or create, self-respect. Equal pay for equal work for women should be strongly urged, and the subject of parental responsibility should engage the serious attention of the Council. Mrs. Wells read a papar on " Health," disagreeing with drug treatment and advocating hydropathy and vegetarianism. Mrs. Tasker spoke on technical education, and a resolution was passed to the effect'that the amount of money devoted to technical and secondary schools was insufficient; Chrtstchurcii, Thursday. Mrs Cunnington spoke UL the criminal code and prison. She argued for discretionary power to magistrates to _ send girl waifs and strays to homes until 21, and that the age of consent nerd not be raised beyond 18. She thought all reformatory houses should be under State inspection, and that aged female inebriates should be sent to speeial homes officered by women. She advocated specially careful treatment iu the case of infanticides, as she considered that a girl who committed that crime was mentally affected. She urged the closing of two of the four principal gaols in Mew Zealand, and the establishment of one gaol as a female prison, with a Board of Management, composed equally of men and women. She advocated the appointneut of lady J. P.'s. The following motion was carried by 12 to 7 : " That in the opioion of this Council the age of protection should be 21 years." The other resolutions carried were : " Thut the time during which charges of criminality may be made Le extended to five months ; " and " That it should be declared illegal, and severely punishable, to permit any girl or young man under 21 to be found in a house of ill-fame." (Bt TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT). Chiustcuubch, Last Night. Mrs Seddon ai rived to-day, and was welcomed by the local members of the Women's Social Political League. Mrs Seddon acknowledged the welcome, and apologised for the absence of the Premier, saying that owing to the Hon. Mr McKenzie's ill-health and the necessity for dealing this week with the question of Mr Seddon's going Home, he could not much to his regret come to-day.