SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1941, Page 4

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

DISCUSSION BY WOMEN RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. DOMINION-WIDE SUPPORT IN VIEW. ! In spite of the intense cold the meeting of women called last night to consider some of the more prominent social problems was well attended. Mrs K. Groves, president of the Wairarapa Executive of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, was in the chair and Mrs T. R. Barrer acted as secretary pro tem. Except for a few slight amendments all the resolutions passed by previous meetings were carried, all except one being unanimous. Strong support was given to proposals for tightening up the laws relating to convictions on charges of criminal abortion, and either for alterations in the jury system or its abolition in abortion cases and replacement by a panel, of three judges. Other subjects were the prohibition of the advertising, importation, manufacture and sale of contraceptives and abortifacients, except through responsible channels, such as clinics attached to public hospitals or reputable doctors; education of young people in biology and physiology by specially qualified persons, women jurors in cases where women and children were involved, sanction of the indeterminate sentence, as recommended by the Prisons Board, for convicted sexual offenders, and enforcement of laws controlling the liquor traffic. It was felt by many speakers that at the back of all social evils lay the want of the right home influence, and that religious teaching was all important. It was resolved that the Minister of Education should be asked to have a large copy of the Ten Commandments posted in every school throughout New Zealand.

The question of a National Home Service Corps with, a professional status like that of the nursing profession, the members of which would be guaranteed continuity of service, and first consideration given to expectant mothers, mothers convalescent after child birth, or mothers of young families was discussed, also the value of Kindergartens and creches. Another suggestion was the formation in Masterton of a Voluntary Aunt Brigade, the members of which would undertake to mind young children and allow the younger mother to have a spell off duty. In order to get Dominion-wide support it was decided that members of organisations should forward the resolutions passed to the executives of the societies they represented. It was pointed out that nearly all embodied recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the incidence of abortion set up by the Government, to which evidence had been given by almost every responsible body in New Zealand, including the churches and the women's organisations. At a later date reports will be received from these organisations, deputations appointed and plans matured for forwarding proposals to the right quarters. In the meantime it. is hoped that local groups will make a study of some of the problems involved.