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Moral Eeform Union, 44, Porchester Eoad, Paddington, W., Ist May, 1896. The Moral Eeform Union, a society of men and women—founded, 1881, in the interests of pure family life—has been much encouraged in its efforts to promote moral reform throughout the world by the welcome declaration of the Premier of New Zealand, in his address given in the Opera House, at Christchurch, on the 4th February, as to prospective legislation affecting women in the colony, especially as regards the removal of "an objectionable and shameful statute," and the raising of age of consent. By order. F. B. Albbet, Secretary.
The Brackens, 11, Bolingbroke Grove, Wandsworth Common, S.W., Sir— . 6th May, 1896. I have the honour to enclose you a copy of resolutions passed by the Bond of Union amongst Workers for the Common Good, among whom are some veteran fellow-workers of the Right Hon. Sir James Stansfeld, to whom England owes her freedom from the evil legislation to which you also are opposed, as we rejoice to hear. I am, &c, Frances Lord, Hon. Sec, Gen. The Hon. R. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand.
The Bond of Union amongst Workers for the Common Good passed the following resolutions on Ist May, 1896. Meeting at the Pioneer Club, 22, Bruton Street, Bond Street, W. (London) :— " That the Bond of Union amongst Workers for the Common Good hails with satisfaction the statement of the Premier of New Zealand, in his address at Christchurch on 6th February last, that the raising of the age of consent, and ' the removal of an objectionable and shameful statute ' (which had been carried by the House of Eepresentatives, but rejected by the Legislative Council), would be insisted upon next session." " That the Bond begs to assure the Hon. Mr. Seddon of its hearty appreciation of his determined attitude on the side of morality, and trusts that the session will not close without both these vital reforms being carried." " That a copy of these be sent to the Premier and to the President of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Auckland, New Zealand." 6th May, 1896. Frances Lobd, Hon. Sec, Gen.
Social Purity Alliance (founded 1873), 1, King Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 7th May, 1896. The Executive Committee of the Social Purity Alliance, meeting on the 6th May, 1896, desire to convey to you their keen appreciation of your intention of doing your utmost not only to raise the age of consent, but to remove a statute which is correctly described as " shameful and objectionable." They earnestly trust that this intention, for which they are most grateful, will be realised in the coming session. A. Goff, Chairman. The Hon. R. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. Eric Hammond, Secretary.
Dear Sir, — Heath Avenue, Halifax, Yorkshire, 9th May, 1896. Prompted by your speech at Christchurch on 7th February, in reference to " the removal of an objectionable and shameful statute," I take the liberty of sending you (per book-post) a pamphlet which I have been recently impelled to compile, from which you may, perhaps, glean something useful in your advocacy of the repeal of immoral regulations. Your speech has given immense satisfaction to repealers in this country, who will not cease to pray that your hands may be strengthened in this good work that the next session may sweep away this blot on the legislative escutcheon of your country. I cannot forget that your Act for the regulation of prostitution was, in the first instance, the outcome of pressure from the Home Government, and that responsibility therefore rests primarily upon this country. lam therefore the more anxious that we on this side should do whatever lies in our power to assist in undoing the evil, for originating which we are compelled to confess ourselves guilty. I am, &c, Jos. Edmondson.
National Vigilance Association and Central Vigilance Society, 267, Strand, W.C. (near the Law-Courts), Dear Sir,— 12th May, 1896. The attention of the Committee of this association has been called to a speech which you recently delivered, in which you are reported to have said, " The Legislative Council had last year refused to raise the age of consent, but next session this would be insisted on, as would also the removal of a shameful and objectionable statute." Feeling the importance and value of such legislation in the interest of the well-being of all nations and of our common humanity, they have instructed me to write and express their gratitude for the principle of true righteousness which characterized your remarks, and they venture to express a hope that your determination to raise the age of consent, and to remove " a shameful and objectionable statute," may be crowned with abundant success. On behalf of the Executive Committee, We are, &c, Percy William Bunting, Chairman. William Alexander Coote, Secretary. The Hon. R. Seddon, Wellington, New Zealand.