H.—2B

4

Women's Liberal Federation, 23, Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 13th May, 1896. I have been desired by the Executive Committee of the Women's Liberal Federation of England to inform you that, having heard with great pleasure that you have declared that the removal of the Contagious Diseases Act from the statute-book will be insisted upon during the next session of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, the Committee resolved to convey to you their great appreciation of your zeal in this just cause, and the assurance of their earnest desire that your proposals may be crowned with success. I am, &c, Margaret Benmer, The Hon. R. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. Secretary.

Sir, — Attereliffe (Sheffield) Women's Liberal Association, 15th May, 1896. The above association, of which I am president, desires me to express to you the satisfaction with which they have heard that you have said that " the Legislative Council of New Zealand had last year refused to raise the age of consent " (at which a girl may agree to her own ruin), "but that next session this would be insisted on, as would also the removal of a shameful and objectionable statute." Some of us are old workers in seeking to promote the universal abolition of the State regulation of vice, and we are all profoundly convinced that what is morally wrong can never be physically right—a conviction which is only confirmed by the experience of all those who have inquired into this matter with unprejudiced minds. We trust that the coming session of the Legislature will witness the repeal of the Act and the passing of the other measure designed for the protection of young girls. On behalf of my committee, I am, &c, The Hon. R. Seddon, Wellington, New Zealand. S. R. Wilson, President.

Sir, — Tamar Vale, 75, Gordon Road, Ealing, London, W., May, 1896. The Social Purity Committee of the English Wesleyan Methodist Conference have heard with great satisfaction that you have declared your desire that the law for the regulation of sexual vice shall be removed from the statute-book of New Zealand. We are deeply anxious for the abolition of these obnoxious laws wherever they exist. You will doubtless be aware of the tremendous struggle which preceded the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts in this country. We fear that there are those in Great Britain who would like to see these shameful Acts revived. A victory for the cause of repeal in New Zealand would strengthen the hands of the friends of abolition throughout the world. We desire to express our gratitude to you for the stand you have taken, and our earnest hope that your desire will be accomplished. On behalf of the above-named Committee, We are, &c, D. J. Walker, D.D., President of the Conference. G. Armstrong Bennetts, 8.A., Secretary of the Committee. The Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, Dear Sir, — 18, Rawlinson Road, Oxford, sth June, 1896. I am desired by the executive of the Mid-Oxon Women's Liberal Association to express to you our grateful appreciation of your statement, at a recent by-election, that the raising of the age of consent would be insisted on during the next session of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, as would also the removal of a " shameful and objectionable statute." It is most encouraging to hear of such words spoken by the Prime Minister of a great colony; and our earnest hope is that these two measures of justice may be carried in your Legislative Council by a large majority. I have, &c, Catherine B. Drummond, The Hon. R. Seddon. Hon. Sec. Mid-Oxon W.L.A.

A Greeting from Old Ireland. Dublin Association for the Repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts, Dear Sir, — 91, Rathmines Road, Dublin, 10th June, 1896. We are much rejoiced to learn, through Mrs. Butler, that you intend at your next session of Parliament to propose that the age of consent be raised, and also that the CD. Acts in your colony be repealed. If there were anything in our power that we could do to strengthen your hands, you have our very best desires and deep sympathy. Our Committee here has long ago been dissolved, but I continue to act as a member of dear Mrs. Butler's Committee, and now, being an old woman (one of the original workers and secretaries in 1870), can do but little. I have always helped at women's questions, am still honorary secretary of the Women's Suffrage and PoorLa w Guardian Association. The latter we are vigorously working up now, having got the Act enabling women to be Guardians passed this year. Any appeal as regards combating the CD. Acts has my warmest sympathy, and I earnestly trust that your hands may be strengthened to fight the battle before you vigorously ; and that a blessing may rest on your efforts and those of the good men and women who may assist you is the heartfelt desire of your sympathizing friend in the good cause of morality, purity, &c. Anna (Mrs.) M. Haslam, The Hon. R. Seddon, Wellington. An old Hon. Sec. P.S.—I send you one of the old pamphlets I had compiled here long ago.—A.M.H.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,375 copies), £2 10s.

Authority ; John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB96.

Price Sd.]