National Council of Women

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 5, Issue 3, 1 September 1926, Page 25

National Council of Women

CJhe <J Mirror is the Official Organ of the (\Z. (Soundl

' I 'he National Council of Women of New Zealand (representing seventy organised Women’s Societies), affi- _ listed with the International Council of Women of forty countries. International President: The Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair, Scotland. N.Z. President: Mrs. John Cook, 17 Esplanade Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland. Hon. Vice-Presidents: Mrs. Sheppard, Midway, Christchurch; Miss Henderson, Clifton, Sumner. Vice-Presidents: Dr. Northcroft, Auckland; Mrs. Valder, Hamilton; Mrs. Walker, Gisborne; Mrs. Fraer, Christchurch; Mrs. Henry Smith, Wellington; Mrs. Denton Leech, Dunedin. Hon and Press Secretary; Miss Hasten, 304 Victoria Arcade, Auckland, Hon. Treasurer: Miss S. E. Jackson, Marne Avenue, Mt/ Albert, Auckland. International Secretary: Dr. Hilda Northcroft, “Rangiatea,” Glenside Crescent, Auckland. Branches: Auckland, Christchurch. Dunedin, Gisborne, Hamilton, Wellington, Napier, Hastings.

The Tear’s Work In submitting the annual report of the Wellington Branch last month we held over the following interesting resume of the year’s work prepared hy Miss R. Magill. which gives a comprehensive survey of the National Council's activities. The remits passed at Conference were, hy deputation, brought under the notice of the Prime Minister. The Conference delegation was well received hy Mr. Coates, who was told of the promise of the late Prime Minister that the “Woman Justice of the Peace Bill'’ would be brought in as a Government Bill, and was asked that that promise he honoured. Mr. Coates admitted that women had to be considered, and promised consideration of this question. In regard to women being on Appeal Boards of the Civil Service, the Prime Minister said that there was no reason why women should not he on that Board. Immigration. —ln response to an invitation of the conveners, the N.C.W. was represented by Mrs. Forde and Miss Kane at a preliminary meeting of societies on Immigration. The conclusions of this conference were: (a) That New Zealand needed population; (b) that immigration must be encouraged; (c) that young boys and girls should be brought out. Under these two headings: (1) What preparation for their arrival should New Zealand make? (2) What should be. done in England? The question of Immigration was fully discussed. Miss Kane being specially interested, coming as she had fresh from a discussion on this matter at the quinquennial conference. Mrs. Donaldson and Miss Kane attended a further meeting on behalf of the branch on “Empire Immigration” to form an association “on the wise and judicious settlement of New Zealand.” A constitution was discussed and an executive was set up, which executive set up a committee and subcommittee. Thirty-seven societies had formed this “Dominion Settlement Association.” It is to be a large council, with a Women’s Advisory Committee to make recommendations and to sit with the Executive to be appointed by societies. It was agreed that a report of this be sent to the Dominion N.C.W.,

stating that this branch wished to affiliate, and asking if this were permissible under the Constitution. It has since been ruled by the Dominion Council that this branch cannot affiliate, but can recommend its affiliated societies to do so. Wellington Committee to Wa'ch Legislation. —The following were appointed by the Dominion Council : Mesdames Bodcn, Moore, Forde, and Miss Kane. Child Welfare Conference. —A public meeting was held to hear a report by Miss Kane on the “Child Welfare" Conference, and to consider her report on 'he I.C.W. Children’s Charter. Mrs. Henry Smith spoke interestingly on the “Dissemination of the principles and aims of the League of Nations to the youth of the world. At this public meeting the following resolution was carried: “That maintenance cases be held in the Children’s Courts." Rest Room for I 7 omen.— the year this became an accomplished fact, and a very satisfactory building has been provided and is proving a boon to women. Guardianship Rights of Parents.--We endorsed the proposals of the Dunedin Branch of the protection society regarding amendment to the guardianship rights of parents in the direction of providing that the mother shall have equal rights with the father. Study of the Question of “Family EmUnoment.’’ —Branches were asked by Conference to study this questionand the book on it by Miss Rathbonc. Acting on the principle of interchange of branch reports on subjects studied, we asked for the Christchurch report, but found that they were no further on than we. Miss Kane drew Council's attention to the report of the International Suffrage Alliance on the subject, and so excellent was it that typed copies have been procured, and members arc making themselves conversant with the question. Miss Rathbone was chairman of the committee that drew up the report. It is hoped that Council members will, ere long, be well informed on the question of the hour. Miss Kane, as representative on the International Standing Committee of “Press,” drew Council's attention to a South African paper, 1 he Nation, the columns of which were used by the South African National Council for disseminating its news. The Dominion Council seized on the idea, with the result that we are now reported in The Mirror, a monthly periodical with a

wide circulation. This seems to be an eminently satisfactory arrangement. “Save the Children” Fund. —Representatives of the Council were asked to attend a meeting convened by Mr. dc la Mare, of Hamilton. Mrs. Forde and Miss Kane represented the Council. The result of the meeting was that a sub-committee was set up to see if the Red Cross Society would take in hand the organising and administration of this fund to avoid overlapping. The Red Cross has the organisation requisite. Here the matter at present stands. British Commonwealth League. — The following resolution of the British Commonwealth League, commended to all women’s societies, was heartily endorsed by our branch and forwarded to the Dominion Council: ‘‘That the Society, holding the representation of women at all gatherings where policy affecting the British Commonwealth as a whole is discussed to be essential, calls on all the governments participating in our Imperial Conferences to include women in their delegations.” It is hoped that there will be seen shortly some result of these representations. Up to the present, it would seem, women’s societies have called in vain. Standardised Stretchers for Ambulances.—Council’s attention having been drawn to cases where unnecessary suffering lias been caused in accident cases by patients having to be transferred from other stretchers on to the ambulance stretchers, the following resolution was forwarded to the Dominion Executive : “That all stretchers be standardised so as to obviate the necessity of transferring accident cases from a stretcher to an ambulance one because the first stretcher will not fit." Nationality of Married Women. dhe following countries allow women to keep their nationality on marriage : Russia. America, Belgium, Sweden, Norway. Denmark, Austria, France. A sub-committee, comprising Airs, horde, Miss Kane, Mrs. Donaldson, .Miss England (convener), drafted the following resolution, which was endorsed by the Dominion Council and submitted to Parliament; “That the New Zealand Government take steps to amend the existing law so that (a) New Zealand women marrying aliens be allowed to retain their British nationality after marriage should they continue to live within the British Empire, and provided they, make a declaration in writing of their desire to retain their own nationality and do not after marriage acquire the nationality of their husbands; (b)

that on the death of her husband, or the dissolution of her marriage, should a New Zealand woman elect to reside within the British Empire, she should regain her full rights as a citizen by a simple declaration of her desire to do so.” Woman Inspector of Secondary Schools. l rue to his promise, the Minister of Education has appointed a woman inspector of secondary schools, and a woman inspector of primary schools is to be appointed at an early date. Miss Hetherington was heartily congratulated on her appointment to the position, which, we feel, she will grace. Welcome to Dominion President. —Mrs. Cook, on passing through Wellington in March, visited the branch and delivered an interesting address. She stressed the value of the Dominion Council’s keeping in close touch with its branches, so that a national, rather than a parochial, spirit might prevail. Segregation of Weak-Minded Women. A sub-committee, comprising Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Forde, Mrs. Henry Smith, Miss England (convenor), has been set up to collect information from other countries in regard to ways of meeting the problem of weak-minded women. Women and the Census.— The following remit on this subject will be submitted to the next Conference: 1 hat information be disseminated by the Government that women (including wives) can on application have a personal schedule at future censuses. This arose from a complaint that business women were compelled to reveal their business affairs to their husbands, which, in sonic cases, was not desirable. Finance. —As funds were very low during the year, and this was cripping to the work of the Council, various schemes for raising money were proposed. All proved nebulous except three jumble sales organised by Mrs. Myers, Airs. Moore and Miss Kane. In connection with these jumble sales, which provided about £32, the Council is very grateful to the following for help of various kinds : Messrs. Chapman and McLaughlin (use of shop for depot), Spinsters’ Club (for running third sale), Mesdames Salt. Frost. Elton. Baker, Misses Richmond, Isaacs. Moss (2), Magi 11 (use of car for gathering goods), and all who contributed. Thanks. —Council’s thanks are due to (1) Airs. Waters for the offer of £lO as a Trust Fund to meet emergencies.

Christchurch Plan. Life Member — K. W. Lovell-Smith. President —Mrs. C. A. Fraer. Vice-Presidents Miss Henderson, Mrs. T. E. Taylor, Miss Chaplin, Miss I. M. Jamieson. Hon. Sec. —Miss H. K. Lovell-Smith. Hon. Trees. —Miss I. G. Hewlett. Dominion Committee-— Mesdames T. E. Taylor and Richards, Misses Chaplin, Jamieson, Hull and K. Lovell-Smith. Jt is interesting to look back on the x small beginnings of the resurrected National Council movement in New Zealand. The Christchurch branch held its inaugural meeting on loth September. 1917, with about three delegates from societies. Since then the branch has grown year by year, slowly but surely, and this year the delegates number twenty-five from fourteen affiliated societies, and the honarary members fifteen. Not a great number in themselves, but powerful in representing such a large proportion of the women of Canterbury and Westland. We are very glad indeed to include Westland in our ranks. While we have always felt that Canterbury and Westland were really and truly one in spirit, with the opening of the Otira tunnel a great divide of mountains no longer separates us physically. And our Westland delegate representing (he Grcymouth v .C.T.U. is able to be present at our meetings every three months. Timaru, too. although 100 miles distant, has realised that where common interests are, there is no distance in thought. And thus we have delegates representing the thoughtful women of other parts of our National Council area.

c Auckland President Dr. Hilda Northcroft. Vice-Presidents Dr. Emma Buckley, Sister Hannah, Major Gordon, Mrs. John Cook, Miss Carnachan, Miss Basten. Hon. Sec. —Miss C. J. Flatt. Hon. Trees. —Miss Cox. Dominion Committee —Lady Gunson, Dr. Emma Buckley, Sister Hannah, Mesdames Cadoux, John Cook, Kidd, McNair, Teape, and Ferner; Misses Basten, Carnachan and Flatt. Meetings. During the year seven business meetings were held, the attendance on the whole being good. Eight members were present at all meetings. The Honorary Members’ Association has been re-formed, and we arc looking for greater interest here. The President (Dr. Northcroft) look the chair at all meetings except two, when Miss S. E. Jackson, Vice-President, presided. The most of the work brought in by our societies during the year was of a purely local character: The planting of shady trees on beaches: the keeping of beaches in better order ; censorship of picture posters; censorship of literature and the prohibition of improper papers and books; investigation of number of cases of electrocution from fallen electric wires; an improved scheme of garbage collection for the city and suburbs: the reinforcement of the law for bathers to wear twopiece Canadian bathing costumes. The Council was addressed by Miss Rhodes, J.P., of N.S.W., who spoke of her work at the Children’s Courts. The presentation of an illuminated address was made to Miss S. E.

Jackson, our retired hon. secretary, as a mark of our esteem and appreciation of her work. A “Bring and Buy Sale” was held to help the branch finance, at which about £23 was raised. Donations amounted to £7 over and above this. The sale was not well attended by members, National Council News. —lt was not possible to continue the publication of the National Council Nezvs as the sales were not sufficient to pay for publication, so it was discontinued at the end of the financial year. A news page in The Mirror has been kindly granted us, and this will be our official news sheet pending the revival of our own paper. Mrs. John Cook has been elected Dominion President, Miss Hasten Dominion Secretary, Miss S. E. Jackson Dominion Treasurer, and Dr. Northcroft International Corresponding Secretary. Remits. There has been a falling off in the numbers of remits brought by societies. Some of our affiliated societies have not even brought one. We would again remind members bring about mutual co-operation between affiliated societies. Progress. —Our membership has increased, and interest in the council has been, maintained. Quiet steady work should gain us our objective and co-operation and confidence among members.

Hamilton 1 resident —Mrs. Valder. Vice-Presidents —Mes dames Bullock Stephenson, Craig. Hen. See. Dr. do la Mare. Hon. Trees. —Mrs. Stevens. In the absence of Mrs. Valder, who ■*- is away in England, and the Vicepresidents. absent through illness. Mrs. Sanford presided at the annual meeting of the Hamilton Branch. In addition to the transaction of the usual formal business, it was resolved that the honorary members should elect one of their number as a delegate to the Council. This falls in line with Auckland, which has two representatives from the Honorary Members’ Association; it has been found that this representation gives a fillip to the interest of nonvoting members. Mrs. Holloway was elected to this position. IXjipier-Hastings President— Miss Spencer (Napier). Hon. Sec. and Trees. — Mrs. H. J. Lovell-Smith, Hastings. This branch was formed in November, 1925. so is too young to have an annual meeting yet. The eyes of the older branches arc watching the newest acquisition with interest, and we hope to be able to furnish a brief report of progress in an early issue.