Notes and Comments.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 3, 1 September 1895, Page 4

Notes and Comments.

We sincerely hope the Unions will carefully consider the matter of forming local and national councils in N.Z., and of federating with the International Council of Women. In the minds of many the objections seem uppermost, but the advantages must not be lost sight of. The chief advantage to an organisation is, that it can bring its work before much larger audiences than wnen working alone; another is greater unity of thought, sympathy, and purpose among women who find inspiration, breadth, and release from limitation through the respect they learn to feel for work differing radically from their own, yet like it in its purpose for the betterment of the evil conditions under which humanity labours today. Legislative Council. —We note that in Christchurch a proposal has been made to hold a public meeting to protest against the action of the Council in refusing to repeal the C.L>. Acts, to raise the age of consent, and to extend the time dining which a girl who has been wronged may appeal for redress. Such indignation meetings should be held throughout the colony. Some may prefer meetings for women only. Let our legislators see in what light the women of N.Z. regard such conduct. At each meeting condemnatory resolutions should be passed and copies forwarded to the Council. Bottle Licenses— How They are Worked. —ln one of our Southern towns a Union member was waited on for orders by a member of a leading grocery firm. When she declined to order anything in the way of spirits he said she need not lie afraid of anyone knowing, as he would deliver it in mustard tins and enter it as groceries ! Comment is supertluous.

The New Woman. A “White Ribboner” says that she is sometimes asked whether the Union belongs to the “ New Woman ” class. Replying recently to the question “ Is the * New Woman ’ coming ? ” Miss Susan B. Anthony said ; “ It all depends on what you mean by the term 1 New Woman.’ The 4 New Woman,’ as the phrase goes, may mean a loud, mannish woman affecting the boisterous conduct of men, with none of the saving graces of her own sex. If that be the 4 New Woman I do not welcome her coming. If by the 4 New Woman ’ is meant a woman earnest, thoughtful, lofty of purpose, and equally well educated with men, why then she has come. We have got her in our homes, where she stands side by side with her husband, welcoming his friends on the common giound of intellectual equality, joining in their discussions a collegebred woman who can do something more than pour tea when her husband entertains his friends.” Each Union will, w T e presume, arrange to celebrate the New Zealand Woman’s Anniversary, September 9th, in some suitable manner. We have received a copy of the temperance recitation “ Fearless Frank.” It can be supplied by the author t post-free) at 3d a single copy, or tw'o shillings per dozen. November Show.— lt has been suggested to us that Unions might further the aims and objects of W.C.T.U. work in general, and our paper in particular, by distributing a number of copies gratis at the November shows. We think the idea a good one. The October issue will of course be the suitable one in point of time. Will those who think well of the motion please forward their orders at an early date, so that there may be no difficulty in supplying the same. The price for these extra copies will be 4/- per hundred.