WOMEN’S SOCIETIES

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 12, 1 June 1896, Page 3

WOMEN’S SOCIETIES

Canterbury Women’s Institute. — A meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Womens Institute was held on Saturday evening at Chancery Lane Hall; the President in the chair. The platform forwarded by the Progressive Liberal Association was approved of, but it was resolved to ask the Society to consider planks three and four as one, and to add to the platform, “ i he removal of all political and civil disabilities from women.” In answer to the circular forwarded by the Wellington Women’s Social and Political League, the following ’■evolution was unanimotislv carried : “ I'hat as the Canterbury W omen’s Institute is a non-party organisation, it cannot see its way to co operating with the Wellington W omen's Social and Political League in the niattei of presenting a congratulatory address to the Premier.” The need for the appointment of a suitable commission to inquire into the present method of the treatment of criminals having been long recognised hy the Institute, the Secretary was instructed to forward to the various social and political leagues throughout New Zealand a petition for their endorsement embodying this view, the petition to he forwarded to the Minister of Justice. The delegate s to the Surplus Labour League presented their report. Tneir actions were endorsed. The Premier’s reply to the deputation which waited on him on Saturday afternoon was considered \ery unsatisfactory, and it was resolved to continue to agitate on the lines of the following resolution passed hy the National Council of the Women of New Zealand “ That the establishment of co operative industrial settlements, formed with a farm as a basis, and gradually embracing all kinds of industries, would do much to solve the unemployed difficulty—more, indeed, than any remedy that has as yet been applied.” A general meeting followed the meeting of the committee, when the subject of marriage and divorce was considered. At the conclusion of the debate the following resolution was passed: —“That this Institute is in favour of the Hon J. Macgregor’s Hill of 1895, which provides that divorce he granted for adultery or desertion.’* Auckland Women’s Democratic Union. —The usual fortnightly meeting of this Union was held on June 22, in

the Wesley Hall, Mrs Collings, Presipent, in the chair. The members congratulated Mrs Codings on herappointment as Official Visitor to the female department of the Lunatic Asylum. In replying she said that they all knew that there were many things a woman could net speak to a man visitor about, and especially in such a place as the asylum. Our poor suffering sisters in such institutions wanted all the sympathy a woman could give. A letter was read by the Corresponding Secretary, Mrs D. E. Chapman from the Editor of the White Ribbon, and a copy of that paper was laid on the table. It was agreed that reports of the Union’s meetings should be sent to the White Ribbon, and all members who could should take the paper. An excellent paper on “ Old Age Pensions ” was read by Mrs Gibson. After discussion a resolution was passed asking her to read it again on one of the open nights, and a vote of thanks was accorded to her. It was resolved that Miss Summers be asked to give a paper on the Chinese Question, she having had a practical knowledge of it through her travels. The paper on “ Economic Independence ” from the White Ribbon was then read, and arrangements made for the next meeting, which is to be an open one.

Wellington Southern Cross Society.—On May 18th a meeting of the members of the above society was held in the Kiosk, Panama-street, chiefly to hear an account of the Convention recently held in Christchurch, which resulted in the formation of the Women’s National Council. Mrs idimmer occupied the chair. In her address concerning the transactions of the Convention, Lady Stout explained that at present the National Council of Women consisted of delegates from societies which have affiliated. Unfortunately, the societies invited and represented at the Conference were political organisations, with one exception. The Council was intended to represent, and should represent, all societies of women, and its object in the meantime was to have all women engaged in industrial, professional, social, and political work organised, and afterwards represented by delegates in the Council. The pro ceedings in Christchurch ware conducted under the auspices of the Canterbury Women's Institute, and were confined to political questions. As a Council they did not claim to be infallible, but certainly their work was done as conscientiously and as honestly as any work done in Parliament. They

were not governed by any private motives for the gratification of selfish ends, but undertook the work for the good of their less fortunate sisteis. They believed that all good men and women were with them in their object, or would be when they understood the questions. They were quite prepared to face all the ridicule that jealousy and ignorance might cast at them, remembering that all reforms ai d reformers had in their time undergone ridicule. Lady Stout entered into a detailed explanation of the matters discussed by the Conference and her own action in regard to the resolutions passed. In conclusion, a vote or thanks was passed to Lady Stout for her address. [Five cut of the eleven Socit ties represented were Social, not Political,organisations. Industrial bodies were invited to co-operate. The Canterbury Women’s Institute simply took the initiative steps of issuing the invitations and drafting a programme. At the first session Convention resolved itself into a National Council, and from that time became responsible for all business transacted. It is true that all the subjects dealt with were political, but it is difficult in a democratic country to draw the line between political and social. Of all the subjects dealt with, we know of only one that was not essentially social. That they were also political is due to our environment.— Ed. White Ribbon.]

Wanganui Women’s Political League.— On May 22nd a special meeting of the above League was called for the express purpose of receiving the report of their delegate (Mrs. Williamson) to the recent Christchurch Convention, and was well attended. Mrs. Pullock, who occupied the chair, briefly explained the object of the gathering, and after the minutes of the previous meeting of the League were read, she called on Mrs W illiamson to give her report. Mrs Williamson gave a detailed account of the Council’s proceedings, criticising them in a most impartial manner, quoting press accounts for and against us; but showing that a large number of the newspapers throughout the colony were greatly in sympathy with much that was done at the Council. Mrs Williamson also said—“ Of adverse criticism we of course got our full share; but I am happy to say that it all came from people who were not at the Conference—from newspapers w hich had not a representative present; and we all know that there is no criticism so pungent as that which comes from those who know little or nothing

of the subject with which they are dealing.” Mrs Williamson resumed her seat amidst applause, after which the chairwoman said that she was sure tiie Convention would prove of benefit to the whole colony. From what their delegate had told them, and from the flattering press notices of the meetings of the delegates, it was evident that women were quite as capable as men in dealing with questions of public interest. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Williamson, who briefly acknowledged the compliment, and expressed her pride in being selected as their representative.

Dunedin Women’s Franchise League. —A well-attended meeting of the Women's Franchise League, on May 28, considered the education question. A resolution was carried by a majority affirming that the Scripture text-book should be prepared by a committee, and the question of its introduction into the school? should be submitted to the people by the referendum. It was also resolved by a large majority that the question of Bible-reading in schools should be submitted to the people by the referendum. A circular was received respecting an address and presentation to the Premier and Mrs Seddon. It was stated that the executive considered that, as the League was a non-party organisation, it ought not to take part in the demonstration, hut that the letter and list should be laid on the table, and an opportunity given to individual members to join in the demonstration. A number of subscriptions towards the movement were received in the room. Gisborne Women’s Political Association. —A meeting was held on May 22 to receive the report of the delegate (the President), Mrs Sievwright to the National Convention of Women recently held in Christchurch. Mrs Sievwright said that they were indebted to the Executive of the Canterbury Women’s Institute for the delightful idea conceived and carried out of convening an assembly of New Zealand women leaders. At the same time steps were being taken by Mrs Eva McLaren, of London, towards the organisation of a National Council for New Zealand, and to this end she had asked Lady Stout to act as President, and Mrs Sheppard as corresponding secretary till such time as New Zealand women would be able to draw up their own constitution and to elect their own officers. The coming Convention at Christchurch furnished the desired opportunity, and it was