WOMEN’S SOCIETIES

White Ribbon, Volume 3, Issue 30, 1 December 1897, Page 4

WOMEN’S SOCIETIES

Southern Cross Society.— A meeting of the above Society was held on Nov. Bth A letter was received from Mrs Fleming requesting the Society to pass a resolution of sympathy with the engineers on strike. After discussion the following resolution was carried : Inal the Southern Cross Society expresses its sincere sympathy with the engineers on strike, believing that they are fighting for an object the attainment of which would conduce to the social well-being of humanity. A

letter was read from the secretary of the National Council of the Women of New Zealand, intimating that the Executive of the Council had decided upon six subjects for papers and discussions at the next meeting of the Council Members expressed themselves as disappointed that only two out of the eight subjects submitted by the Southern Cross Society had been chosen. The Secretary then read the Divorce Bill upon which a long discussion took place upon the advisability of making divorce more obtained. Members were unanimously agreed that there should he perfect equality in the provisions of the Bill as applied to men and women, hut were at variance as to desertion clause. No resolution was passed. On November 2? correspondence was read from Sir Maurice O’Rorke in connection with the resolution re Free Admittance to Ladies’ Gallery of the House of Representatives. Mrs Colcleugh, lady lecturer and traveller from America, gave a short account of the Federated Women’s Clubs of America and of the working of the Working Girl’s Clubs. A lady read a paper (selected) the Women’s Charter, which advocated perfect equality in law, morality, and opportunity, for men and women. The Secretary then read the names of fifteen new members who had joined the Society during the last few weeks. It was intimated that the summer vacation would commence after next meeting. From about fifty subjects suggested by the seventeen societies affiliated to the Women’s National Council, six have been selected by the Executive to form subject mattet for papers to be read before the next meeting. Two out of the six have been chosen from those suggested by the Southern Cross Society. This is more than a fair proportion, and the members of the Southern Cross Society have no cause of complaint.— Ed]

Canterbury Women’s Institutb.-A general meeting of this Society was held on Dec. 3. Intimation was received that “ Parental Responsibility.” “ Education,” “ Marriage and Divorce,” “ Economic Independence of Married Women “ Some Laws Affecting Women and Children,” “ Treatment of Criminals,” and “ Local Government,” would form material for papers to he read before the Women’s National Council of 1898. Miss Sheriff-Bain proposed that the Institute should give notice of motion to the following effect:

—“This Council deplores the continuous growth of armaments throughout the world ; it sees that the peoples are crushed by ever-increasing military ex. penditure, and that they are alienated from each other by the rivalries of their respective rulers. The Council deprecates any project likely to involve Australasia in the participation of warfare, and strenuously protests against an Imperial consideration of these colonies as a recruiting ground for European militarism.” The proposal was unanimously acceded to. Regret was generally felt that the Institute had been tardy in expressing its thanks to Mr Roche (chairman of the Invercargill Charitable Aid Board), and the colleagues of that gentleman, for their advocacy of women as members of Charitable Aid Boards at the late conference in Wellington. The Secretary was instructed to write and return thanks to those gentlemen on behalf of the Institute. A resolution congratulating Mrs Hendre and all concerned in tlie amicable settlement of the question at issue between the Tailoiesses’ Union and certain employers ot Auckland, was carried and forwarded to Mrs H mire. The question of the unworthy attitude of some members of Parliament with regard to the uvenile Depravity Bill was considered, and the following resolution was unanimously passed: “ l'he Canterbury Women’s Institute notices with regret the levity with which some members of the House approach the Juvenile Deprivity Bill." A sub-cominittee of ten ladies was appointed to consider what further action should he taken to advance the question of tlie legal recognition of the economic partnership of husband and wife. One new member was elected.

Society for the Protection of Women and Children, Wellington. —This Society held a meeting recently, when the rules which had been submitted to a sub-committee for revision were confirmed. The rules of the Auckland Society were adopted, with amendments to suit the local branch. The piincipal objects >d the Society are to prosecute in cases of cruelty, seduction, or excessive violence to women or children ; to give advice and aid to women who have been crueliv treated; to make provision for children where it is found the parents or guardians are not fit persons to have charge of them; to agitate for the improvement of the statute laws with a view to the moie effective protection of women and children ; to organise girls’ classes tor social

intercourse and mutual improvement. The membership has been fixed at ss, and the life membership at £5. Ministers of all denominations and honorary solicitors are to be ex officio members of the committee. The following officers were appointed : President, Mrs Evans ; vice-presidents, Mesdames T. C. Williams and Fell; treasurer, Miss Kirk; hon secretary, Lady Stout (until appointment of paid secretary); committee, Mesdames Hannah, C. H. Izard, Baumber, A. Campbell, Gibbs, F. W. McKenzie, Iloby, Ewart, Capt. Waldie, Miss Glasgow ; trustees, Messrs J. R. Blair, Aitken, Evans, Bell, Tregear (subject to their consent). Those wishing to join the Society are requested to communicate with Lady Stout or members of the committee.