WOMEN’S SOCIETIES

White Ribbon, Volume 3, Issue 34, 1 April 1898, Page 9

WOMEN’S SOCIETIES

Canterbury Women’s Institute. —At a meeting of this Society, held on March 25th, a discussion took place on education. A paper was read by Miss Percy, and Miss Hain spoke at some length. The President, Mrs Wells, summarised her ideas on the subject in the following report, which she submitted to the Institute, and which was adopted : —(1) That a much larger portion of time should be given to reading and exposition in our public schools. (2) That instead of the long list of geographical names and uninteresting facts and figures, geographical readers containing lessons descriptive of the country, life and habits of the various peoples be used. (3) That historical readers containing lessons dealing with the history of the life of people at various parts of their story should supersede the recital of unconnected dry facts. (4) That science readers should supersede the bare) lecturettes given on science’. (5) That the taste of the children should be cultivated by graduated readers containing extracts from our noblest thinkers. (6» That power of expression should be diligently cultivated by frequent verbal para-

phrase of the various studies. (7) That grammar should be taught as having a vital connection with speech, and that composition be considered the chief end to be aimed at. (8) That much more attention should be given to the aesthetics of the schoolroom ; reprints of high-class paintings, replicas of statues, and quotations from the great world philosophers should adorn the rooms. (9) That our pupil teachers should be pupil teachers in reality, acting only under supervision, and having much more free time for study. (10) That the classss are too large, debarring the teacher from giving the individual attention each child requires. y ii) That a higher attainment of education than that now afforded by the Fourth Standard be compulsory on all children, and that the Secondary Schools be concurrent with the Primary Schools. (12) That public central Technical Schools be established. (13) 1 hat the Art Schools should afford free education to the children who have passed out of the schools. 114' That classes for scientific instruction be free, and that practical help be afforded to such of our youth as desire to prepare for an agricultural career. (15) That schools of mines be free, so that our miners may participate in the benefits ot the latest scientific discoveries. (16) That the Industrial Schools Act be amended so as to include within its scope the children of paients who are vicious or criminal. (17) That it is absolutely essential for a Christian State to keep its orphaned ar.d neglected children beyond the age of fourteen, and to prepare such children for the work that seems most suited for each. (18) That a free university course is essential for all who desire to qualify as teachers. (19) That in every centre a lady should lie appointed by the State to act on behalf of the neglected children, such lady to be in communication with the truant officer, Charitable Aid Hoard officials, police and philanthropic organisations : (1) To enforce regular attendance at school and to provide clothes and books for the children of the merely unfortunate parents. (2) To have the children of the vicious and criminal committed to State homes. (3) That the staffs of our industrial schools should consist of men and women of high culture. Auckland Women’s Political Reform League.- A Society bearing this title was formed in Auckland on March 29th. Mrs Johnston was appointed president. The objects for which the League has been formed are—(a) To

stand together as women, apart from all considerations of class or party ; ( b) to inculcate the doctrine that moral and industrial worth is the true standard of individual and national greatness; (c) to stimulate patriotism and national sentiment; (d) to secure the right of the majority of electors who record their votes to control the sale of alcoholic liquors as a heverage and the suppression of gambling ; (e) to secure to the workers of both sexes equal wage for equal services, the full enjoyment of the wealth they have created, and sufficient leisure wherein to develop their intellectual, moral and social faculties; (f) to insist upon justice for women by the abrogation of ail laws which bear unequally upon them, and to urge the enactment of one moral and statutory code for man and woman alike. The League is described by its members as “ a number of unselfish women willing to assist in the purification of public life. ” Southern Cross Society.— A special meeting of the Southern Cross Society was held. Correspondence was read from the Minister of Justice acknowledging resolution of Society re female Visiting Justices and Assistant Inspector of (iaols —Secretary intimated that, as programmes of N.C. meeting had not been received by Society, she had written to Secretary of Council to send them. unanimously,“Thatthe Southern Cross Society regrets the retirement from political life of so able and upright a statesman as Sir Robert Stout and desires to place on record its appreciation of his valuable services to the country. It was decided to support Mr Duthie’s candidature for the Wellington byeelection. Society for Protection of Women and Children. A meeting of the Executive of the Society was held on the 3rd of February. Correspondence wasreadfrom Miss Porter, Sec. N.Z.S PAY. & C. giving an account of the method of procedure of the Auckland Society in dealing with certain cases. The Rev. Chas. Murray (Carterton) wrote re overworking of Country School Children and the lack of parental training in morality, &c. Mr J. R. lilair wrote accepting office as one of the Trustees of the Society. One of the canvassers, Miss Boughton, wrote a report of her work and success during the last month. The amount collected was not much as Miss Houghton had been sen usly ill with influenza, but she had succ 1 ded in securing many promises of suppcit for the Society. The member-

ship cf the Society new numbers about 80 and manv donations have been received. The Society hope to be able to open a Girls’ Club in the beginning of Winter.