WOMEN’S SOCIETIES.

White Ribbon, Volume 4, Issue 37, 1 July 1898, Page 4

WOMEN’S SOCIETIES.

GiSßOrnk Women’s Political Association. — At the monthly meeting Mrs. Seivwright (President) gave an interesting account of the Women’s National Council, dealing with the various questions debated, and how they were voted upon. At the close Mrs. Seivwright said : “ I should like to say one word with regard to our critics. Of bond fide, well-meant criticism there has been little. I wish there had been more. Our detractors may be divided into two classes. First, those who affect to patronise ; who catch hold of the slightest slip a woman makes, or which some opposing newspaper circulates she has made, and use this as a peg on which to hang their harangues. They wish the women would state definitely what they want, etc., and then proceed to formulate, as if perfectly original, some part of a policy which the women have had before them for years; a policy which every one who has taken the slightest interest in the question knows to have been so before (hem. The other part they declare would be subversive of law and order, would shake society to its foundations, and so on. Hut society moves on placidly and apathetically, as usual, even in the presence of the most drastic reforms of them all. So it will be again. Society is not so easily shaken to its foundations. The second class of our detractors are mere machines for projecting mud. Grant Allen has been showing us all lately what a beautiful thing is mud. Metaphoric mud, too, can be turned to good account. It is not the mud which hurts. It is the evil spirit of the mind which throw's it, and that mind alone must reap the fruit of what it so unkindly, and often so untruly, sow's. What can I say more ? As the women lingered round the table after our last meeting I knew' that in the hearts of very many self-assumed responsibility pressed home, and that in these same hearts, unuttered, because unutterable, the great human need to Help throbbed soft but strong in something like the old-world words, ‘ Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do ?’ To one at least the answer came both quick and clear,

* Go home to your friends and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for you.’ W hat a few earnest women, after long and patient study with willing comrades all over the land, have outlined as their desire to see carried into effect, I have this evening indicated. What meeting with those women and with many more—what the friendly offices, the kindly sympathy and encouragement of as many men—have done for me personally it would be hard to estimate. They have formed the silver lining to every cloud of petty annoyance ; have made me ready to play ball with every lump of mud thrown.” The address was received with warm applause, and the President w r as cordially thanked. Canterbury Women’s Institute.— At the fortnightly meeting it was agreed that Mr G. J. Smith should be asked to bring before Parliament the Institute’s suggestions in reference to the Young Persons Protection Hill, and to introduce a Hill to amend the Industrial Schools Act, so as to provide for classification of children and industrial homes. The proposals arrived at by the Conference on State Farms and Industrial Settlements were laid before the Institute and discussed. As a means of meeting the unemployed difficulty, they were heartily approved; but it was suggested that since the current rate of wages was to be paid to all workers, the stores and other requisites should he supplied at current prices instead of at a small margin above actual cost. A discussion took place on the subject of unionism for women workers. Mrs Isheiwood read a short paper, in which she traced the causes which had driven women more and more into the labour market. She urged that (here should be equal oppoiiunity for both sexes, and equal pay fur qual work, and advocated the organisation of all women workers to this end. In the course of the discussion which followed, it was pointed out that while unionism had done good in the past, it had also been ready to take privileges upon itself. Unless the retaliatory spirit was got rid of, unionism must give way to something better. The case of those engaged in domestic service received considerable attention, and several speakers urged the necessity for special training and for a fixed standard of excellence, so that a uniform rate of pay could be demanded. This would tend naturally to a better standing being given to domestic employment, and to a limit in the hours of labour.

The formation of clubs for girl workers was suggested, the clubs to provide opportunities for training and recreation. The establishment of co-opera-tive homes was also advocated, so that girls out of employment or sick might have a resting place. Some cases of ill-health induced in shop assistants through the practice of constantly standing was brought forward, and the following resolution was passed : “ That the Institute wishes to direct the attention of employers and of the public to the custom of continuous standing practised by shop assistants, which is especially detrimental and often fatal to the health of young women.” It was decided that at the next meeting Mrs Hlake’s paper on “ Free State Agricultural Colleges ” should be read.