WOMEN’S SOCIETIES.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 65, 1 October 1900, Page 3

WOMEN’S SOCIETIES.

Gisborne Women’s Political Association. —The annual meeting of this Association was held on Sept. 21st, the President be*ng in the chair. I'he Secretary presented her report, which contained the following A s< ries of questions had been arranged in Nov. last for submission to Parliamentary candidates. Mrs Scott was elected delegate to the National Council of Women hel ! in Dunedin in May, but owing to illness was obliged to resign. Mrs Williams, of Christchurch, acted is proxy delegate. On the arrival of Mrs Sievwright’s copy of the transactions of the International Council, Mrs Sigley kindly placed her sitting-room at the disposal of the Association for readings from these interesting volumes. These meetings were much appreciated, six having been held. In June last the Association forwarded a resolution to the Premier praying for the removal of women’s disabilities. Resolutions had also been forwarded to the Minister for Justice and the member for the district re —(l) Inspection of all institutions and homes to which wards of the State are or may be committed ; (j) wi.h regard to the better temporary ac commodation of the insane, or alleged insane, before their final removal to

asylums; (3) to the Premier and member for the district with regard to the abandonment in Committee of the Removal of Women’s Disabilities Bill by the House of Representatives. In reply to the latter resolution, which characterised the manner in which the Bill was discussed as unworthy and illogical, and urging the Premier to make it a Government measure, the Premier replied that “asdie House had already rejected the Bill he did not think it likely that a similar measure would be accepted.” It was alleged that the Premier had said that women did not want it. Mr McGuire, of Ilawera, had done good service in asking that the Bill should he made a Government measure, and Mr Ward’s (Acting Premier! cavalier reply, “That the Government had no intention of intro ducing such a measure, so that his honourable friend could go on with his able championship of the cause of women, ’ was adversely commented on by the Association. The report was adopted. Mrs Sievwright was unanimously re-elected President, and Mrs Sigley Vice-President ; the Secretary and Committee being the same as last year. Mrs Sievwright said that in connection with the Disabilities ques tion, it would perhaps be news to some th it when marriage with a deceased wife’s sister became legal, marriage with a deceased husband’s brother remained in the same position as before. Not realising this anomaly, many people throughout the colony married under the latter conditions, and their children would come under the stimuli of illegitimacy. Mrs Pox proposed that a petiiion for the removal of women’s disabilities should he issued, and a “from door-to-door ” canvass made all over the colony. Eventually, however, it was agreed to take no further steps in the meantime.

Christchurch Women’s Political Association. The annual meeting of the Women’s Political Association was held on Tuesday evening, in Cathedral Chambers. There was a good atten ’ ince of members. Mrs Gunner brief!;, reviewed tlie work clone by the association since its inception, seven years ago, saying that it was the oldest political association of women in the colony, and also that it had always worked, not in the interests of legislation for a sex alone, but for legislation generally. Among other desirable measures passed which the Association had consistently advocated were those dealing with old age pen-

sions and the payment of apprentices. The appointment of a matron to the police depot had also been supported by the Association, and it was through its representations that a sitting-room had been set aside at Sunnyside for the sole use of the women nurses during recreation hours. The President read an article which appeared in the Lvttelton limes , recently, dealing with the Premier s attack on Mr Collins, senior member for Christchurch. A motion was passed to the efiect th it the Association desired to place on record its disapproval of the Premier's treatment of those members ot his party who ventured to differ from him in matters before tin* House. Another motion, “ That the Secretary he instructed to convey to Mr Collins the sympathy of the Association upon the treatment recently received by him from the Premier,” was also carried.

Wanganui Women’s Political League.— A meeting was held at the Borough Council Chambers, Mrs Williamson (President) in the chair. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Borough Council for the use of the room. The following resolutions were carried unanimously, Mesdames Bullock, Williamson, Smith, Pownall and Newcombe taking part in the discussion :—(1) That in the opinion of this League there are women in this colony whose education and abilities preeminently tit them for successful public work; (2) that in their own best interests communities should combine to insist on the removal of the civil and political disabilities which at present hinder women from offering their services in public capacities; (3) that in the opinion of the Wanganui Women’s Political League the treatment accorded the Removal of Women’s Disabilities Bill during the current session was such as reflected little honour upon the Representative Chamber; (4) that the women of this League bind themselves to make the removal of women’s civil and politi al disabilities a test question at every election until the reform is achieved, and that by circular from this League all kindred societies in the colony be urged to do likewise. It was decided to forward these resolutions to the Government and the member for the district.