International Press Committees.

White Ribbon, Volume 8, Issue 88, 1 September 1902, Page 3

International Press Committees.

The Press Committee Bulletin of the International Council of Women contains a number of interesting items. The National Council of the U.S.A. held its meeting in Washington in February. Miss Susan B. Anthony, whose 82nd birthday was lately celebrated, was present, and was greeted with cheers and applause. Miss Clara Barton, President of the Red Cross Society, gave an address on “ Patriotism.” The Rev Anna Shaw’s address on “ Ethics of Civilisation,” and the

Rev Anna Garlin Spencer’s on “ Social Reform,” were notable features. Mrs William Ivas Helmuth, of New York, was elected President. The National Suffrage Convention, which also met in February, attracted much attention on account of its international character. The delegates from England, Canada, Norway, Australia, Chili, the Philippines, Sweden, Germany, and Russia were cordially received by the audiences and the Press. An International Committee was appointed, with Miss Anthony as chairwoman. to take steps to form an International Suffrage Association at Berlin in 1904. At the last meeting of the National Council of Canada, an address of love and loyalty was sent to Queen Alexandra, signed by 25,000 names. A box of ivy leaves from Haddo House, for badges for the delegates, was received from the Countess of Aberdeen. Lady Taylor is the President, and the Countess of Minto Hon. President. The Council of Argentina reports that four young women have received their diplomas as Doctors of Philosophy and Letters. The National Council of Great Britain and Ireland is moving in the direction of removing women’s disabilities. Among the subjects discussed were the desirability of women serving on the London Borough Councils and Education bodies. The Council desires police matrons to be appointed, deplores the law permitting children to be served with liquor in public houses, and urges a bill for the education and supervision of midwives. Lady Battersea is president and Miss Jones secretary. The National Council of Holland reports that the Bureau of Information for women’s labour is doing good work. A great petition, asking for the suppression of houses of ill-fame, is being prepared. Representation has been made, with good results, in regard to the overworked and underpaid telephone girls. A home for girls and one for lady teachers have both become popular and useful. The National Council of Denmark reports having sent a petition to Parliament, asking that sick clubs which give help to their members during confinement may have three-fourths of such expenses reimbursed. The Information Bureau of the Council has set apart a special time for giving fiee advice to such women. A Church Bill was introduced in the Lower House, proposing to give men

and women over twenty-five years equal suffrage in the new vestries. It proposed to exclude domestic servants. The maid-servants therefore held crowded meetings, protesting against their exclusion, and sent a petition to the Folkthring. The agitation proved successful, and the maid-servants are to have a vote. Lady Havelock has accepted the position of president of the Tasmanian National Council. At the last meeting much interest was aroused by a valuable address by Dr. Mary Booth, on the advantages of teaching anatomy and physiology to the upper classes of girls’ schools. The National Council of Switzerland has sent a petition to the Government, asking for amendments to the laws in justice to women. The President, Mile. Helene von Muiinen, is giving much attention to the improvement of the penal laws concerning persons under age. A National Council has been formed in Victoria, representing twenty-seven societies. Mrs A. Watson Lister is the secretary.