Legal and Parliamentary.

White Ribbon, Volume 15, Issue 167, 17 May 1909, Page 8

Legal and Parliamentary.

I )enr Sisters—

Several months ago I wrote a letter to the White Rihhon urging all superintendents in this department to send in reports to me, with the result that I received three, from Christchurch, New Plymouth, and Lyttelton. The Christchurch work was embodied in tlie following resolutions: — 1. “ Urging the introduction of single desks into new schools, and additions to schools, believing that the old style of desks w as responsible for physical defects in children.”

2. With reference to neglected rnd destitute children: (a.) “Urging the

State to provide the best possible training and education; (b.j Condemning the boarding out system and recommending the cottage home system; (c.) Urging that a local board composed of men end women elected by popular vote to govern the cottage homes, which would be subject to regular Government inspection.” 3. “ Protesting against statements alleged to have been made by a Mrs A. W. Steele, who represented New Zealand at Women’s Franchise Congress held in Amsterdam. Mrs Steele said that Prohibition was not a success in New Zealand.”

New Plymouth reports but little done owing to the fact that a bye election took place in Taranaki about 18 months before the general election of 1908. At this bye election all three candidates had submitted to them lists of questions affecting women’s welfare, which wore asked at their public meetings and there answered by them. It was deemed unnecessary to these questions again so soon, and questions relating to the drink traffic were asked by non-members of the W.C.T. IT.l T . Members of the W.C.T.U. worked different blocks with literature, and also obtained names for enrolment. This work was doubtless done by all Unions and indeed formed the chief part of last years’ work. Lyttelton reports sending questions to he answered by the two candidates, one of them answering them satisfactorily, the other ignoring them. The lattei did no* get in. .lust before the election “Bare Majority ” petitions were circulated ny some of the I nions, but our Welling.on Union thought it was too late, and that decision was confirmed by theadv.Veof the N Z. Alliance Executive.

The writing of Parliamentary Joltings for the White Riititox has been mvchi f work. There is not a large field for work in this department although I think I am right iii claiming much good work done for several months before the elrction.

C. S. LOW, N. Z. S r I'KKI NT AS DENT.