PROGRESS.

White Ribbon, Volume 30, Issue 356, 18 March 1925, Page 8

PROGRESS.

(A paper read at the meeting of the Warkworth VV.C.T.U.)

Mrs Morrison spoke of the past sixty years and held that a thoroughly sound education was most essential that progress should be maintained.

This world is teeming with opportunities for our advancement and wealth, if we only have sufficient knowledge to grasp and grapple with them. Knowledge gives the power to dip deep into the things that are of use to ourselves and the world generally. Experience also counts much, and is but knowledge gained in the best of schools, i.e.,—life. The speaker expressed her pleasure that England was at last sincerely trying to do away with the slum areas. Quoting largely from the Herald leader of January 24th, in regard to a discussion between Britain’s Minister for Health, Mr Neville Chamberlain and a deputation from the London Municipal Society. Many things were discussed between these men, about “these sordid circumstances which were enough to turn sober-minded men and women into flaming -rusaders on behalf of beleagured humanity. In 1874. a committee was appointed to make an inspection—room by room—of a selected region of St. Giles, London. A hundred families, totalling 463 persons, were found to possess in all, 90 beds. Many rooms were found to be inhabited by as many as 22 persons.” “Between 1890 and 1900, Charles Booth recorded similar conditions and sadly confessed that action in regard to the slums was difficult, and reform slow.” ‘The abolition of this evil in the heart of Britain and other countries, remains the great task lying beneath the hand of creative statemanship to-day.’ Mrs Morrison spoke of women in regard to progress. Of their work in the home and outside of the home; of the important part they are playing in all branches of work, as teachers, lawyers, doctors, designers, etc.; of their work as police in our big cities, in helping to save women and children; of the part they were

taking in Parliament and all affairs for the betterment of humanity. Speaking too, of the very serious decline of the birthrate in N.Z. and its disgrace to the Nation; “for it is to be feared that a selfish love of ease and narrowness of vision have something to do with it—that the cause of a falling birthrate lies deep,” Placing against it the large families of the pioneers, who were brought up under great hardships and difficulties. Yet they grew into manhood to be a credit to their parent’s up bringing, and to their country in almost every Instance. Do you think the way made smooth is progressive? asked, the speaker. No such thing! we must set the good example that we can overcome obstacles that stand in our way—that women must try to make the world a better place for her children to inherit.

A discussion took place on several points of especial interest and Mrs Morrison was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for her address.