COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18479, 5 September 1925, Page 6

COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (fuss association ikjeobam.) HAMILTON, September 4. The National Council of Women considered the constitution. other amendments it was decided that the Dominion presidents should not be presidents of branches during their terms of office. . Amongst the remits adopted were the following:— . That in the interests of prisoners generally. and especially women, women should, be appointed to the Prisons Board. , . That the Government be urged to put into effect the recommendations ot the commissioners in tie report upon mental defectives and sexual offenders That the Public Health Department be advised that the Council considers that further measures should be taken to ensure more hygienic mettiods of distributing meat, milk, and bread. That the attention of the Department be again drawn to the Acuities of women travelling with childien atrl travelling alone at the p-nncipal stations, and' at the junctions, owing to difficulty in obtaining porters to deal with their luggage. It « that licenses ibe issued to outside P °That the mother should have equal right/? with the husband in the guardianship of the children. That the Council recommemd an amendment to the marriage laws raising the age of competence to marry to 16 years for both sexes. That the age limit for commitment ot girls to State control be raised to 18 the age of consent be raised from 16 years to 18 years. That in the opinion of the comerence the inadequate housing conditions prevailing, especially in the larger centres, are a direct menace to health and molality. _ "New Zealand has the cleanest Prees in the world, and it is up to us to keep it so," remarked the president-, Miss Mav Kane, during a discussion on a remit by one branch that a protest be sent to the cable PVess Association against an undue preponderance of crime and court cases in their cables. The remit was endorsed. The Council affirmed the principle that women should receive equal pay tor equal work. The following were elected the officers for the nest year President, Mrs J. Cook; secretary, Miss A. Baxten; treasurer, Miss S. E. Jackson; intimation secretary, Dr. Hilda Nc-rth croft, J Next year's conference will be held j in Christchurch. Christchurch Branch. At the monthly meeting of the Christchurch Branch of the National Council of Women there was a full representation of the various societies affiliated. Miss Jessie Mackay addressed the •Council on the Captive Birds Prohibition Bill, and the following resolution was carried the Christchurch Branch of the National Council of Women respectfully urges the Premier to give all facilities for passing the Captive Birds iShooting Prohibition Bill this session, pointing out that New Zealand should not lag behind England, which has long prohibited this cruel and degrading sport.-" It was decided to write a letter of appreciation to ,the management of the Liberty Theatre concerning their action in substituting a comedy suitable for children at their matinee performances recently.