HOME, MOTHER & CHILD.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 21 October 1913, Page 3

HOME, MOTHER & CHILD.

SOCIETY'S PURVIEW. Tlio annual report of the Wellington branch of tlio Society for tho Protection of Women and Children states inter alia that during tho year tlio secretary paid 280 visits, and 419 'havo been received at tho office. Tho letters received numbered 219, and tlioso witten by tho secretary number 377. Wo total number of cases dealt with since the inception of the society is 1020, or which 84 aro noiv cases dealt with during the past year. The honorary solicitors have been consulted in fourteen cases, twelve of which were settled, out of Court, and tlio two, which went into Court were settled in favour of tho society. Hostels for Domestic Science. During the year the society approached the education bodies and women s societies requesting them to co-operate with the societv in asking for a fir 1 " 1 ' from the Macartliv Fund for the establishment of a Chair of Domestic tonomy at Victoria College. M o ®*' °' til® women's societies consented, but a ditferenco of opinion was found amongst tho educational authorities. Tlio Education Board kindly arranged a conference to discuss the proposal, and also to consider the best means of establishing, a thorough'system of instruction in domestic science. The members j of tho societv wero invited to attontl and the conference unanimously elected Mrs. A. R. Atkinson to preside. After an animated discussion a resolution was carried to tho effect that: " The trustees of tho Macarthy Fund' be respectfully requested to allocate money for the establishment of hostels in connection with training colleges for nltonnng nirtlier facilities for practical training m home science, and thus supplement. the training already given at tho tecnni eal schools." A second conference was held afc which a scheme was drawn up in regard to finance buildings, and control, which was to bo forwarded to tlio Macarthy Trustees.' Iwo representatives' of the society aro to bo appointed to the board of control of tho 'Macarthy' School of Domestic Economy." Tho committee feels gratified that the proposal met *itbsuch cordial support, and hopes that the hos tels will soon he established.

Amending the Criminal Code Act. ! Tho committee thanks Mr. Justice Denniston for drawing attention to a serious defect in the Criminal Code Act, which makes it possible tor a man charged with certain assault to evade punishment by declaring that ho believed the girl to be over sixteen jeara of* nee. The committee drew tip a number of resolutions for tho better protection of women and girls, wlucn havo been submitted to all the' women s societies in tho Dominion. With tlia exception of a fow societies, which have dissented, tho resolutions havo been carrid unanimously) and largo meetings by women in Dunedin, Christchurch, JNapier, Nelson, Now Plymouth, W™g a " nui, Pfilmerston North, and lufelding liavo enthusiastically confirmed thoir adoption. They have also been adopted by Australian women's societies. An influential deputation, representing twenty societies, waited upon the I nmo Minister, to request him to bring down legislation on tho lines of the ten resolutions. Tho Prime Minister expressed sympathy with the objects specihed, and promised that something would bo done this session. The committee appointed delegates to join a deputation to tho Hon. H. D. Bell re Government grants to the Girls' Friendly, and Y.W.C.A. Hostels, improvement in the conditions for immigrant girls on shipboard, and protection on landing in iNew Zealand. The committee is pleased to noto that a matron has been appointed to advise and assist new arrivals.

Aiming for the Compion Cood. The committee wishes to express its gratitude and deep satisfaction at the cheerful and ready co-operation of other women's societies in Wellington in its proposals for tho protection or girls, the safeguarding of childhood, ana betterment of homo life. Pleasure is expressed at finding that there is a widespread demand for more protection for women and children, and that New Zealand women are awakening to tho need of securing legislation to prevont evils which aro rampant m older lands. Society's Romedlal Hand. Several cases of gross family matters have come before the committee during tho year. Tho increase m the number of cases of neglwit and »l-tr«at-ment of children is evidence that tho socioty is required, and the number or cases in which women havo sought separation, and subsequently withdrawal their application shows that the socioty is'instrumental in healing breaches,. instead of causing dissension in family lifo, and that the moral influence of tho society is becoming stronger. In© society would again urgo the necessity for an amendment in the law which would givo tho mother of legitimate children equal rights with the father in tho guardianship of her children. Protecting the Children. The committee, in thanking subscribers and the general public for financial support during the past year, wishes to draw attention to the need for continued assistance for the increasing work of the society, which, though working quietly and is or benefit to the most helpless of the community—the children —who . aro defrauded of their right to home and parental protection. In making an ui'gent appeal for subscriptions and donations, tho committee is confident that generous support will bo forthcoming. Society's Finance. The balance-sheet of the society shows an expenditure of £106.125. Bd. during the' year. This leaves a, balance of £7 Bs. 4d. in cash in addition to which there is "a trust account amounting to £17 los. lOd. The maintenance account shows the receipt and disbursement of £268 12s. Bd. during the year.