HOME, MOTHER & CHILD

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 22 October 1913, Page 3

HOME, MOTHER & CHILD

PROTECTION SOCIETY. THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD. • The sixteenth annual meeting of tho Society for tho Protection of Women and Children was held at the Town Hnll last evening. The Hon. l'\ Jl. J5. Fisher liiesided in the absence of the Hon. A. Li. Hcrdmau, and amongst those present were: The Mayor (Mr. J. P. MlKo), Lady Stout, Mr. J. G. W. Aitkcn, Mr. A. it. Atkinson, Mr. M'Laren, Mrs. C. H. Izard (lion, secretary), Dr. Agnes Bennett, Dr. Platts-Milis. The Hon. I''. M. B. I'isher, in calling on Mrs. Izard to read the annual report (published in yesterday's issue) apologised lor the absence of the Hon. A. L. Herdinan, remarking- that the Tramways Bill, which was of vital importance to the city, was before the House, and that Mr. Hcrdmau was playing a prominent part in its discussion, and was theretore unable to be present- at tho meeting. Lady Stout, in proposing the adoption of the report, stated that tho society had dealt with more cases of neglect of children than fiver before, but fewer in proportion to tho population. Tile society had been availed of by more people than formerly during the year. They had taken up the matter of domestic science, and they hoped as a result of the conference which had been held recently that something definite would soon be done. A number of resolutions had been drawn up for the better protection of women and girls, and she (the speaker) had supported these at meetings held at Duneclin, Christchurch j Napier, Nelson. New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, and I'cilding. The resolutions were supported at all meetings exeept at the meeting of the I'lunket Society at Nelson. A. deputation from twenty societies had waited on the Piy'me Minister, who had expressed sympathy with the resolutions, and promised that something would be done this session. Improved Housing. The Mayor, who seconded the motion to adopt the report, congratulated the society in tho name of the city oh the work done. Wellington, in common with other cities in tho Dominion, would be all the better for some system of improved housing. He was sure that much could bo done in that direction, but during his association with civic life ho had become convinced that a greater benefit could bo brought about by the .co-operation of the civic and national authorities. It was all very well telling the City Council what to do, but that body could not move-in the same progressive manner and strike with the samo solid blow as the national sentiment expressed by Parliament. . In Ireland, 34,000 cottages had been built for the peopfo at a cost of £8,000,000, and 31 out of the 31 rural districts paid 64 per cent, of tho charges. He would like that scheme to bo adopted by State and municipality in co-operation, and lie threw it out as a suggestion to the chairman that when Parliament was difcns/iing town planning and garden cities such a co-opeiratiou would bo helpful. In his opinion, the spirit of industrialism antr commercialism was largely carried on at the sacrifice of their women folk, but he honed they would not let that grow in New Zealand. s "A Monstrous Thing." The report having been adopted', Mr. Aitken' moved the election of Lady Stout as president, remarking, that she had been connected with that society since its inception sixteen years ago. Proceeding, the speaker said that women were regarded as the weaker sex, and yet their laws favoured the stronger sex and covered up their wrong-doing. That was a monstrous thing, and the Government would be well advised if it brought about a change, in that respect. Officers Elected. The election having been unanimously agreed to, 3lr. A. R. Atkinson moved the election of Mrs. W. A. Evans, Mrs. C. H. Izard, -Mrs. Ponsonby, Mrs. A. Hoby, as vice-presidents. Speaking of the value of tho work done by that society, Mr. Atkinson remarked that it was the theory of a certain school of theologians that people were bora bad and made themselves worse, but he preferred to think that children were, born good and should have the opportunity of remaining so. Dr. Agnes Bennett proposed the election of the following committco: —Mrs. J. Kirkcaldie (treasurer), Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. Sprott, Mrs. T. C. Williams, Mrs. .T. R. Glasson, Mrs. M'Gavin, Sirs. Corrigan, Mrs. W. F. rWard, Mrs. Winder, Rev. Mother Mary Joseph Aubcrt, Dr. Platts-Mills, Mrs. Glover, Mrs.'.M'Laren. Miss Coates, Miss E. B. Brown. Miss Stewart, Mrs. Luke, Mrs. C. Richardson, Mrs. Cliatfield, Miss Denton, Miss' Parlane, Mrs. F. M. B. Fislier, Mrs. Hadficty, and Mrs. T. G. Maca.rthy. ' ■ Mr. D. M'Laren proposed the election of tho following officers: —Hon. solicitors, Messrs. A. R. Atkinson, H. D. Bell, C. H. Izard, J. Logan Stout, H. Cooper (Palmerston North), Field, T. C. A. Hislop, Myers, Morison. Young, Webb, R- F- Smith, G. H. Fell, G. Lloyd (Danne('irke), T. Neave, O. E. Stout, and S. A. Atkinson; hon. physicians, Dr. E. Platts-Mills, Dr. Agues Bennett, Dr. Alice Collie, Dr. Mackenzie, and Dr. Kate JHogg: trustees, Messrs. J. G.' W. Aitl<en, H. D. Bell, J. R. Blair, and E. Trcgcar, and the Rev. W. A. Evans A vote of thanks- to the nress / and City Council was passed on the motion of Dr. Platts-Mills, and a similar voto accorded to the chairman _ and the retiring officers, on the motion of Mrs. Izard, concluded the meeting.