PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2609, 3 November 1915, Page 3

PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

AN ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women ami Children was held in No. 1 Committee Room at the Town Hall last evening, and was presided over by the Hon. J. 0. W. Aitkeiij M.L.C.

ill opening the meeting the chairman oppressed the pleasure Jie felt at presiding, but regretted that there should be such an evident necessity for the work of the society. He also expressed regret that the secretary, Mrs. Belworthy, was not able to bo present owing to ill-health, and referred to the valuable worl: she had done in connection with the organisation. Apologies from the Prime Minister, the Hon. A. L. Herdman, Lady Stout, and several others for their unavoidable absence wore read. 'flie annual report and balancc-sheot, published in yesterday's issue, ivere read by Mrs. A. I?. Atkinson, duly moved, seconded, and adopted. The.first speaker of the evening was the llev. Dr. Kennedy Elliott, who said that from what he knew of the society,_ and what ho had seen of its work, it had fully justified its existence. It deserved every help and encouragement that' could be given it, and he was sure it would do greater work in the future. In the early days of its existence he had regarded it not with a hostile mind, but with rather a doubtful one. However, on becoming closer acquainted with it ho was of the opinion that it was needed, and it was able to give advice in cases of extreme difficulty. He was very much of the opinion that the scope of the society's work should be extended to the supervision of the committed children, as the homes in which they were sometimes domiciled were not always altogether what they should be. Mr. M . Allan, who was next called upon to speak, endorsed all that had been said concerning the usefulness of the society. He thought it was too quiet and unassuming in its attitude. In referring to the boarded-out children he did not think that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was so 'able to look after them as would be'such a society as the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. Being ft women's society it would bring more sympathy and understanding to bear upon such a matter as that. Mr. Allan also protested against uncensored moving picture shows and he thought the society might take tlie matter up. Later Mr. Allan moved a resolution to the effect that ' 'This meeting approach the Minister of Internal Affairs and urge, the censorship of moviiiE picture shows." The resolution was seconded and a discussion following it was suggested that if the managers were approached in a cordial manner a satistactory understanding in the matter might be arrived at. Other speakers, agreed with this, and Atkinson thought that just as much would be gained by a private censoring as by appealing to the law. found that there were manacers who would take pictures off if appealed to, and if people were stirred up to see tlio evil that was done'by uiideeu able pictures much could be done in the matter.

A vote of thanks to Mrs. Waters for acting as secretary, in the absence of Jlrs. Belworthy, concluded the meeting.

Iho patroness of the*society is Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, iho following officers were elected;— President, Lady Stout; vice-prcsidcnts. Mesdames W. A. Evans, C. H. Izard, A. 11. Atkinson, A. Hoby; hon. trea--surer, Mrs. J. Ivirkcaldio; secretary, Mrs. Belworthy j committee Mesdames G. Pousonby, Sprott, T. 0. Williams, J. R. GJasson, Al'Gaviii, Corrigan, W. F Ward, Winder, Glover, M'Laren, Luke! G. .Uichardson, Chatfield, F. M. B. Fisher, W. Macarthy Reid, Rev. Mother Aubert, Dr. Platts-Mills, Misses Coatcs, Stcvart. Parlane, Inglish; trustees, tho Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, Sir Francis licll, Messrs. 'W. Allan, E. Tregear, and Key. W. Evans; hon. solicitors, Mr. A. R, Atkinson, Sir Francis Bell, Messrs. C. Izard, Smith, J. Logan, Stout, H. Cooper (Palmerston North), Field, T. C. A. Ilislop, Myers, Morison, Young, Webb, 11. F. Smith, G. H. Fell, G. Lloyd (Dannevirke), T. Neavc, 0. E. Stout, S. A. Atkinson, 0. R: Fell (Nelson), F A. do la Mare (ftannevirkc), W\. G. Wood (Napier); hon. physicians, Drs. Platts-Mills, Agnes Bennett, Gow, Mackenzie, Campbell Ncill, It-. Stout. 'M'Cahon.