WOMEN'S WORK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2916, 31 October 1916, Page 3

WOMEN'S WORK

PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

CARE OP THE DISTRESSED

The annual report of tho Society for tlio Protection of Women and Children, has been published. Following aro some oxtracts' from tho report of tho commitfceo: — ' ,

"Your committee is grateful, on hehalf of the wives and children, 7or the adequate provision which has now beon made by the Government for men joining, tho Expeditionary; Force, their wives and children (legitimate and illegitimate), or any relatives dependent upon them. The ( statutory provision making it necessary for a man to obtain . the consent of his wife, (as in Canada), which was urged by your committee, and the exemption from active service of married men with families dependent upon them, meets with the approval of your committee. "Your committee secured evidence from tho Church of England}. Salvation Army, arid other maternity homes, which proved that tho majority of illegitimate children were bora to girls between the ages of 17 and 20. No evidence of any cases of blackmail or attempted blackmail having been brought by girls under the age of 21 could be obtained. Your committee hopes to secure the co-operation of other women's societies in securing a further extension of tho ago of protection of girls. Your committoo is pleased to report that there is no evidence that war conditions have increased illegitimacy, or that there are, any cases attributable to soldiers that would not have developed in ordinary times.

. "In the experience of your committee most of the cases of cruelty and neglect of 'children and unsatisfactory homes are attributable to the drinking habits of the parents.

"Your committee is pleased to report that in many cases men who have been neglectful of their responsibilities, when joining the Expeditionary Force, have 'voluntarily made provision for their wives and children.

"Your committee regrets that owing to the war reforms for tho protection of women and children, such as policewomen, women jurors, women justices, and women visiting justices to prisons, have not received l attcntion"in Parliament.

"Your committee Tecords with great satisfaction tho establishment ,of a home for defective girls by the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education, a much-needed institution, which has been.urged by the society for nearly twenty years. The appointment of a censor for picture films, -which your committee, has pressed, is matter for satisfaction, though the lassistanco of a woman censor is necessary to secure" the results which are desired.

"During the year a deputation of women organised by your- committee waited upon the Minister of Health in connection with the detention of soldiers suffering from venereal diseases. The Minister assured the deputation that every precaution would bo taken to prevent tho spread of disease. Unfortunately the proposals mado in the War Regulations do not meet with the' approval of the women's:' organisations, which consider that they are inimical to the health and morals of tho community. »

|. "Your committee, in thanking subscribers and "the general public for I financial support during the past j'oar, wishes to draw attention to the need for continued assistance for tho increasing work of tho society,, which, though working quietly "and is of bonefit to tho most helpless of the community—the children—who are deprived of their right to homo and parental protection. In making an urgent appeal for subscriptions audi donations the committee is confident that generous Mrpport will be forthcoming at this time, when tho conservation of child lifo is of more importance for tho future of our- Empire than it has ever been in, tho past."