WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 106, 1 November 1933, Page 7

WOMEN AND CHILDREN

INTERESTS PROTECTED

WORK OF SOCIETY

That the foresight and good manage-, ment of the pioneer members had made it possible for the Society for the Protection of Women and Children to weather the present difficult times, was shown in the report, which was presented at last ■night's annual meeting, held in the "Evening Post" building. Mrs. G. E, Hunter presided, and extended greetings to. Mrs. M.. H. Chatfield, J.P., and Miss Telfer, who had returned after some months' absence. INCREASE OF WORK. The report stated that last June the executive took the opportunity to make a change into more convenient offices. The increase in space and privacy had proved one of the bright spots of the year, particularly to the secretary, Miss C. Kirk, whose work had considerably increased owing to the fact that for economic reasons they had had no assistant secretary for nearly two years. The thanks and congratulations of the committee were due to her for the success of the work. The fine standard of work had been maintained, cases having been attended to as follows: —New cases, 305; office calls, 2358; visits-paid, 443; letters received, 494; letters sent, 705. The committee accepted with icgret the resignation of Mrs. Frazcr ■ from tho executive The society also lost two other staunch supporters by the deaths of Mrs. Kirkealdie, who had been for many years an active member, and Mr. McNeil, S.M., whose sympathy with and interest in the work had been deeply appreciated. Thanks were extended to all who had given generous help. After tho adoption of the repoTt ami balance-sheet, amendments and alterations te the society's rules wcro discussed and adopted. NEW OFFICERS. Officers for the ensuing year . were elected as follows: —President, Mrs. M. H. Chatfield, J.P.; vice-presidents, Mesdames Harley-Brown, Fordo; Glover, and Montgomerit; treasurer; Mrs. Line; advisory committee,. Lady McGavin, Dr. Pl'atts-Mills, Mesdames Harry, Price, Macarthy Beid, and Misses BagIcy, P'arlane, and Telfer; committee, Mesdames O'Shea, Wright, Blair, Dallard. Peryman, Hunter, Johnson, Jones, Lawson, arid Miss B. Dowling; lion, auditor, Mr. E. J. Archibald; ' lion, trustees, Sir Francis Bell, Mesesrs. Archibald, Atkinson, Hoby, and A. H. Hoby; hon. solicitors, Messrs. Bishop, Atkinson, Cooper (Palmerston North), Cornish, Fell (Nelson), Herd, Lloyd (Daunevirke), McGregor ' (Palmerston North), Do la Maro (Hamilton), Boilings, V. J. B. Stevenson, B. Webb, West-Walker, and.Wood (Napier); lion, physicians, Dr. Agnes Bennett, Dr. Sylvia Chapman, Dr. Christina Findlater, Dr. Ada Paterson, Dr. • RlattsMills, Dr. D. Stout, Dr. B. Stout, and Dr. Young. WOMEN'S WORK ABROAD. The newly-elected president, Mrs. Chatfieldj expressed much pleasure at rejoining the work of the. society. In this, she said, she saw a large increase, and sho urged'the great necessity for acquiring immediate financial support. Speaking of her trip to South Africa and England; Mrs. Chatfield said she had looked into the work done by women in both countries, and had discovered that the extent of women's work in New Zealand compared very favourably Arrangements for-the care of .delinquents were, in Mrs. Chatfield's opinion, very behindhand in South Africa. In that country, however, there was much work done by voluntary workers, outside the work of any organised society. While in London she had visited the interior of Scotland Yard, and had met Miss Peto, the head of • the Women Police, who gave interesting details of the work done by her "force," and who spoke with pleasure of a promised increase in numbers. There seemed to be no improvement in the English Courts, said Mrs. Chatfield. They .were still open, and, as far as she could see, no privacy was possible. She had inquired into the questions which raised similar difficulties in England and New Zealand, such as the raising of the marriage age, the improving of the standard.of films, etc., paying special attention to picture posters. In South Africa the posters were very artistic, and nowhere there or in England did she see posters, such as those that disfigured the towns of ■ New Zealand. At Olyinpia, she had seen a wonderful exhibition of poster art, most of the exhibits being executed by well-known artists. • A visit to the House of Commons (with its women members as well ,as men) was described by Mrs. Chatfield, who concluded her address with a remark that one thing that had pleased her very much in England was that everywhere she had been offered New Zealand butter and apples. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the retiring president, after which supper was served.