WOMEN'S CONVENTION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 May 1901, Page 3

WOMEN'S CONVENTION.

[per press association] Wanganui, May 18. At to-day's sitting of the National Council of Women, papers were read on "Some defects on the Primary School System " and " Party Government." The following resolutions were carried :

"That the Council views with dissatisfaction the manifest inefficiency of the New Zealand Parliament as an instrument for readily obtaining beneficial legislation or administration." The Council is of opinion that in order to effect any real improvement in party methods the House of Representatives should elect the members of the Cabinet who shall thus Be made individually and directly responsible and removable by the House. The Council is further of

opinion that each member of the House should be free to act according to the wishes of his constituents or dictates of conscience and should not be a mere slave of his party." "That the Council urges upon the Gov.

ernment the necessity of introducing a Bill providing for the application of an initiative and referendum on all questions of social importance." "That Government be asked to bring in a Bill which shall ensure a majority representation.''

"That to mitigate the evils which arise

from the present system of appointment [ to the Civil Service a Board should be appointed directly by the House of Representative? such board to have sole power to appoint all civil servants.*' "That system of Party Government in New Zealand has many evils connected with it and is entirely unsuited to the circumstances of the Colony." On Saturday the election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mrs Sievwright; Vice-Presidents, Mesdames Sheppard, Atkinson, Daley and Wells ; Secretary, Miss Henderson ; Treasurer, Mrs Williamson ; Representatives on Standing Committees of the International Council (laws concerning domestic relations) Mrs Sievwright; (Press) Mrs Wells; (peace and arbitration) Miss Sherriffbain.

The following resolutions were carried; —That this Council is of opinion that in cases where men and women are engaged in the same work either in the employ of Government or private individuals equal wage should be paid for equal work. That the legal recognition of the economic independence of married women is desirable for the attainment of justice and for the furtherance of truer marriage relationship. That it is the opinion of this Council the

time has come when all disabilities which at present hinder women from sitting as members of either of the Houses of Legislature, orfrom being elected orappointed to any public office or "position in the Colony, should be removed; and: That with regard to all powers, rights and duties of citizens absolute equality should be the law of the land; that this Council approach the Premier and represent to him that the most sincere tribute that could be paid to the memory of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria would be the removal of all disabilities of the women of this Colony as a recognition of her beneficent rule.