THE WOMEN'S CHARTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 24, 29 September 1913, Page 8

THE WOMEN'S CHARTER.

At the Burns Hall, Dunedin, or Wednesday afternoon, Lady Stout addressed a meeting of "women only' on various matters affecting their social, physical, and economic conditions. The following topics were discussed by her in a well-thought-cu! address (states the Star), and at th; close resolutions approving of legislation being demanded on the line? mentioned below were approved:— That the age of consent be raised, and that the man be held responsible for knowing the age of the girl. In the case of assault from guardian: and employers, that the age of consent 1)0 not less than 21 years.

That the marriage age be raised to 1G years for jfirls, and 18, years for. boys.

That boys up to 18 years,, of age be protected frpm-solicitation,. it That the punishment :for, indecenl assau|t on feeble-minded girls hs-, made more severe, irrespective. c,f age.

That in cases of women who have had one or more illegitimate children, farm colonies should be provided for them.

That the limit in which information must be laid before a Magistrate in cases of indecent assault,;.be extended to af,least,a yeai;-; /-Before the responsibility of,nuiinterir.nce Jiaa been forced on the girl she do.es not realise what it means, and seeks to shield the man.) That when an accused man brings a friend or friends to swear to immoral relations with a giri, both or all should bear, the share of the maintenance.

That power h? granted by a Magistrate to an employer to deduct fees from a man's .wages, either for a wife or illegitimate children, (This is at present done in the cases of fines against Territorials.) That a woman inspector should he appointed for women, with the same power as men inspectors, and that some of the women visitors should be made justices of the peace, as in the case of men visitors. That women doctor.-; should be appointed to mental hospitals, and should attend to the women's side.