WOMEN IN CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9013, 24 December 1907, Page 6

WOMEN IN CONFERENCE.

The first Commonwealth conference of the Women's Anti-Socialistic Organisation was held in Melbourne. Lady Clarke, president of the Australian /Women's National League, presided. All the States, with the exception of Western Australia, were represented. At one stage of the proceedings nearly 1,000 ladies' were present. Miss Ogg, organising secretary of the Queensland Women's Electoral League, read a paper on immigration. She said that before very long, by persisting in the policy advocated by men who called themselves white workers' friends, Australia would not be in a position to say who should or should not come in. She moved, "That in the opinion of this conference the necessity of the encouragement of an immediate and reasonable system of immigration is of paramount importance, and deserves the active support of all organisations represented atV this, conference." The motion was carried..

Mrs Molyneux Parkes. /Women's Liberal League, Sydney), said that while in New South Wales they thought, while a white Australia was extremely desirable from a race point of view, it would not be advisable from an industrial aspect. (Cheers). She thought that there was a way of settling the question, though it might be thought impracticable. She advocated that the colour line be drawn, not quite as far south as the tropical regions, perhaps, but taking in the greater ; part of the tropics, South of that line no coloured person should be allowed. The importation of coloured' people, subjects of the King, should be encouraged, but they should be brought with their wives and families. No single coloured man should be admitted. She moved: "That while this conference approves of the'"'. principle of l a white Australia, from a racial' point of view, it considers the importation of coloured labour is necessary for the development of tropical territory." ' '■'•■". -

Other speakers expressed a great deal of sympathy for the kanaka, and regret that they should' have been deported. The ' motion was agreed to. Lady ,Downer (South' Australia) read a paper written by Mr Percival Stow, of South Australia, on the sub- / ject of "Individualism versus Socialism ; how we can best foster the for- • mer and curb theilatter." On the motion of Lady Downer it was agreed that in the opinion of this'conference members of the women's leagues throughout Australasia should resent ■ undue Government interference with private enterprise. Mrs Leslie G. Gorrie, of Queensland, read a paper on the subject of "Infant Life Protection." She moved that the conference places on record the desirability of co-ordination of existing Acts for the protection of inftitit fife. The motion was carried. Mrs Jenkins (People's Reform League, Sydney), read a paper on th« "Adulteration of Foods.", She moved, "That this conference views with concern the adulteration of foods and recommends the respective organisations represented to do all in their power to, introduce legislation df a preventive character." The motion was agreed to. Members ot! the conference on behalf of their leagues pledged them:kilve3 to the encouragement of Em-dii-e Day commemoration, and to do ,'all in their power to perpetuate its , fitting celebration.