WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 113, 30 March 1897, Page 3

WOMEN'S NATIONAL COUNCIL

ChhistCHURCK, Friday. At the Women's Council this afternoon, Mrs Bulloch (Wanganui) presided. Miss Hookham read a paper advocating the abolition of Tarty Government, the gradual abolition of the Upper House by cessation of appointments, and the institution of an elective executive. After considerable discussion a motion, " That tin's Council is of opinion that the system of Party Government has many evils connected with it, and is not sailed lo the circumstances of the colony," was carried by nine to five. A motion " That this Council approves of the proposal f«r an elective executive as a remedy," was carried by ten to four. A motion " that the Council is also of opinion that some reform is necessary in the constitution nfthe Legislative Council," was carried unanimously. Mrs Daldy spoke, urging the removal of all civil and political disabilities from women. It was carried unanimously that the time has come when all dia ability which at present hinders women from sitting as members of either House of Legislature, or being elected, or appointed to any public or private position in the colony should be removed, and that with regard to all powers, rights, and duties of citizens absolute equality be the law of ihe land for both men and women. A letter was received fiom Miss Dalrymple (Wellington), suggesting that the Queen should be requested to found an Order of the Bath or Star of India, to be bestowed on women subjects of the Sovereign. It was decided to reply, that the conferring of honors on subjects of the Queen only, is contrary to the cosmopolitan spirit that had led to_ the initiation of the international council of women, with which this Council hopes to affiliate. Sunday. At the Women's Council, on Saturday night, it was agreed that an address be presented to the Queen congratulating her on her Diamond Jubilee ; also, that the Government be requested to introduce a Bill preventing nurses in State hospitals being employed longer than eight hours a clay. Mrs Sievwright read a paper on " The Economic Independence of Married Women and Divorce." She said the fall of classic civilisation was considered to have been due' to the degradation of women, especially married women. It was only her absolute emancipation which could lead to perfection of our dragging civilisation. Conditions very uncongenial and very unrighteous had been imposed on women too long. Still their desire should not be unreasonable. All they wanted was a fair field and no favour. Thouph monogamic marriage was the ouly possible arrangement for present day purposes, a very large number of such marriages degenerated into the bitterest bondage. A careful study of the anomalies of English law showed that for centuries men, and not women, were the protected half of humanity. Up till 1867 woman held the position of a slave, and she was not much better now. The wife should be as economically independent of the husband as the husband was of the wife. Were the laws relating to maniage righted, there would be little need lor divorce, which was no ideal solution of the marriage difficulties. Nevertheless, divorce should be equal for both sexes, and women should press for the passing of the Bill introduced by Mr Collins last session. She moved, "That this Council is of opinion that the marriage laws of New Ztaland should be rendered remedial, and not merely palliative of the disabilities at present grievously affecting married women, and that the whole law relating to marriage, founded on the. old doctrine of possession, should be repealed." The debate on the motion was adjourned.