Notes and Comments.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 2, 1 August 1895, Page 5

Notes and Comments.

Miss L. M. Kikk. —The Christchurch Union has arranged with Miss Kirk to visit Canterbury in the interests of the Union A large public meeting will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Christchurch, probably on August 26. Lyttelton will be favoured on the 27th. On the Wednesday afternoon (28th) a meeting for women will be held in Christchurch. Kaiapoi, Rangiora, and the other branches are also to be visited. We hope our women will do their utmost to secure large and enthusiastic meetings, thereby cheering the heart of the lady who is so generously foregoing her holiday, and also taking advantage of the opportunity to arouse practical interest in the aims and 'objects of the Union and to enrol new- members. We Have received a copy of “ The Police Department" from the author, Mr Theo. Wake, who certainly speaks with authority. Women as a rule believe in getting good value for their money. We should much like to learn if N.Z. women, after reading the pamphlet in question, imagine that taxpayers they are receiving an equivalent fc r the spent yearly in police administration.

Age of Consent. —Our legislators in the Upper House are of opinion that fifteen-year-old girls should have knowledge and strength of character sufficient to protect themselves from impure men of any age. We presume these honourable gentlemen think it necessary that their own daughters should be protected by chaperone or escort till

considerably over that age. The fathers in a lower social scale are unable to exercise such care. Have we not a right to demand that the State step in, and provide protection for those who cannot reasonably be expected to protect themselves ?

Various Opinions on thp: Licensing Bill. — “ A year older, and a year worse.” “ Of its father, the Premier.” “ Maori women prohibited !‘ \\ hat is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.’ A thousand people go to the poll, 599 vote for pro* hibition, 401 for reduction Result —Licenses remain as they are! This is what intelligent New Zealanders are asked to accept. Does Mr Seddcn imagine we are all suffering from softening of the brain, that he should attempt to foist such an absurdity upon us, or are w’e to imagine that the cares of State have proved too much for even his giant

Ireland Leads the Way. A Home paper says that among the extra confcrential gatherings during the recent Irish Methodist Conference was a “ Methodist Women’s Convention.” Social and religious problems of the hour were treated in papers and addresses by ladies competent to deal with them. We commend the idea to the authorities arranging for the yearly assemblies in connection with New Zealand Churches.

The English Wesleyan Conference has decided that women may not act as delegates to that august assembly. Rev Hugh Price Hughes urged that for “ peace sake ” permission should have been granted. He evidently holds that there are “ unjust judges ” and “ importunate widows ” connected with British Methodism.

A considerable portion of our space is devoted to reports of the B.W.T.A. Annual Convention and the Biennial Convention of the Worlds W.C.T.U., held in London in June. Owing, we presume, to a shipping accident, all the reports notified by Mrs Sheppard as having been sent have not yet reached us. Several items of interest are crowded out.

Will our readers do their utmost to swell the subscribers’ lists, and send names, addresses, and half-crowns to the Business Manager, Christchurch ?

At one London police court lastjjycai over 6000 women v r ere committed for drunkenness.

The Chicago Women’s Club has recently declared that the qualification for membership shall he “ character, intelligence, and reciprocal advantage, without regard to race, colour, religion, or politics.”