Women’s Meetings.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 6, 1 December 1895, Page 5

Women’s Meetings.

Canterbury Women’s Institute. -On Dec. 4 Mr S iunders, M H.R., addressed a public meeting under the auspices of the Institute, his subject being Party Government. Mr Saunders remarked that bad as Party Government was in England it was infinitely worse here in New Zealand. Of tiie many able men in the English House of Commons not more than two or three aspired to the leadership of the nation ; in New Zcaluid nearly evt ry member considered himself tit iur tin position of Piemier. We must remember too, th it Party Government in the Old Land was the result of an endeavour to free the country from the tyranny of the Tudors, the Stu arts, and Hanoverians,and more specifically from the bigotry, obstinacy and lunacy of George 111., and compared with the state of affairs under those monarchy the present svstem of Government is good indeed. We in New Zealand have had no such difficulties to deal with. With Party Government there is always a tendency to autocracy. A Premier is not likely to chose ministers more able than himself. Too frequently the country’s interests are sacrificed to tde Government. Ministers’ tenure of office is so insecure that their thought is not what will be best for the country, but what will enable us to keep our seats. It is a noteworthy fact that the Elective Executive Bill was lost on the second reading by six votes- those of Ministers. In America and Switzerland the Ministers have no votes Mr Saunders did not advocate the Referendum as it is expensive. He prefers the Hare system oi Representation. The Upper House should, he believes, be ! elected under this system. In the course of his address Mr Saunders urged women to study finance. While laws made by one Government may be altered 01 repealed by the next, debts incurred by one Government are handed down from one party to another. A vote ol thanks to Mr Saunders for his instructive address closed the proceedings.

Malvern Women’s Institute. —The monthly meeting was held in the Waddington schoolroom on Nov 30. The subject for the day was Bible reading in schools. There was a good attendance of members and friends. Papers were read both for and against Bible reading in our State schools. An animated discussion took place, and the papers were duly criticised, 'l he meeting passed a resolution in favour of more moral and religious training in our schools. Selected parts ot the Bible approved of by all denominations to be read, providing the present educational system were not endangered. It was suggested that a text-book be compiled for use in the schools.

The subject to l»c discussed at the next meeting will be Police Reform. It was decided to postpone the next meeting for two months. I hrough the kindness of Mrs Pole afternoon tea was dispensed. W.C.T.U. C hristchi rch. —At the last general met ting the members were urged to see that, in view of the by-election, the names of all women cn’itled to vote were placed on the rolls. A resolution was passed condemning the action of the Wellington Licensing committee in granting a removal of license from Ltinbton Quay to Newtown, in defiance of the expressed wishes of a large number of residents and the Newtown School Committee. The superintendent of Prison Work mentioned the difficulty of dealing with confirmed criminals and it was pointed out that the most humane plan under present conditions would he to give tli mu a long sentence. It was decided not to meet agiiti till the first week in February, and to defer the election of officers to that date. Wellington W.C.T.U. Our December general meeting was a sail one, for during the month one of our members, Mrs David Purdie, had been called from her labours here to enter into the higher service above. Words .ue inadequate to express our sense of loss. Always ready to do all that her health permitted and with a very clear perception of right and wrong, she was one of oui most useful members. A resolution expressive of our appreciation and of our sense of loss was recorded on the minutes. It was resolved to petition any church courts holding their sessions in W ellington asking them to combat the drinking and gambling evils. Ihe next and annual meeting will be held on Febiuary 6.