LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 238, 19 April 1915, Page 35

LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY.

In July last 1 communicated with every Union in the Dominion, drawing their attention to the recommendations of the S| e< ial Committee set up by the Wellington Hospital anil Charitable Aid Board to consider the question of venereal disease, and, while asking for their hearty support of the tirst ten recommendations, I urged each l’nion to stiongly protest against number eleven, which recommended the bringing into operation of the K)th clause of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1913, whereby the Government would be able to compulsorily detain any person suffering from these diseases. I drafted and forwarded a resolution in connection with this matter, and asked each Union to forward it or one on similar lines, to the Premier, the Minister for Public Health, and to their member or members. At the same time I also brought before their notice the provision contained in the Bill to amend the

Crimes Act, vherby no prosecution for defiling girls between the ages of 12 and ih years could be commenced without the leave in writing of the Attorney-General, and urged ra< h Union to send to the Premier, the* members of the Cabinet, and to their member or members, an emphatic protest against this provision. Letters from a good many Unions notified me of the passage of these resolutions and of their having been sent to the* proper quarter. To the first resolution a rather subtly worded reply was received from Dr. Frengley, and some Unions wrote to me asking for advice as to their answer. I urged strong adhesion to our resolution against compulsory detention, giving reasons for same. In this connection I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mrs Sheppard, whose wide and varied information on this subject was freeh at my disjxisal, and was of the* gre itest help to me. The outbreak of war prevented any further developments of these matters, but in the near future it would he well for Unions to < xer< isr k»*en and incessant wat< hfulness in connr- tion with the>e subjects. Though the White Ribbon Unions were notified concerning Mr Hunter’s Bill, providing for the increase of facilities for gambling, only ten Unions have sent me reports, namely, Christchurch, Ashburton, Gore, Invercargill, Kaiipoi, Nelson, Otautau, Pahiatua, New Plymouth, and Rangiora. Christchurch, Ashburton, Core, Kaiapoi. Nelson, and Pahiatua reports resolutions against compulsory detention for venereal disease, of protest against the* clause of the ( rimes Act Amendment Bill, referred to above. Christchurch, Oiautau, Pahiatua, Invercargill, Kpiapoi strong resolutions against Mr Hunter’s Bill, increasing gambling fa< iliKaia )~i ter a further resolution condemning the members who voted for it, and pledged them* elves to work against the m at the forthcoming election. Christchurch, Nelson, Otautau, Core, New Plymouth, and Kaiapoi strongly supported by resolutions the Bill reducing the three-fifths majority handicap to 4- s>. and Kaiapoi protested emphatically against the action of those members w hose votes def< ated that small measure of justice. Core and Kaiapoi re ports r* solutions in favour of a referendum on the question of the Bible in Schools. Ashburton protested against the ex ressive prices changed in canteens aboard troopships. Nelson passed resolution" in favour of women being represented in the proposed National Council of education, and suggested that the number of such representatives be not less than five. New Plymouth reports communication with Premier and local member on various subjects, and a resolution

of prole-t, forwarded to Hon. J. Allen, against his refusal to deal with the question of equal pay for equal work for women teachers. Invercargill reports resolutions <on cei ning I erritorial vote’s, women school teaehers, Mr McCcmb’s amendment to Llcctor.il Act, and the appointment of women as police officers, but the nature of these resolutions are not indicated. Rangicra alsi r» ports having communicated with the Premier and local member on many subjects during the vear, but gives no indie at ion of their nature. « _ I. R<IBE K 1 S, " r . Dom. Supt. Legal and Parliamentary.