WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 256, 18 October 1916, Page 5

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.

The Convention was opened at Woodville in September. Eighteen delegates were present. Mrs Perkins welcomed on behalf of the local Cnion, and Mrs Crabbe replied. Reports were received from the various Unions, showing good work done in various departments, as well as hard work for six o'clock closing petition and collecting for Patriotic Fund. Several Unions have done splendid work in helping to circulate the “White Ribbon.” Lady Stout addressed Convention on “The War Regulations Hill as Affecting Women and Children.” The following resolutions were passed:—(i) “That we respectfully the Hons. Allen and llcrdman and members of the Ministry to listen to the prayer of the women of N'nv Zealand that any restrictive measures concerning the conduct of women be effected by statute, and not by order of the Governor-in-Council; and in tin* circumstances of our not having women in Parliament, with full opportunity for obtaining the opinion of representative women thereon.'' (2) “That we would respcctfullv draw the attention of the Premier and the members of the Ministry to the fact that women ask for equal laws for both sexes. If the sale of intoxicating liquor is to be prohibited to women, it should also be prohibited to men ; if to any c lass of women, to a similar class of men.” It) “That we desire to point out to the lion. J. Aden that we most earnestly deprecate any return of the* C D. Acts or to regulation in any form, as being d rectly contrary to all the findings of the* British Royal Commission, and of all the latest international conferences for the suppression of venereal diseases.” (4) “That we would respectfully urge upon the Premier and members of the* Ministn that in view of the* fac t that wherever women police and patrols have* been employed, their presence in the* streets and about the camps has had a restraining influence over the conduct of the* young of both sexes; that therefore the Government consider the advisability of engaging women police* in connection with the camps and in the city of Wellington.” (5) “That, as wherever women ccmks have been employed in camps, their employment has resulted in better cooking and greater economy, we would urge that

the Government consider the advisability of appointing women cooks in all camps. We would also suggest that it is desirable th.it all women for the positions of police or cooks in camps be* selected by women.” (fff “That we suggest to the Government that where women are convicted under e xisting laws for solicitat n or similar offences, all punishment be of a reformative character, and that for thi** purpose an island or farm colony be provided, to be* conducted on sim lar lines to the ‘George Junior Republic, in whic h such women may be detained until able to maintain themselves respectably.” A vote of deep sympathy was passed with all W.C.T.I . members who have lost relatives during the war, and have husbands and soil' away “at the* Front.” The following officers were elected: -Pres., Mrs Crabbe; Sec., Mrs Neal; Treas., Mrs Houlder. A public meeting was held in the evening, at which Lady Stout gave an address on “The Liquor Traffic and the War Regulations Bill.”