GOOD CITIZENSHIP.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 274, 18 April 1918, Page 13

GOOD CITIZENSHIP.

Supt.: Mrs Judson. I have received reports this year from i(j Unions, live of which have a local superintendent for this department. This is a slight increase on the last two years, and with one or two exceptions, reports have been sent in much more promptly. As is usually the case, the majority of the reports are concerned mainly with the representation of women on School Committees and Hospital Hoards. Foi the former. Christchurch stands highest, with 14 women members on

differed * committees, Auckland com ing next, with seven; Palmerston N with three; New Brighton, Wellington District, Hamilton. Ashburton. Wan ganui, and Wanganui F... with two each; and N.E. Valiev and Nelson with one. Only four Unions have reoortcd women members on Hospital Boards, Palmerston N. having three. Christchurch, Nelson, and Wanganui one each: but I am inclined to think tnese lists are incomplete. In both cases the majority are members of the W.C T.U. The Christchurch Superintendent reports increasing difficulty in getting women to stand for School Committees, on account of the curtailment of the Committee’s powers, many women feeling that they can do more useful work along other lines. This is to be regretted, as in visiting the schools there are many opportunities for suggestions from a woman with regard to the conditions under which the children are working. There arc two questions which have been somewhat prominently before the Unions this year—the appointment of women j>olice has been again brought up, and speri.il efforts made. Christchurch. Auckland, and Nelson report deputations to the local M.P., and New Brighton to the Hon. Mr Russell upon the matter, and resolutions have also been forwarded. There now seems hope that we mav before lonq see in New Zealand an officially recognised body of women police, as in other parts of the Empire. The other matter which has been taken up this year bv several of the larger Unions is the improvement of cinema performances for children, aiming at better physical conditions at such performances, and also at the raising of th' moral standard of the films displayed. Christchurch, Dunedin, and South Dunedin Unions have been specially active in this work, holding very successful public meetings in connection with it, and in Falmerstnn North a deputation waited upon the nicture manager. Nelson and New Plymouth have also taken the matter in hand, and we hope that this coniine year mav see some definite action resulting in much needed reform. Auck land, Palmerston N.. New Brighton. Kaiapoi. Nelson, and Wainava rr port work for the 6 o’clock closing petition. This work was. of course, taken part in bv many of the Unions,

and does not belong specially to this department, but it affords scope for good educative work i« arousing in women especially a srnse of their responsibility as citizens, and the duty af making full use of their privileges, which opportunity in some cases ai least was taken advantage of. Literature has also been distributed in Auckland, Kaiapoi, and Nelson, Au< k land especially doing mu< h good work in that way. Very little has been reported in the , way of lectures or public meeting* Auckland reports two —one to protest against the compulsory clauses of the Social Hygiene Bill, and one in connection with the visit of Rev. Mr Hammond, of Syd ney, also several Temperance ad dresses. Dunedin held a meeting of protest against the light sentences imposed in the Hbzen and Parker cases; and Kaiapoi reports three in connection with 6 o’clock »losing, with Mrs Lee-Cowie’s campaign, and with the Social Hygiene Bill. Waipawa organised a citizens’ meeting o.v Sunday evening, September 2nd, when resolutions against the drink traffic were passed and forwarded to Govvernment; letters of sincere support were also sent to the local M.P. and to members of the Cabinet. At one of the Wellington District Union meetings the paper on Good Citizenship published in the Wb e Ribbon” was read, and u another an address on the subject was girin. with reference to the “Mothers* Thought Guild,” for the helping of mothers in the training of their children. In Nelson, also, an addicts ujxm this Guild was given at a meeting of Cradle Roll mothers; an address to mothers, by Dr. Ada 1* iterson, on “The Care of Children,” was also arranged by this department in conjunction with the Plunket Society. At the Nelson District Convention two interesting addresses were given on “Women in Public I.iff'’ and “The Montessori System”; a resolution was also carried on the lines of the one passed by the last N.Z. Convention, protesting against the gambling methods so common in raising money foi patriotic funds. All addiesc »ws also given on Franchise Day upon “The Initiative and the Referendum ’ Ashburton reports the great success 0 the rest room opened by them tw\ years ago, which has proved a great boon to mothers; this Un’on also takes the oversight of waiting-rooms with very* good results as regardt, cleanliness, etc., and the members take pa t in farewell entertainments for soldiers. The South Dunedin Union is affiliated with the National Council of Women. In view of the need for united action bv all women’s societies, if reforms are to be successfully carried out, I would call special attention to this as a step worthy of consideration by all Unions who have not already taken it and are in a position to do so. Union is strength, arm ip all our xaork we do well to

remember that it is not done simply tor our own success as a Union, but rather as helping r on the united efforts tor ieform put forth by all sections ot the community.