LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 274, 18 April 1918, Page 17

LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY.

Supt. Miss Henderson. Six 0 ’clock Closing.—All the Unions report hearty co-operation with the N.Z. Alliance in promoting the success of the movement for 6 o’clock closing of liquor bars. In some cases the work in the district was organised by the local Union, and in all cases members of the Union undertook bouse to house canvassing for signatures. This was supplemented by letters and telegrams to members of Cabinet and M.P.’s, and a large share of the success which attended the agitation was undoubtedly due to the enthusiastic efforts of the W’.C.T.U. members. Much good work was also done in c. mection with the campaign for National Prohibition ; letters and resolutions were sent to the National Government, and protests were made against the refusal of the Government to adopt the recommendations of the F.ffh iency Board.

Women Police Patrols. —The demand for the appointment of women police patrols was urged with greater insistence this year than ever before. The Unions were written to and asked to appoint deputations to wait upon the iocal M.P. and urge his support of this reform. W ith few exceptions, the Unions complied with the request, and members were either interviewed or written to. The Legal and Parliamentary Department pressed the question upon the attention of the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and the Hon. Mr Herdman, and forwarded to every member of Parliament a schedule of the suggested duties of these police patrols, at the same time asking the support of members when the question came before the House. Several members of the W.C.T.U. also formed part of a deputation to the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward, when the appointment of women police was one of the matters dealt with. In spite of the fact that a majority of the members in the House have given their support to this demand, little hope can be expected from the attitude of the raemb?is of the National Cabinet. Social Hygiene Bill.—Late in the session a Social Hygiene Bill was introduced into the I louse by the Minister of Public Health. While ibis Bill included provisions of undoubted value, such .is those intended for ihe prevention of the treatmc at of venereal diseases by quacks, and those requiring tli.it persons ing from these diseases should submit themselves for treatment, the main provisions of the Bill were entirely objectionable, since they enacted that certain persons could be detained on suspicion that they suffered from venereal disease, and could then be compelled to submit to medical examination. Such measures were entirely at variance with the declared j>olicy of the L’nion, and a vigorous protest was at once made. As the Bill was introduced late in the session, and there was every indication that it would be “rushed through,” time did not permit of all the Unions being communicated with, but telegrams were sent to all District Unions, urging them to take action, and the Premier and Minister for Public Health were requ< sted to delay passage of the Bill until the women’s organisations had time to consider its provisions. < >t the 1 >i-Irict Unions. Auckland. Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth. Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hawera, Nelson. Greymouth, Christchurch, Timaru, Kaiapoi, protested against compulsory measures, and asked for delay. One hung. 1, Waipukurau, Pahiatua, Wan ganui East, Wanganui, Waimat.;, Port Chalmers, and Mosgiel also report having taken action with regard to the Bill. It is a matter for congratulation that before the Bill reached the third reading, clauses objected to were dropped. Ebzery Case. The notorious Ebzerv case came under the notice of some of the Unions. Dunedin Union organised a public indignation meeting, and

passed strong resolutions dealing with the inadequate sentence passed upon the man, and demanding that the law against solicitation should be enforced against both sexes. Christchurch, Kaiapoi, Ashburton, and Wellington Provincial Conventions, and Palmerston North also forw tided protests to Government against the inadequate sentence. Napier, Ashburton, Christchurch, Dunedin. Pahiatua, Kaiapoi, Wellington, and Ashburton Provincial Con ventions have all urged the raising or the age of consent and the passage of various other measures for the better protection of children and young girls. W elling on Provincial Convention, Pahiatua. Morrinsville, and South Invercargill protested against any proposal to lower the military age. Pahiatua sent protest to Government against the deportation of conscientious objectors and the harsh treatment of the mothers of those departed. Hamilton and Oxford protested against action of Minister of Railways in permitting the carriage of liquor on railways during the coal strike.