DISTRICT EXECUTIVE.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 383, 18 June 1927, Page 10

DISTRICT EXECUTIVE.

WELLINGTON DISTRICT An Executive meeting of the Wellington District was held in Foxton, on May 26th and 27th, Miss Oates presiding. Miss Kirk, Secretary, read a letter of greeting from Mrs T. E. Taylor. Dominion President. Besides the District Officers there were present, Mrs Peryman, Mrs Evans and twelve delegates. A discussion re Invalid Pensions took place, and it was considered advisable that some scheme should be arranged whereby a family may receive assistance when the bread-winner is laid up. ordinarily called social insurance, and that it should be a universal pension for invalids. Some discussion also took place re compulsory Dominion Superanuation, but no action was taken, as it was considered rather an unworkable scheme, and that it would be a better plan to teach children thrift, and encourage them and their parents to make more use of the Savings Bank. A resolution to the effect that Widows he allowed to work and earn as much as they can to subsidise their pensions, is to be brought forward at the District Convention at Palmerston North. Reports on the work in connection with the Petition for the Two-Issue Ballot Paper, showed satisfactory results up to the present time. On Thursday night, a public meeting was held in the Methodist Church, when there was a large attendance. A musical programme was rendered by the Foxton friends, and much appreciated by the visitors. Miss Kirk. J.l\, addressed the meeting on Social work as carried out in Wellington, also on Prison Reform and Domestic Courts. The speaker compared the courts here with those in America, and again emphasised the need for a more private method of dealing with affiliation cases, and the more intimate domestic affairs which come up so frequently and are listened to by a crowd of idle onlookers.

In the speaker’s opinion, the housing shortage was very often the cause of much of the trouble between married couples. In many cases where a separation is asked for, the families are found to be living in a room or rooms, and the and

women become dissatisfi<*d through having so little to occupy their time.

Miss Kirk described the Prison Reform work as carried out in the Borstal Institute, and said that although it was a great improvement on the old-time form of punishment, there was still room for more improvement. While in the Institute, the women and girls are engaged in house-work, gardening, sewing and laundry work, and an* taught home nursing, and their time is fully occupied. But many of the girls get into trouble again soon after their release, through having no one to care for them. While they an* kept under constraint all may go well, hut as soon as they are free, many are at a loss to know w r hat to do with themselves, anti are unable to get immediate employment. It was suggested that the establishment of a Hostel where their freedom would come more gradually, would be a great benefit to these unfortunate girls. Also it was thought that then* are many women in better circumstances w T ho could take these girls into their homes for a short time, and give them help and encouragement till suitable employment could be found. In 1925, 85 per cent, of the Borstal cases which came under Miss Kirk’s notice, wen* brought about through drink. On Friday morning, a discussion took place about Maori work, and it was decided that where the number of Maoris warrants it, Unions should be formed, and each delegate w r as asked to make enquiries about the Maoris in her town and report to the Secretary on the matter, and Mrs Peryman and Mrs Evans will make arrangements for Organiser if possible.

A circular letter re White Ribbon Day w r as explained by Mrs Peryman, and delegates were impressed with the necessity tc get busy ami win more subscribers to our paper, as it was mentioned that only half the members of the Unions w'ere taking the paper, and it was considered impossible to work branches successfully if members did not acquaint themselves with what is going on in other Unions, and this information can be had only by the officers taking the White Ribbon regularly. Unions w'ere asked to make a special effort to help raise funds for

the Willard Home, as it was explained that in future grants from the McCarthy Trust will not be asked for by the Palmerston Fnion. Remits:—From Wellington Central: “That no person be allowed to address Convention without the permission of the Convention, was dropped for want of a seconder. (2) “That no Union should accept money or funds from any trust, company or other body, without first consulting the Dominion Officers. Carried. (3) “That every death occuring within two months of child-birth, be a matter of Magisterial enquiry.” Carried. After the close of the meetings, Mrs Peryman invited the delegates to the Parsonage, where they were entertained with music, and afternoon tea was dispensed.