Saturday Afternoon.

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. in the Provincial Council Chambers. Mrs Williamson was voted to the chair. The following ladies were present: Lady Stout, Miss Sherriff Bain, Mrs Schnackenberg, Mrs Hatton, Mrs Isherwood, Mrs Daldy, Mrs Williamson, Mrs Izett, Mrs Widdowson, Mrs Alley, Mrs Sievwight, and the Secretary.

On the motion of Mrs Sievwright, seconded by Miss Sherriff Bain, it was unanimously agreed : " That this Council sends sisterly greetings to Mrs Wolstenholme, and thanks her for her efforts in the cause of women."

Mrs Schnackenberg moved: " That in the opinion of this Council the age of consent should be twenty-one years." Mrs Hatton seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Mrs Schnackenberg moved : "That the time during which charges of criminality may be made should be extended to three months." Mrs Sievwright seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Mrs Schnackenberg then moved: "That, in the opinion of this Council, it should be declared illegal, and severely punishable, to permit any girl or young man under twenty-one years of age to be found in a house of ill-fame." Mrs Hatton seconded the motion, which was carried nem. con.

Mr G W. Russell, M.H.R, then gave an address on "The Political Disabilities of Women."

At the conclusion of the paper, Mrs Daldy moved: "That all disabilities be removed which at present hinder women from sitting as members in either House of the Legislature, or from being elected or appointed to any public office or position in the Colony which men may hold, and with regard to all page 12 powers, rights, duties, and privileges to citizens; to declare absolute equality to be the law of the land for both men and women," Mrs Sievwright seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Government for having granted the use of the Provincial Council Chambers; to the Press of Christchurch and Dunedin; to Mrs Wells, for her services as secretary; to the Canterbury Women's Institute; to Mr Bussell for his paper; and to all the ladies and gentle men who had assisted in any way during the meetings.

At a Committee meeting held subsequently to the afternoon session, it was decided to hold the meeting of the Council next year at Wellington, when the Wellington Societies would act as hostesses. It was also decided that Easter or thereabouts, be a suitable time for meeting. The exact date of meeting was left to the decision of the Executive.

The Secretary was instructed to have the printing of the Proceeding of the National Council executed as early as possible, and to forward the report to the various organisations represented in the Council. Also to the various M.H.R.'s and to Societies throughout New Zealand.

A meeting of the Executive was held in Chancery Lane Hall on April 20th. All members present except Mrs Hatton.

It was decided that the writers of papers read before the Council be asked to endeavour to get their addresses printed in local papers, copies of which to be forwarded to the Secretary at the earliest convenient time.