Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/130

 WORLD OF WOMEN I and to abolish all exemptions below that age, etc. The Girls' Club Committee consists chiefly of club leaders from various parts of London and the provinces. They are able to give each other most valuable informa- tion and assistance on club management. Inquiries come to the hon, secretary from all parts of England as to. every department of club work. A committee for promoting the Provision OF Rest-rooms for women and girl em- ployees IN Exhibitions in connection with one of the London exhibitions was formed in 1908 by representatives of various societies working for the welfare of girls. It proved a most inestimable boon, for, before the committee was .formed and the rest-room opened, the girls had no place where they could rest during their times off, no free dressing-room accommodation, and the greater number of them were unable to obtain any food except at exhibition prices, which for many, owing to the low wages they received, were prohibitive. Early in 1909 the N.U.W.W. was asked to take over the work and to extend it to other exhibitions as necessity arose. This it was decided to do. A rest-room erected by the exhibition authorities and under the care of this committee was opened at the Japan-British Exhibition, and was much appreciated by the women employees. A Preventive and Rescue Committee nas been formed, which deals very efficiently with a difficult question. It is composed of representatives of various societies dealing with different branches of the work. The Education Committee watches over dU matters connected with education, and has among its members representatives of important educational organisations, such as the National Union of Teachers, the Teachers' Guild of Great Britain and Ire- land, the Association of Headmistresses, the Association of Teachers of Domestic Science, the Parents' National Educational Union, University. Colleges, etc. The Public Health Committee is one of the most recent of the committees formed, and will probably prove invaluable both in collecting and spreading information con- cerning pubhc health. An epitome of the work done in Ireland and also by the York Health and Housing Association with regard to the care of phthisical patients has been sent to all branch representatives, asking them to co-operate with their municipal authorities in adopting those methods which they consider most suitable in their locality for arresting the progress of this disease. A Public Service Committee has been formed : 1. To study the administration of new Acts. 2. To bring to Hght defects in Acts . affecting social welfare or in the administra- tion of those Acts. 3. To bring to the notice of the sectional committees any legislative matter which may affect their work. the international aspect of the union While the N.U.W.W. is all-embracing in Great Britain, it is itself but a part of a greater whole, " The International, Council of Women," which is a federation of national councils or unions of wonien formed in various countries for the promotion of unity and mutual understanding between all associations of women working for the common welfare of the community. The international council was organised in 1888, and has for its motto the Golden Rule. This committee keeps in touch with the work of women in other countries, and supplies information to other national councils and to women visiting England from abroad. The Women's India Study Association is a sectional committee of the N.U.W.W., and was established to promote sympathetic understanding between British and Indian women. Objects — (i) To serve as a bureau of information with regard to all work done by and for women in India; (2) To draw up courses of study and suggest books to those desirous of obtaining more information ; and (3) to arrange lectures on matters connected with the aims of the association. It also arranges correspondence classes for the study of Indian languages, history, and literature. It aims especially at arousing interest on the part of Enghsh women who are looking forward to residence in India. HOW TO become a MEMBER All women interested in religious, philan- thropic and educational work are welcome as members of the N.U.W.W. Subscribers of 5s. a year to the centre receive invitations to meetings in London and copies of the " Occasional Paper," which is issued three or four times a year, and gives information as to the work done by the sectional committees and branches. Subscribers of los. receive in addition a copy of the N.U.W.W. handbook each year, containing full information of the work of the union. Subscriptions to local branches vary, but are not usually more than half-a- crown a year. Among, the societies of national import- ance, whose representatives serve on the Council of W^omen of Great Britain and Ireland (the governing body of the N.U.W.W.) are the Girls' Friendly Society, the Young Women's Christian Association, the Women's Local Government Society, the Charity Organisation Society, the Catholic Women's League, the Union of Jewish Women, etc. Further information can be obtained from the Secretary, N.U.W.W., Parliament Man- sions, Victoria Street, S.W.