November 5th, 1907

Council Meeting held Tuesday November 5th 1907 at 3 o’clock

Attendance.  
Present
Miss Emily Cox (Chair), Miss Margaret Ashton, Lady Schwann, Mrs. Ashwell Cooke, Miss Gaskell, Mrs. Findlay, Mrs. Horsfall, Mrs. Bamford Tomlinson, Mr. H.V. Herford, Mrs Aldridge (Secretary)

Apologies. Apologies for absence received from Miss Crompton, Councillor James Johnston and Mrs. Bennett.

Minutes. Minutes of the last Council Meeting read and passed.

Report of Glasgow Conference. Lady Schwann gave a report of the Conference on “Sweated Industries” on October 11th and 12th.

In the discussion (at the Conference) on remedies there was considerable difference of opinion as to the value of the establishment of Wages Boards. The policy was approved by the Conference but Lady Schwann felt that a far fuller discussion of the arguments for and against their establishment would be of great value. She suggested that the Council should call a Conference in Manchester where fuller discussion could be obtained.

Proposal to hold a Conference in Manchester. Following Lady Schwann’s report Miss Ashton moved and Lady Schwann seconded “that the Council endeavour to arrange such a conference early in the new year and invite the cooperation of the Trades and Labour Council and the Anti-Sweating League.” The matter was left in the hands of the Organisation Sub-Committee with instructions to report at the next meeting.

Resignation of Mrs.Brooke. Council ask her to be a Vice President. A letter was read from Mrs. A. Amy Brooke (Miss Bulley) announcing her resignation as a member of the Council. Miss Cox moved and Lady Schwann seconded a resolution expressing the Councils regret at the resignation and inviting Miss Bulley to become a Vice President of the Council. Carried unanimously.

Finance. Mr. Herford reported on the months’ finances and again called attention to the deficit.

Guildhall Conference on Unemployment. The Secretary reported having attending the Guildhall Conference on the unemployment of women.

Change of meeting day. A proposal to change the day of meeting for the Council was next taken. The Lancs and Cheshire Union of Women’s Liberal Association who used the office on Tuesday mornings wished to extend their hours to the afternoon. The Council meeting being held on Tuesday often prevented Mrs Aldridge (Secretary) from attending the City Districts Committee Meeting which often fell on the same day. As many members had left the meeting it was agreed that the Secretary should write to those not present and if favourable replies were received the next meeting should be called on the second Wednesday of December.

Annual Meeting. It was unanimously agreed that Miss Margaret Bondfield be asked to be the chief speaker at the Annual Meeting in February.

Emily Cox
Dec 11th