I gave several addresses, and in 1904 contributed a paper on “Epileptics.”  In dealing with this subject I owed much to the splendid help I received from my dear friend Miss Alice Henry, of Victoria, now in Chicago, whose writings on epileptics and weak-minded children have contributed largely to the awakening of the public conscience to a sense of duty towards these social weaklings.  In 1905 I contributed a paper to the quinquennial meeting of the International Council of Women, held at Berlin, on the laws relating to women and children in South Australia, and gave an account of the philanthropic institutions of the State, with special reference to the State Children’s Council and Juvenile Courts.  The work of the National Council in this State was disappointing to many earnest women, who had hoped to find in it a means for the social, political, and philanthropic education of the women of South Australia.  Had the council been formed before we had obtained the vote there would probably have been more cohesion and a greater sustained effort to make it a useful body.  But as it was there was so apparent a disinclination to touch “live” subjects that interest in the meetings dwindled, and in 1906 I resigned my position on the executive in order to have more time to spare for other public work.

A problem which was occasioning the State Children’s Council much anxious thought was how to deal effectively with the ever-increasing number of the “children of the streets”.  Boys and girls alike, who should either be at school or engaged at some useful occupation, were roaming the streets and parks, uncontrolled and sometimes uncontrollable.  We recognised that their condition was one of moral peril, and graduation to criminality from these nurseries of crime so frequently occurred that State interference seemed absolutely imperative to save the neglected unfortunates for a worthier citizenship.  It is much easier and far more economical to save the child than to punish the criminal.  One of the most effective means of clearing the streets would be to raise the compulsory age for school attendance up to the time of employment.  That truancy was to a great extent responsible for these juvenile delinquents was proved by the fact that more then one-half of the lads sent to Magill had committed the crimes for which they were first convicted while truanting.  Moreover, an improvement was noticed immediately on the amendment of the compulsory attendance clauses in the Education Act.  Truancy—­the wicket gate of the road to ruin in youth—­should be barred as effectively as possible, and the best way to bar it is to make every day a compulsory school day, unless the excuse for absence be abundantly sufficient.  Another aspect of the neglected children problem, which Federal action alone will solve, is in dealing with cases of neglect by desertion.  At present each State is put to great trouble and expense through defaulting parents.  Federal legislation would