Children’s Congress that she inaugurated the Women’s Non-party Political Association, which is apparently a growing force.  In a general way the aims of the society bear a strong resemblance to those of the social students’ society, many of its members having also belonged to the earlier association.  It was a hopeful sign to me that it included among its members people of all political views working chiefly in the interests of women and children.  Of this Society also I became the first President, and the fact that on its platform was included proportional representation was an incentive for me to work for it.  The education of women on public and social questions, so that they will be able to work side by side with the opposite sex for the public good will, I think, help in the solution of social problems that are now obstacles in the path of progress.  In addition to other literary work for the year 1909 I was asked by Miss Alice Henry to revise my book on State children in order to make it acceptable and applicable to American conditions.  It was a big undertaking, but I think successful.  The book, as originally written had already done good work in Western Australia, where the conditions of infant mortality were extremely alarming, and in England also; and there is ample scope for such a work in America, which is still far behind even the most backward Australian State in its care for dependent children.

As a President of three societies, a Vice-President of two others, a member of two of the most important boards in the State for the care of the destitute, the deserted, and the dependent, with a correspondence that touches on many parts of the Empire, and two continents besides, with my faculty for the appreciation of good literature still unimpaired, with my domestic interests so dear to me, and my constant knitting for the infants under the care of the State Inspector—­I find my life as an octogenarian more varied in its occupations and interests than ever before.  Looking back from the progressive heights of 1910 through the long vista of years, numbering upwards of four-fifths of a century, I rejoice at the progress the world has made.  Side by side with the development of my State my life has slowly unfolded itself.  My connection with many of the reforms to which is due this development has been intimate, and (I think I am justified in saying) oftentimes helpful.  While other States of the Commonwealth and the Dominion of New Zealand have made remarkable progress, none has eclipsed the rapid growth of the State to which the steps of my family were directed in 1839.  Its growth has been more remarkable, because it has been primarily due to its initiation of many social and political reforms which have since been adopted by other and older countries.  “Australia, lead us further,” is the cry of reformers in America.  We have led in so many things, and though America may claim the honour of being the birthplace of the more modern theory of land values taxation,