The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-08-01 00:00:00

PROTECTION OF YOUNG GIRLS
_
LETTER FROM THE QUEEN.

A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the
Congress Hall, Clapton, on Tuesday evening, the
object of which was to hear addresses from Professor
Stuart, M.P., and "General" and Mrs. Booth on the
subject of the protection of young girls, and to peti-
tion the Houses of Parliament to amend the bill on
the subject. " General " Booth moved: "That this
meeting is strongly of opinion that no bill for the
protection of women and girls will be satisfactory
which fixes the age of protection under 18 years ;
which does not give the parents or guardians the
fullest powers of search for the recovery of girls de-
tained in improper houses; which does not inflict
sufficient penalties for offences, and which does not
equalise the law so as to make it apply to both men
and women; and that the chairman be requested to
sign the petitions to this effect on behalf of this meet-
ing to both Houses of Parliament." He stated the
petition was nearly 2i miles long, and signed by
313,000 persons.
Professor Stuart, 3n coming forward to second the
resolution, was received with cheers, and Mrs. Booth
supported the motion, which was carried.
During the evening the following correspondence
between Mrs. Booth and the Queen was read:

- "14th July, 1885.
"To Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen,
"Your Majesty will be aware that since your last
gracious communication to me some heartrending dis-
closures have been made with respect to the painful
subject on which I ventured to address you. It seems
probable that some effective legislation will be the
result, for which the multituaes of your Majesty's
subjects in the Salvation Army will be deeply grateful.
Nevertheless' legislation will not effect what requires
to be done. Nothing but the most desperate, sys-
tematic, and determined effort—moral and spiritual
—can meet the case, and it would beagreatencourage-
ment to thousands of those engaged in this struggle if
your Majesty would at this juncture graciously send
us a word of sympathy and encouragement to be
read at our mass meetings in different parts
of the kingdom, the first of which takes place on
Thursday evening next. at Exeter Hall. Allow me to
add that it would cheer your Majesty's heart to hear
the responses of immense audiences in different parts
cf the land when it has been intimated that the heart
of your Majesty beats in sympathy with this effort to
protect the juvenile daughters of your people. Pray-
ing for your Majesty's highest peace and prosperity,
I have the honour to be your Majesty's loyal and de-
voted servant, CATHERINE BOOTH."
"Osborne, July 22.

"The Dowager Marchioness of Ely presents her
compliments to Mrs. Booth, and begs to assure her
that her letter, addressed to the Queen, has received
her Majesty's careful consideration. Lady Ely need
scarcely tell Mrs. Booth that the Queen feels very
deeply on the subject to which her letter refers
but her Majesty has been advised that it would not
be desirable for the Queen to express any opinion
upon a matter which forms at present the object of a
measure before Parliament."