funding a body of inspectors to investigate and prevent cruelty to children. Many of the fund-raisers were middle-class women who, according to social historian George Behlmer, were 'left no room for doubt on the subject of female duty'. Its women supporters had to postpone fighting for their own rights until 'the citizenship and rights of children are established'.

Waugh supported the agitation of his friend W. T. Stead against 'white slavery' in 1885. He was also instrumental in inserting a provision