WOMEN'S CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 111, 10 May 1919, Page 12

WOMEN'S CLUB.

A meet ing of women, convened by Mrs. .1. 11. (iutwon, Mayoress, took place in tlie Concert Chamber nn I'ri.lay afternoon. There wus a g 1 attendanre, , about a hundred being present, and great interest was manifested in the subject. | Mrs. Ciunson occupied the eliair. ami was supported by Mr-. Khodes. of Seattle. , and Mrs. \V. li. Parke*. Mrs. (iiiiisoii explained the object* of the meeting. whirl) wts to formulate * scheme for a women's club in Auckland. Several women's societies had already made a movement in this direction: amongst them the Civic U-ague nnd the Women's j National I'ouncil. Mrs. liunson explained | that wider opportunities had brought ■ activity iiinung-t women, and it was felt j that Auckland should not be behind j other cities in tlie matter of n women's club. Mrs. (iiinson then n«ked Mrs. r.hmles, of Sca'ile. In explain the club j life- of the women of America. In ..pen- j injr her address, Mrs. Rhodes said that Mie could ..nly offer a few suggestions: In them. It was for the local women to formulate their policy. Hut in her re- 1 cent travels throughout New Zealand ' -he had found to her amazement, that j Auckland was the only city that hud no women's club. When she landed in Christchureli she m- immediately taken ; to the Canterbury Women's t lull, where j she found beautifully upholstered rooms. n fine library, nnd all the latest intelleetunl magazines on the tables. Here she I met such rt Downed women ns Mrs. Shop- > pard, the pioneer of the suffrage for ■Cornell Mrs. T. E. Taylor and Miss lieuderson at the bead of the movement for j a National Council for women. A .lub should represent all shades of opinion amongst women so that all could exchange ideas. In Ihe federation of women clubs in her own Slate of Washington there were Infill separate clubs represented. In t hieago the women club members comprised 16,000 of the citizens. It was by this me:itis that women met together and worked for the public good. While j,, New Zealand she had made it her business to sit in the gallery amongst the mass of the people at many meciinrts and she warned them that if they did not try to understand their in ijrbbniir's point of view more, they were going to pet it rude awakening." Mrs. Rhodes then explained how the clubs were arranged, and said thnt as it was the last time -he would probably speak to Ne.v Zealand women she wanted to convey to them all over Ihe Dominion her greatest thanks for the kindness they had shown to her on her travels amongst them. Mrs. Parke* explained the great assistance she bad found in the club life of England and said that since tho signing of the armistice, women's clubs were springing up all over England. The idei of this meeting had originated at n little afternoon tea given by Mrs. W. R. Wilson, when Mrs. Rhodes lirst arrived in New Zealand. Mrs. Masuire followed and explained the kind of premises it was hoped to erect in the future. Mrs. decides aiso sooke on the need for the movement. The formation of n club, having for its objects (he advancement of social ami civic life was then approved, and the following ladies were appointed a provisional committee with power to add to their number: Mesdnmes YV. R. Wilson (convener). C. E. Maguirc. W. Parkes, MoKnil fJeddes, Irwin. Dickenson and B. Buttle.