WOMEN'S FORUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1932, Page 10

WOMEN'S FORUM.

THE GIRL WORKER. There was a great feeling of apprehension among a number of women said Miss Melville at the meeting of the National Council last evening, who were watching the' trend of events, and it was most disturbing to see signs of an attempt to economise at the expense of women. Miss Melville referred to the discussion which took place at the Wellington Cliambcr of Commerce the other day when it had been suggested that women and girls should be dispensed with in order to make room for boys. The fact of women working had always been the subject of a ceicuin amount of discussion—except when tbiit wok happened to be of a dreary domestic type, when it was commended by every Government. "It must be remembered," said Miss Melville, "that practically a whole generation of men luivj been moved from the earth. The critics forget that if men had not killed man there would not bo so many women in the outside labour market." The world, she said, owed those girls something more than criticism and antagonism of the way in which they were trying to earn a livelihood. The younger people of to-day were, paying for the mistakes of the older people who must take the moral responsibility of tho war. "There is going to bo a need to champion the cause of the girl worker," Miss Melville concluded, "and I would like the council to have a definite line of thought or study on the problem of the woman worker." Another question that might well be studied 'by the council was whether married women should earn. It behoved an organisation such as the National Council of Women to have an opinion in the matter.

WRITERS' CLUB,

A talk 011 poetry was given by Mr. J. M. Clark at ft meeting of the Writers' Club on Friday afternoon. Mrs. I. M. Cluett, president, presided. Mr. Clark deplored the fact that poetry was too little appreciatacd these modern days. Ho illustrated tho dilTcrence between the mere reading of the lines which sounded like prose. Attention to the value of tho pause and tho accenting of the correct words, 110 said, brought out the underlying meaning, and music of poetry. A splendid rendering of Macbeth's speech on hearing of the death of his wife was given by Mr. Clark, and some gems from Rupert Brooke, that great lover of simple things, also delighted those present. Dr. De Clivc Lowe, who was also present, announced the winner of Mrs. Nello Porter's one-act modern play competition. Mrs. Doust was the successful competitor with licr play "Judgment/ and Mrs. Buchanan came second with "Interest of George." Dr. Lowe gave a most helpful and constructive criticism of each play. The president heartily thanked both speakers, the members showing appreciation by acclamation.

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