LADY RHONDDA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 13

LADY RHONDDA.

A WOMAN LEADER,

A remarkable tribute of affection and appreciation was paid to Viscountess Rhondda in London recently by men and women in different spheres of life who had been associated with her in the various activities in which she had taken a prominent part. At a dinner at the Rembrandt Hotel, South Kensington, given by a number of friends and admirers to acknowledge her signal services as a business woman, a leader in the feminist movement, and as a journalist, Lady Rhondda was presented with her portrait, painted by Alice Burton. The picture, which remained unveiled until the end of the evening, presents Lady Rhondda sitting in reflective mood in the grounds of her estate. In the words of Mr. L. Raven-Hill, the famous "Punch" artist, the portrait reveals the subject as a woman of ideals, of courage and determination, and with all the sweetness and charm that had endeared her to all her friends. It was fitting that Professor Winifred Cullis, as a close friend of Lady Rhondda, should preside at what she apty described as a "big family party." Sir Norman Angell referred to Lady Rhondda's influence for good through her paper, "Time and Tide," and Miss Rebecca West reminded the company that their guest had been to prison for her ideals as a feminist. Despite all her interests, Lady Rhondda continued to remain gay and joyous. Two women writers, Miss E. M. Delafield and Miss Winifred Holtby, added words of praise. ■< Lord Camrose and Mr. St. John Ervine also spoke. "I do not deserve this kindness, but I love it," said Lady Rhondda in a charming little speech of thanks, in which she named one after another present with whom she had been associated in one capacity or another. Expressing her appreciation of the portrait, she added that it would also give great pleasure to her mother. "I never do a thing Ido not enjoy," she confessed; "and I always do the most interesting thing I can find to do." Miss Alice Burton, the painter of the portrait, admitted that her first intention was to paint Lady Rhondda in robes, with brilliant colourings, but when she suggested this Lady Rhondda "just jumped." She had decided on the unconvestional pose adopted as the best means of portraying "a most attractive personality." Among the company were also:—Miss Lilian Baylis, Dr. Alice Benham, Sir Gomer and Lady Berry, Mr. X. M. Boulestin, Mr. H. N. Brailsford, Lady Butterfield, Mr. Jonathan Cape, Miss Eleanor Farjeon, Hon. Mrs.. Franklin, Miss Margaret Gledstone, Mrs. HaigThomas, Miss Elizabeth Ilaldane, Miss Cicely Hamilton, Mr. W. R, Lysaght, Miss L. Martindale, Lady Moir, Miss Eva Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Claud Mullens, Mrs. Peacocke, Mr. and Mrs. L. Raven Hill, Rev. J. T. Rhys, Miss Edith Shackleton and Dr. Elizabeth SloanChesser.