WOMEN OF INDIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 139, 14 June 1935, Page 11

WOMEN OF INDIA

TALK BY MISS JEAN BEGG.

In the Y.W.C.A. hostel yesterday afternoon, the presidents and secretaries of the various women's organisations in Auckland were invited by the board of directors of the association to meet Miss Jean Begg, national secretary of the Y.W.C.A. in India, Burma and Ceylon. The guosts were received by Mrs. A. D. Campbell, president, and Miss Begg. In welcoming those present Mrs. Campbell stressed the fact that, although the women's organisations were working for different'causes, they all had the one aim of helping their fellow creatures and making the world a better place to live in. Prior to Miss Begg's address songs were sung by Mrs. S. Crespin, and a recitation was given by Mrs. Brookes.

Miss Begg told first of all of a visit ehe had paid to Geneva, and gave her impressions of the League of Nations in progress. She remarked that a few countries had women representatives, but that New Zealand had none, I and hoped that this would be remedied.

In speaking of the wonderful strides made by the wonien of India in both political and social matters, Miss Begg w'ae particularly interesting. ' She described the type of woman there who was reaching out for a greater expression of herself. "Indian women are born leaders." said Miss Begg. "They are educated and cuftured, and have remarkable perception. To keep up with them, we have to be on our mettle."

Miss Begg also spoke of the attitude of many of the leading women to the India Reform Bill. At a conference in Delhi, where the All-India Women's Congress, together with the National Council of Women in India and the Indian Women's Association, had met to study the bill, the Indian women had said that while they welcomed the extension of the franchise, thoy- objected to the reservation' of scats specially fdV women. They wished instead an open election, and also wished for literacy as a qualification. They objected to being debarred from the Second Chaniber; it was their inherent right, they said, to be represented there.