WOMEN'S EMANCIPATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 231, 1 October 1935, Page 12

WOMEN'S EMANCIPATION.

SITUATION IN CHINA

ADDRESS BY MISS MONCRIEFF.

A reception in honour of Miss A. M. MoneriefT was given by the Y.W.C.A. Business and Professional Women's Club in the Y.W.C.A. hall last evening. The guest of honour was welcomed by Miss Arawa Heron, president of the Round Table Club, and by Mrs. Innes, president of the Wellington College Old Girls' Association, which college Miss Moncrieff attended. A brief speech of welcome was also made by Mrs. A. D. Campbell, the president of the association. During the evening an enjoyable programme was presented, including violin solos by Miss Craig, instrumental music by Miss Munro and Miss Craig, Maori songs by Miss Hose Kennedy, humorous sketches by Miss A. Heron, songs by Miss Gladys McAneney and dramatic sketches by Miss Norma McLeod. The subject of Miss Moncrieff's address was the emancipation of Chinese women and she traced its development from the days when the women joined the revolutionary forces of Sun Yat Sen because tliey believed that the overthrow of the corrupt Government was essential before their own rights could be established. It was only when the republic had been established in 1911 that women began to fight for their individual rights. The three planks of the platform for (he advancement of women in China were equal chances of education, political equality and marriage based on love, and many organisations had been formed throughout China for this purpose. Although there was still a high percentage of illiteracy, the part women's magazines were playing in the cause was a very important one.

Miss MoncriefT mentioned the many avenues into which Chinese women had entered and spoke of their success in the professional world. Among the most interesting of those was the nursing profession, which had been looked upon with disfavour for some years because it necessitated a certain amount of menial work. This work was now being taken up enthusiastically, as was also social service work, which Chinese women performed very ably.