WORLD AVIATRICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 173, 23 July 1936, Page 14

WORLD AVIATRICES.

LADY DRUMMOND-HAY'S WIN.

LADY KINGSFORD SMITH'S APPOINTMENT.

HOLLYWOOD, June 17,

The seventh annual gathering of the Women's International Association of Aeronautics was held at Hollywood, under the presidency of the founder and honorary president, Mrs. Ulysses Grant McQueen, when Lady Grace DrummoiulHay was elected to the presidency of the association, which had world-wide ramifications and is recognised as the premier organisation of its kind throughout the women's aviation world.

Lady Drummond-llay was cordially thanked for her unabated interest in [aviation, and after reviewing various outstanding performances during the year by noted aviatrices, the muchcoveted Princess Der Ling massive silver trophy was awarded to Lady Hay for having been 50,000 miles in the air. Realising Lady Hay's undoubted ability as a journalist, she was asked to accept the position as editor-in-chief of the association's new magazine, "The Aerogram," and her ladyship graciously consented to act in that capacity. Allusion' was made to the sterling triumphs of Miss Jean Batten, of New Zealand, and especially her epochal flight from England to Rio do Janeiro recently. The doughty New Zealand aviatrix was unanimously re-elected as governor for the territory of New Zealand, the other world stvtional governors elected being: Mrs. Carlos Reavis, president of the Women's National Aeronautic Association of the United States; Princess DeiLing, for China; and Mrs. Clarence Gasque of London.

Another notable Britisher who has done much to advance the interests of aviation in Europe in particular was mentioned as Mrs. 11. P. Tate, M.P., of London, and she was chosen chairman of the International Airmail Committee, others on the same department being selected as follows: Mrs. Ruth Bryan Owen, U.S. Plenipotentiary to Denmark; Miss May Rolwon, the AustralianLondon actress, of Hollywood; Mrs. Carrie Jacobs Bond, the well-known Hollywood novelist; and Miss Marjoric Douglas, Johannesburg, South Africa. / Lady Kingsford Smith Elected.

The election of other officers resulted in exceptional interest being evidenced for the posts of vice-presidents. Mrs. McQueen reported that she had written to Australia inviting Lady Kingsford Smith to associate herself with the Women's International Association of Aeronautics, in response to information gleaned from Sir Charles' brother, Mr. R. H. K. Smith, a steamship official in San Francisco, who had intimated that from letters he had received from Sydney he understood Lady Smith had resolved to endeavour to carry out the aspirations of her lost husband and believed she would not be averse to acting in some capacity 011 the W.I.A.A. Mrs. McQueen was pleased beyond measure to receive a cablegram from Sydney from Lady Kingsford Smith expressing her willingness to serve as an officer of the W.I.A.A. The association members assembled at the annual meeting were greatly cheered by the announcement and conferred the honour of first vice-president upon Lady Kingsford Smith. Other vice-presidents were chosen as follows: Fraulcin Tliea Rasche, Germany; Lady Isobel Chaytor, London; and Mrs. Dolores Bonney, Brisbane, Australia.

Mrs. McQueen was re-elected honorary president, and Mrs. Allis Miller Hutchings, daughter of the late Mr. Frank Miller, of .Riverside, and who was decorated by the Japanese Emperor for his world peace efforts and especially for his successful endeavours in furthering international fellowship between Japan and the U.S.A., was re-elected secretary.

Viscountess Allenby, of England, was re-elected the association's patroness, and honorary members selected were Mrs. Richard Byrd, Mrs. Josefina de Ortiz 1-tubio and Madame ScliumannHeink. Appeal for World Peace. Mrs. McQueen reported over 300 compositions had been received from different parts of the world, including New Zealand, Australia. Panama, Europe, | Canada and . the U.S.A., in the associa- '■ tion's aeronautical poem and flying song contests. It was the lirst contest of its kind in the history of aviation, and the judges were now working assiduously to reach a verdict as to winners. * At a most influential reception at Princess Dei"'Ling's Hollywood mansion, the Chinese trophy was presented to Lady Druninioiid-llay, who, in response, delivered a stirring address, stressing the importance played by women in the world of aviation. An appeal to the world was issued for rill air-minded women to stimulate interest in aeronautics and make the world "air-minded for peace," by "wings around the world for peace, prosperity and world friendship," as the chief objective.