MODERN FEMINISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 146, 22 June 1937, Page 12

MODERN FEMINISTS.

An Enlightened and Educated Womanhood.

Continuing the weekly social afternoons organised by the secretary, Mrs. Mere Newton, and memliors of the social committee of Epsom-Oak branch of the New Zealand Labour party, there was a large attendance at t lie branch rooms at Epsom on Saturday afternoon last, when Mrs. Marion Hurst was the speaker. Taking as her subject the women's movement, Mrs. Hurst traced how women through the ages had climbed from a position of oppression and slavery to intellectual and political freedom. The modern feminist movement started with women uniting against unjust labour conditions and for the right to the best conditions for their children, also for the freedom to exercise the franchise and take a share in the planning of their country's social organisation. In its present position, after years of sacrifice and striving, tlio movement has resulted in whole countries, perhaps eventually the whole world, being reorganised by men and women. The developments of modern science, and the threat of another world war, would, said the speaker, necessitate this, for in scientific warfare there was no battlefront, and women and children would suffer equally with the combatant armies; this constituted a threat against the continuance of the race which , women must help to combat. Also no economic reconstruction was feasible unless with the co-operation of women, who, as buyers of food, clothing and home requirements constituted a powerful economic force. The best safeguard of liberal thought and fair government I was an enlightened and educated woman- ' hood. | Songs were rendered by Mrs. Killip ! and Mrs. Jacobs, and afternoon tea served by the social committee, followed by general discussion and by community singing. Among those present were:— Mesdames Hall, Philcott, C. Briggs, fillip, sen., Killip, juu.. J. McDonald, Jolly, Harris, Booth, Gibson, Garside, Garlick, Laity, Manuel, Evans, Frost, Starkev, E. M. Stenlake, Allen Stenlake.