PAN-PACIFIC CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 210, 6 September 1938, Page 13

PAN-PACIFIC CONFERENCE.

Widespread Interest Shown by Women

Miss Elsie Andrews, who has made an intensive tour of Xew Zealand in connection with the fifth Pan-Pacific Women's Conference, to he held in Wellington in 1040, explained to a general meeting of committees what had beer, done, says the "Evening Post." Slid said it was "hoped that the visitors from overseas Avould be given good opportunities to observe and participate in New Zealand home and rural life at the conclusion of the conference activities. Miss Andrews said it was gratifying to find in the 52 centres visited that so much interest was evinced in this important meeting of women. She had given 82 talks and four radio broadcasts besides addresses at clubs, schools and colleges. Forty-six locality committees had been set up, and 3000 representative women had attended her addresses. Her object was to start study circles in connection with the suTij.ets which would come forward for discussion. The second was to try ajid set up small committees to carry on the work until January, 1940, and thirdly to pay expenses arid still have*some funds In hand. The tour showed a net balance of £87, and Miss Andrews claimed that the itinerary had been worth the expense, for it had been most successful in every way. Accommodation for Delegates. The matter of accommodation for delegates had been gone into by the sub-committee set up for this purpose, and whicli reported that Wallace House. Lower Hutt, was inspected and could accommodate 20 people. The meeting decided to make use of Wallace House for delegates, possibly the New Zealand party, who will be required to arrive at Wellington one week before the conference opens. The finding of a suitable buildirjg in Wellington where the conference could be held was discussed. Miss Andrews said the Wellington Technical College was considered a suitable place, because there were sufficient suitable rooms for round-table conferences and for the staff, and up to 1000 people could bo accommodated in the main hall during the forum. It was agreed by members to apply formally for the lise of this building for the conference. Regarding knowledge of the country, it was suggested that members of the women's division of the Farmers' Union should be approached about the urban arrangements, while it was hoped that city people would be ready with hospitality also. The programme chairman (Miss L. Sullivan, Dunedin), reporting on the study groups, stated that they had been greatly inspired by the visit of Miss Andrews, and more applications had been received. Miss Andrews stated that the W.E.A. in Auckland and Wellington had promised ready co-operation. Mr. H. D. Skinner (Dunedin Museum), assisted by Mr. Andersen, had offered to lecture at the conference on Maori art and illustrate with photographic slides. Miss Copeland (Dunedin) had also offered to lecture on art in general.

Drive For New Members. General plans for the 1940 conference were discussed, and Miss Andrews spoke of holding a drive for more members. She also thought it would be fitting that a Maori welcome be extended to visitors' on their arrival, and had received the assurance that at the opening of the conference a band of Maori people would be present to welcome the delegates. The Tourist Department had agreed to issue a handbook for the preliminary use of overseas delegates. It was suggested that extra data concerning climatic conditions and suitability of wardrobe should be included in the handbook to enable people to come prepared and to know exactly how they would And conditions on arrival here. It was decided to send thanks to those who had! helped Miss Andrews in any way during her tour. The meeting adjourned after short discussions on other subjects had been heard.