CHINA TO-DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 87, 12 April 1940, Page 10

CHINA TO-DAY.

Women Important In Leadership

"In China with it- teeming million*. the individual is not so important as in other countries. It i> the movements ■which are important." said Mr. Jamm Bertram. Xew Zealand Khodes Scholar, in an acklresw on Chinese personalities, to member; of the Lyceum Clul> yesterday. "Sir. Bertram explained tlie areat contrasts tli.it existed in the movements and in the leaders and yet. he said, a wonderful unity against a eommon enemy prevailed. This unity was t!ie most tiling in China today. It had been preserved under the greatest difficulty and if it could he maintained it would ensure the future of China.

Sinking of two great women lenders in Chin;!. the speaker mentioned Madame Chiang Kai-shek and Madame Sun at Sen. Re hau mot both women and was impressed by their personalities. The former he described as a woman who would have made her mark anywhere. She was an excellent writer. a. subtle propagandist, and took the limelight gracefully and with effect. She was often praised for the wrong things, however, and her influence was more in the field of moral leadership.. Speaking English perfectly, she had done one great thing in interpreting Chinese conditions to the "West.

Her older sister, Madame Sim Yat Sen. was. in Mr. Bertram's opinion, from first hand knowledge. oT greater importance to China. Here was a name that was an open sesame in China, and her prestige meant a great deal more than Madame Chiang Kai-shek. A believer in mass movements and in the Chinese Revolution she had an enormous influence. HeF personality was most compelling and she was easily China's leading woman.

Although Madame Sun Yat Sen had lived in extreme poverty, many times in serious danger of her life, ehe had remained an impressive figure. She continued to hold the hearts of a large proportion of the population. The president of the club, Mrs. W. H. Parkee, presided.