MONSTER RALLY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 170, 21 July 1941, Page 9

MONSTER RALLY

POST-WAR PROBLEMS

WOMEN MEET AT TOWN HALL

it the idea of forming a movement for post-war reconstruction, a rally of women was held in the Tow n Hall yesterday afternoon. There was a large attendance, the gathering including a fail - sprinkling of men. It was stated that the meeting was part of a Dominion movement and a preliminary to iV- iV n " a national conference in \\ ellmgton. The Mayoress. Mrs. J. A. C. A Hum presided, and the meeting opened with a prayer by Mrs. Mav Harvev president of the Crusade "for l'eace and brotherhood. Mrs. A Hum said it was the dutv of every citizen to help better his country. The national conference was designed to bring people of goodwill together for the moral and material reconstruction which would be necessary after the war. In considering the question of post-war reconstruction, many minds thought of material things. While these were important, the reconstruction of spiritual things was even more important. Mrs. D. Mcintosh. Dominion president of the National Council of Women, said: "No matter how necessary it may lie that we shall be able to claim military vietorv, that, victory will bring' us nothing more than opportunity to make for ourselves and the rest of the world some particular kind of life. After 1918 we threw awav opportunity to develop the kind of life that, brings peace to the people. This time, we know, plans must be made well ahead." Mrs. Mcintosh emphasised the point that there must be complete co-operation among women. Groups must get together and discuss tilings. The next speaker, Mrs. Hedda Dyson, emphasised the pooling of ideas. "The old order is dvintr and something new must lake its place." she saTd. When Mrs. M. M. Dreaver. the newly elected M P. for Waitemata. rose to speak there was prolonged applause. In acknowledging the congratulations conveyed to her by the Mayoress on her election, Mrs. Dreaver said that women were on the up grade and referred to her own success at the polls and the appointment of two women last, week to the Auckland Grammar Schools Hoard. "We are living in a time of strife and war." she said, "and it is time women woke up and helped in the reconstruction of the world." Mrs. Dreaver appealed for more tolerance and understanding. She stressed the value of personal faith and praver. Mrs. Ruby Watson, of the Catholic Women's Guild, stressed the part tinmothers of the world could do, and women generally. Women had f>o per cent of the votes and 82 per cent of the purchasing power was in Unhands of women, she said. Miss .loan Sutherland also gave an appealing address. During the afternoon pianoforte solos were given by Mr. G. Tintner and the Happiness Club sang several pieces. A symbolic play was produced tinder the direction of Mrs. Leslie Watson.