WOMEN THE WORLD OVER

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21714, 22 February 1936, Page 2

WOMEN THE WORLD OVER

(sfscujxt warns* worn nt> rmsssj IBy ATAEiifTA.]

The "International. Women's. News" in its January number is brimming over with interesting chat about women's victories in 1935. Canada began that year with one woman in her Lower House and ~:0ne woman in the 'Senate She ended it with two women -in- each. We began with one and ended with none. Constitutions were much in the air and somewhat in the melting-pot during 1935, but one salaams heartily to go-ahead little Cuba, which has put into hers absolutely equal political rights for men and women. Who says there is no rising in the Spanish dough? Certainly this cannot be said of the Republican regime in Spain itself, which has frankly abolished the regulation of prostitution. Significance attaches to the same abolition in Japan. I cannot but think that this proof of moral progress owes its origin to the powerful influence of our late visitor, Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa. The same principle of abolition has been recommended by a Government Committee in Egypt and is apparently accepted as a.policy to be set in operation. Returning to the purely political arena, one rejoices to see that the elections in Czechoslovakia have landed five women in the Senate and eight in the other chamber. Here we see the leaven of moral enlightenment as fostered under the recent President,' Tomaso Masaryk, who, with his active daughter, Dr. Alice Masaryk, has been a true friend to the women of that fine young State. Its once retarded neighbour, Hungary, has succeeded in returning two women to parliament and coming down to tin-tacks, as it were, Hungary to most of us sounds a mixture of romance, repression, and outland art symbols. Ireland has passed a new nationality bill, the details of which have not come to hand yet, save that it maintains equal rights . for men and women, with one small exception dealing with the transmission of nationality from a parent to a child. That four women were elected to the Lower House in Sweden is nowise surprising—less so, indeed, than the very proper and far from early gift to women in eligibility to serve as Judges in the children's courts, a right we have been using to good purpose ourselves for some years. Finally, Turkey, no doubt encouraged by the Istambul Conference, has returned no fewer than 17. women to the Nar tional Assembly, while Northern Rhodesia astonished itself by sending its first lady M.P. to "its Legislative Assembly.

A Silver Wedding Celebration

Not seldom has "Atalanta" referred to Mrs Margery Corbett Ashby, who. as president of the International Alliance of Women, is certainly in the front rank of the world's women today. This gifted and gracious Englishwoman, still in her matronly prime, is a figure of national importance in direct succession to Millicent Garrett Fawcett and other here-: ines of the great forward movement of the last four decades. She is reported as of charming appearance and delightfully frank and pleasing address, winning all along-the line, either on the platform or in the drawingroom. A slightly delicate situation is outlined in the women's papers, owing to the very natural desire of her intelligent fellow-countrywomen to hold a hearty celebration of their own lastDecember on the occasion of Mrs Ashby's silver wedding day. But it is only a hop-over from England to the Continent, and some of ther nearer leaders abroad heard of the place and added individually to the British tribute.* The home-born celebrators were of course emphatic oh the impromptu nature of the gathering, and certainly touched a reasonable note in stressing.lhe time needful,to.organise a world-wide function, for which !the moment did not seem suitable." The British Commonwealth League,, the idea of which, I am told, originated in New Zealand more than 20 years ago, probably did not find explanations easier, since the meeting; was- fixed to take place in the American. Women's Club in London. J The league, with Ihe hearty co-operation of kindred socie* ties, organised a thoroughly successful evening, culminating in the presentation of a sapphire and diamond uen-, dant, a cheque, and a book of donors' autographs, beautifully bound and! decorated with symbolic emblems by | artist friends. Among the many speak- j era, fellow-workers with Mrs Ashby for! the most part, New Zealanders would I care most to hear about Dr. Maude Hoyden, still remembered in this 1 city, and the Oriental testimony of an eminent Indian visitor, Mrs -Rama Rau. The aspect that, must have deeply touched Mrs Ashby was the manner in which the cheque (some £300) had been subscribed to by poor women who gladly gave their pennies in gratitude for her labours to help them. Finally, the home element preponderated; her own domestic life as daughter, wife, and mother had been a record of help and sunshine, she said in effect, as she stood there, her husband and her young son, on either side to share that hour of triumph.

"Tints o' Turquoise"

Far from these great doings and" stately celebrations is a wealth of preseijt doing and future promise that is all New Zealand's own. The foun-

dation of a country's greatness is laid in its young life. New Zealand seems to be specialising in wonder-children. Very bright, auspicious work is being done in the juvenile pages of our newspapers. The poetry written by Gloria Rawlinson, of Auckland, from her eighth to her sixteenth year is giving competent critics powerfully to think. But Wellington, too, has a child-poet who has almost raced Gloria into print. "Atalanta". has been shown a charming booklet of verse, published j by the Civic Press, Johnsonville, and! written by Marion Hogg, aged 13. Its! name, "Tints o' Turquoise," is itself an arresting introduction to the contents. It may be she is descended from the Scottish poet called the Ettrick Shepherd, who wrote "Kilmeny," judged by many to be the finest* fairy j poem in the world. Already Marion Hogg has a mastery of varied metre, an ear for melody, and a choice of words and themes which are amazing for so:young a writer. Naturally she is busy trying her wings like a young butterfly from flower to' flower, and it will be an interesting study- to watch the trend of her maturing powers. She will have a strong,hold on the ballad style, which is all tool little in favour with our young singers now, who too commonly affect a:certain frosted nippiness, probably mistaken for precocious maturity—if that is. not a contradiction in terms It may be predicted that for tWs.stmi newer young aspirant there is a future that -wll not shame the grand old Ettrick tradition waiting on the name of Marion Hogg. j NEW BRIGHTON FREE KINDERGARTEN A meeting of the committee of the New Brighton Free Kindergarten was held this week, the convener, Mrs H. A. Bishop, presiding over a good pttendance. , ~ '■> A? motion of sympathy in the, death of her husband was. passed to Mrs L. Carma4t,.a former convener of the kindergarten. „ ' The annual meeting was arranged for Thursday next in St. Faith's Hall The meeting will -be followed^by' a short musical programme and supper.

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