“AT HOME”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22358, 23 March 1938, Page 2

“AT HOME”

MISS KATHLEEN COURTNEY ENTERTAINED

WOMAN DELEGATE TO GENEVA SUGGESTED

The Latimer Hall was crowded yesterday afternoon for the “at home” given by the president and board of directors of the Young Women's Christian Association in honour of Miss Kathleen Courtney, president of the British section of the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom, Mrs B. H. Gilmour (chairwoman) apologised for the absence of the president of the association, Mrs F. M. Warren, who is out of town, and afterwelcoming Miss Courtney, presented her with a spray of pink carnations. Others on the platform were Lady Acland, who is Miss Courtney’s hostess during her stay in Christchurch, Mrs J. Mackay, and Miss P. Hindle, general secretary of the Young Women’s Christian Association. The hall had been beautifully decorated for the occasion with marigolds, fuchsias, and massed palms, ferns, and flowering shrubs. Mrs Walter Ross, who sang two songs during the afternoon, was accompanied at the piano by Mrs Lionel Mansel. In acknowledging the welcome given her by representatives of women’s organisations of Canterbury, Miss Courtney said that she wished she could find such friendliness between nations as British people found when they visited New Zealand. There was a sad lack of real co-operation between nations to-day. “We read of unspeakable atrocities every day—about the war in the East, the war in Europe, and the war in Spain, and every day I think we must grow a little more callous,” said the speaker. She recalled the sinking of the Titanic years ago. and the genuine grief of those who had not lost friends in the tragedy. To-day infinitely greater numbers of people were losing their lives or all that made life possible—thousands every day —and, said Miss Courtney, we seem to pass by on the other side. She sometimes wondered what women who had children thought of this type of callousness which one almost had to acquire to live in the world to-day, ana the effect these horrors will have on the young generation on whose shoulders the responsibility of the future will rest. < Meaning of Peace

Peace was a word people often spoke of, but there was no virtue in wanting peace. Who but a lunatic did not want peace? The paramount thing was what was meant by peace, and what were people prepared to sacrifice for it. “We shall never get peace until we have a positive conception of it. The negative conception of peace will never inspire anyone, and until we see peace as a harmony between nations we will not get any further ahead. What is wanted is the co-operation of every nation and every individual," said the speaker. Speaking of the changes through which Austria has passed during the post-war years. Miss Courtney said that she did not think that those who have lived in New Zealand all their lives could conceive what life had been like in Vienna after the Great War. The people had not had enough to eat. had not enough fuel for fires, and many had to do without lights at night because they could not afford candles. In time, Austria had been put on a better footing by the League of Nations.

In the present situation in Europe there was a tremendous danger not only to the material things, but to the mind and spirit. Women were organised all over the world, so perhaps through their organisations they would be able to achieve something worth while. International things were political affairs, and women had to study them, and have an opinion as to how peace could be ensured. Women who had joined organisations had awakened to their responsibilities as citizens. By studying international relations and international affairs in their little local groups they could do much good, particularly if their organisations were affiliated with national and international groups. Delegate to Geneva

She suggested that the women of New Zealand should urge their Government to include a woman in the delegation sent to Geneva. When that woman returned to the Dominion she could then tour the country and give first-hand information on international affairs and the League’s activities. Australia generally did send a woman to the conference in Geneva. New Zealand, the first country to enfranchise its women, should not be the _ last to send a woman to said JVliss Courtney, amid applause. She pointed out that there was no cause more worth winning than peace and international friendship, and that cause had to be won by individual men and women. “In the cause of freedom and peace, you women have a great part to play, and my last word to you is to play it, said Miss Courney in conclusion. Mrs Mackay thanked Miss Courtney for her address, and pointed out that in every crisis it was the women who had made the greatest sacrifices. They should seek to influence opinion in the cause of peace. Public opinion was but a mosaic of the private opinions held by untold numbers of people.

CORONATION PROCESSION

miniature display at DEATH’S

Although the Coronation took place nearly 12 months ago. interest in it has by no means waned, - and the miniature display of the procession at Beath and Company’s shop is arousing much interest among the citizens of Christchurch. Everything possible has been done by the designer to give the display a realistic touch, and in this direction he has succeeded to an admirThe brilliance of the decorations which have been much discussed by New Zealand visitors to the Coronation, is a feature of the display, and the background, containing Nelsons column, the House of Commons, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, adds much to the Buckingham Palace, the procession of carriages and troops from Home and the Dominions, all arrayed in their colourful uniforms, proceeds along the Mall and through the Marble Arch. Each side of the Mall is lined with troops presenting arms, and a clever touch has been, given to one company of troops which turns halfright as the gold coach of the King and Queen, drawn by the famous Windsor greys, passes. Behind the troops stand crowds of people dressed in holiday array for the" occasion. The whole display gives persons who were not able to attend the Coronation procession an impression of the event which could not have been obtained otherwise. —9