WELCOME TO DELEGATES

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23003, 24 April 1940, Page 2

WELCOME TO DELEGATES

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN DOMINION CONFERENCE OPENS “When you visit Christchurch you are in the home of the National Council of Women of New Zealand,’’ said Miss Mildred Trent (Dominion president), in welcoming officers and delegates to the opening of the council’s Dominion conference at Chancery House yesterday morning. It is fitting that the council, which was formed in Christchurch in April, 1896, three years after the granting of the franchise to ■ New Zealand women, should in April of the Dominion’s centennial year return to 1 its birthplace for conference. Miss Trent listed briefly some of the objects for which the women of 44 years ago fought, amongst them being the old age pensions. They sought, not the liberal provision made at present, but a modest 7s 6d a week for adults at the age of 65 years, providing 25 years of that time they had resided in New Zealand. Equality for men and women in the divorce laws was another of the early objectives. One church paper had been indignant at the proposal and had demanded that women should read the epistles of St. Paul, said Miss Trent. Stand for Peace “I feel ’that so many people, more able than I, have expressed the rights and wrongs of this war, but it is well to remember . that the International Council of Women has worked unceasingly for peace.’’ said the president. She pointed out that as early as 1897 Lady Aberdeen had advocated peace by arbitration—an idea which was ridiculed at the time, but the seed had been sown and had gone on growing, although it was still an ideal to be achieved. “We women hate war and we know that economically, ethically, and spiritually it is wrong. Nevertheless when confronted with the present circumstances we are ready and willing to do our bit to support our Empire in its struggle for the freedom of. the nations, and we cannot help but feel proud of belonging to a nation like ours. We cannot do very much at present but the practical everyday things which come our way, but we could and should begin to think of peace and adjustments that must be made when the war ends, and I think that we should join with other women in asking that at the peace conference after the war there should be women representatives as well as men,” said Miss Trent. A Record of Service In the centennial year it was appropriate, she said, that some mention should be made of the women who were members of the early council, and it was worthy of note that Miss H. K. Lovell-Smith, a delegate from Dunedin, was a member of the third generation of one family that had interested itself in the affairs of the council during the last 44 years. Early photographs of the pioneer women of the movement, arranged on the walls, included both Mrs Smith and the first president of the council, Mrs A. K. W. Sheppard (later Mrs Lovell-Smith). From many of the notes left by Mrs Sheppard, Miss M. B, Lovell-Smith had been able to compile a centennial history of the council. Dominion Most “Truly British” The annual. report, read by Miss I. M. Jamieson (acting-secretary), congratulated the Auckland and Christchurch branches on having completed 21 years of work. The council now has 14 branches, representing 233 societies and 75,181 women. During the year greetings had been received from the National Council of Women in Canada, South Africa, and Great Britain. Canada’s president, Mrs G. Spencer, had referred to New Zealand as “the most truly British of the British Commonwealth of Nations,” and had wished it a “great future.” The many discussions and representations made by the council regarding drinking in dance halls had resulted in legislation that was proving effective in combating the evil, stated the report.

THE ROYAL EMPIRE SOCIETY

An enjoyable evening was spent by members at the United Societies’ club rooms, where Miss Alice Candy gave an interesting address oh the “Historical Side of the Empire,” and answered many questions. Members were later entertained at supper.

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

REPORT BY MISS E. ANDREWS At the afternoon session of the Dominion conference of the National Council of Wonjein yesterday, Miss Elsie Andrews o|4w presented the report oh education in New Zealand, which she had written in response to a questionnaire from the International Council of Women. Miss Andrews explained that each country affiliated with the International Council had been asked to define its ideal system of education and the strongest and weakest features in its education system. She had written that the aim of the educational system should be co-operation rather than competition. The strongest feature of the New Zealand system was, she thought, its democratic basis. Ninety per cent, of the people received the same type of education, and while not perfect, the system had a valuable influence. The least successful -feature of the system was its lack of application of scientific, methods in psychology and psychiatry. There was great need, she, said, for the establishment of clinics for registration and classification of children, and time should be devoted to the study of« problem children. Miss Andrews’s report was “one of the most enlightened and one of the most progressive reports submitted to the National Council, and if carried out in its entirety would revolutionise child welfare and the treatment of delinquent children,” said Miss Carnachan (Auckland), who, as an educationist, has for many years been interested in child welfare and the care of retarded children. “Not until we get women occupying administrative positions in the Education Department will the importance of these subjects be brought before the public, and Miss Andrews’s report is a valuable piece of work,” said ■ Miss Carnachan. In response to many requests it was decided to have copies of the complete report sent to branches of the council and arrange for distribution to individual members. A similar arrangement was made regarding the report on “Housing in New Zealand,” prepared by Miss I. M. Jamieson, and the first of its kind to be sent from the council to the International Council. Other Reports Miss E. Melville’s report on the “Laws and Legal Position of Women” brought before members several legal points with which they were not familiar. The fact that a man may sue his wife for maintenance was news to many women present. Miss Melville pointed out that although provision for women police had been made some time ago in the Statutes Amendment Act, women police had not yet been appointed. It was not creditable to the National Council that members had not besieged the Government to see that appointments were made, she said. • Because of l .e great interest taken in a number of the standing committee reports, it was decided that in future reports should reach the Dominion secretary at least two months before the conference, so that copies could be sent to the branches and delegates could have an opportunity of studying the subject matter before arriving at the conference. In this way, • also, the reports sent on to the International Council of Women would then be the considered opinion of the National Council of New Zealand. Other reports submitted during the afternoon included'that of the health committee, compiled by Dr. Sinclair and read by Miss L. Sullivan (Dunedin); press. Miss Basten (Auckland); child welfare, Miss Carnachan (Auckland); broadcasting. Miss M. G. Hayelaar; arts and crafts, prepared by Miss I. M. Copeland and read by Miss H. K. Lovell-Smith (Dunedin);- I.C.W. Bulletin report, prepared by Miss S. E. Jackson and read by Miss Jamieson. . . A devotional service in the morning was conducted by Archdeacon A. K. Warren.

FRIENDS OF ST. GEORGE’S

ANNUAL MEETING SUCCESSFUL YEAR REPORTED; Mr George Gould presided yesterday at a well attended and very sue-' ceskful meeting of the Friends .'dfr ; SL George’s ( Hospital, held in the Winter Garden. Mr Gould, as chairman of the executive of the hospital, compile raented the Friends on their splen* did achievements during the year and thanked them for their help. They had, he said, paid £l2O to tar-seal theentrance and parking places at: >the hospital, they had ear-marked a further £BO to pay for the fprmation of a footpath and they had bought a diathermy plant for the hospital. Furthermore, they had Undertaken to pay -the interest on the purchase price of a recently acquired section of land fronting Heaton street. Reviewing the general conduct of hospital affairs, Mr Gould said that the executive was steadily improving its financial position. Hospital activities had been somewhat influenced by the difficulty of securing nursing staff and by the general rise in costs, but the difficulty to patients had been sorrier what eased by help from social security benefits. “Social security, as • fair as it has gone, is, I think, a good thing,” concluded *Mr Gould. "It is right to help the old and no one will grudge giving money to help tl\e sick.” Archbishop Averill said that-for SO years he had held services in hospitals. first in: London, and. for the; last 46 ; years in New Zealand—in Christchurch, Napier, and Auckland. The Friends of St. George’s were, doing; a noble work in "lielping the sick and suffering. True to the name of St. George, who traditionally slew dragons, they were helping to slay at least one dragon that afflicted humanity. Archdeacon A. K. Warren briefly traced the history of the founding of St. George’s hospital and hoped that in time, it would be possible to have free beds for the use Of the poor. Mr R. J. G. Collins, treasurer of the executive, gave a statement of accounts and paid a warm tribute to the tireless work of Miss F. Hiatt. After a vote of thanks had been accorded the chairman, a pleasant musical programme was given by the Rev. S. Woods and Mrs Rita Jamieson. Mrs Stephen Parr played the accompaniments for, Mr Woods’ songs, and Mrs F. P. Osmond Smith accompanied Mrs Jamieson. Tea was served by the committee.

EVENING RECEPTION

VISITORS ENTERTAINED Delegates to the Dominion Conference of the National Council of Women, which opened in Christchurch yesterday, were entertained last night at an enjoyable reception given by members of the Canterbury Women’s Club at their rooms, Manchester street. The visitors were welcomed by Mrs R. J, McLaren, president of the club, and Miss M. G. Havelaar, president of the Christchurch branch of the National Council, added her words of welcome, and thanked the Canterbury Women’s Club for its generous hospitality. Miss I. M. Jamieson gave an interesting and informative account of the Jubilee conference of the International Council of Women, that she attended in Edinburgh. The conference lasted a fortnight and was attended by 900 delegates from 31 countries. As a memento of that conference. Miss Jamieson presented to the National Council of New Zealand a medallion, which she handed to the Dominion President, .Miss M. Trent, with the suggestion that it should be in the possession of each Dominion president while she held office. Miss Trent thanked Miss Jamieson for her gift and said that it would formally pass from each outgoing Dominion president to her successor. After Miss Jamieson’s address pianoforte solos were played by Mrs J. C. Cullman and an amusing one-act play, produced by Mr Clive Moody, was presented by Mrs H. Wyatt. Misses Pat Simpson. Marijan Edmonds. Joan, Gracie, Mr Moody, and Mr Eric L. Cordery.