WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26264, 8 November 1950, Page 2

WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE

ADDRESS BY MRS NETA NEALE Mrs Neta Neale, the speaker at the meeting of associates of the Nation?! Council of Women last evening said that duriiw her recent visit to England she had been impressed by the importance of the place taken bv women '» public affairs and of the high Stannard of public speaking among women. She found that they were well informed on questions affecting women and children, and members of the National Council of Women were d'scussing many international problems including the Atlantic Pact as it affected different countries and the implication of atomic energy as it affected the lives of women and children. By comparison with the lively and intelligent interest taken in national problems in England. Mrs Neale considered, New Zealand women were apathetic. Drawing, attention to recent adverse criticism made of conditions in New Zealand Mrs Neale suggested that women did not realise what some of these conditions were. She mentioned the difference in the amount of money spent on education and on the totalisator in New Zealand, and asked if women were with the conditions and amenities of public libraries in the Dominion, with the lack of hygienic conditions in the serving of food in public places and with the mediocre standard of entertainment available for children.

In some countries she had visited. Mrs Neale said, women had made successful demands for creative and cultural opportunities for young persons. There was much that could be done in this direction by women in New Zealand. >