Need To Break Language Barrier Emphasised

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29956, 18 October 1962, Page 2

Need To Break Language Barrier Emphasised

(From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, October 17. An appeal to New Zealanders to make an earnest endeavour to break down the language barrier in the interests of better understanding between individuals and nations was made by Mrs Mary Fraser, of Timaru, in an interview today on her return from the ninth triennial congress of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in Oslo.

Mis Fraser, immediate pest-president of the New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs and leader of the New Zealand delegation to Oslo, said that even at this late hour New Zealanders should attempt to brush up their knowledge of foreign languages or learn new ones with a view to greater international understanding. ‘‘Other people are making an attempt with our language and we are the losers by not speaking theirs,” she said. Having shared hotel accommodation -with English, French, and Japanese women, as well as delegates from Sweden and Finland, Mrs Fraser said there was nothing more rewarding than to achieve a “breakthrough” of ideas. ‘‘Staggering Facility” The entire business of the congress was conducted in French and English. There were two interpreters. Delegates spoke impeccable English. “The delegates* facility with languages was staggering,” she said. About 900 women from about 20 countries attended the congress. Among the speakers were the international president (Miss Elisabeth Feller, of Zurich), and the president of the Norwegian Federation (Mrs Thordis Saxlund). Mrs Aase Bjerkholt, Norwegian Minister of Family and Consumer Affairs, performed the opening ceremony. The New Zealand contingent consisted of six, including four observers. The other delegate. Miss Mary Wilson, of Wellington, has not yet returned to New Zealand. Personal Contacts The congress was of great value, but perhaps more important were the personal contacts—relationships dedeveloped with persons of every race and creed. This

“ intermarriage of Ideas" was for the betterment of business and professional women, said Mrs Fraser. Mrs Fraser treasures the knowledge that every national federation was inter-

ested in encouraging women to equip themselves for jobs requiring the highest qualifications. “It is stimulating to know what other women are doing, and what has been achieved,” Mrs Fraser said.

Of special interest was a discussion on the teacher and vocational training centre for refugee girls at Ramallah, Jordan, said Mrs Fraser. One speaker had challenged the federation to participate more energetically than ever before in the solution at some of the urgent, human, and almost frightening problems of ignorance. illiteracy, poverty and disease. . “• '■

Since her departure from Wellington on May 8, Mrs Fraser has visited Britain and Europe, Canada, and America. “We left New Zealand armed with posters, souveniors, books, travel literature and publicity material supplied by the Tourist Department. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity of presenting it. But the Norwegian federation has undertaken to distribute the material to schools,” she said. Mrs Fraser said she would be reporting to New Zealand clubs on the business of the congress.