Government Action Not Enough For Progress

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30177, 8 July 1963, Page 2

Government Action Not Enough For Progress

The advancement, which was being planned and hoped for throughout the world, could not be achieved by Government action alone. It required the action of freely-organised voluntary bodies, said Mrs Erwin Schuller, newly-elected president of the International Council of Women, when addressing the council’s conference recently in Washington, D.C.

Mrs Schuller said she believed that the International Council of Women and the national councils were necessary* to wholesome social life and growth.

“This is, perhaps. a commonplace to experienced council members,'’ she said “It is clear to you that even though a national constitution may be created ensuring legal end political rights, only the intimate educating influence of voluntary organisations can bring into harmony ancient values and modern patterns of life—can offer the practice of personal responsibility in society.

"I suppose the reason why I have for so long been convinced of the necessity for the work of the I.C.W. in the world today, is that I came into my knowledge of the international council through the expression of its thought and work at official intergovernmental conferences. "In Geneva. Paris and London I read from its informed interventions in inter -governmental discussion, the meaning of its approach to human problems and the quality of its daily work in many countries, cities and towns," she said. Touchstone The meaning was clearly expressed in the council's constitution and motto: “The I.C.W. has an abiding concern for the quality of human relationships’’ Ths concern—7s years old

ference—was the touchstone tor questions of today, she said. “It is timeless in its relevance to human life on our planet.” she said ‘‘Again and again our predecessors in this office and throughout the

council have shown that by living in this spirit, our organisation can survive periods of trial, pain and darkness in human history. “It is our great privilege to express our belief in the integrity of the free human spirit in this day of unprecedented change.” she said. Presentation By U.K. Mrs Schuller, who was born in Canada, now Mves in New York where she is liaison officer tor the I.C.W. at the United Nations. She was presented as a candidate for office by the National Coun-

cil of Women of Great Britain. where she spent many years in World War II and later. Mrs W. Grant (Christchurch), president of the National Council of Women of New Zealand and the Dominion’s only official delegate, said in a letter that the conference ended last week with a State dinner in the dining hall at the State Department “From the day conference opened I have had committee or executive meetings from 9 ajn. to 6.30 p.m., with only a lunch break End always some function in the evening,” she said. Women leaders in Government. education and human rights in 50 countries of the free world attended the conference. Altogether 431 delegates and observers registered. New national councils accepted for affiliation by the international council included the following: the Cameroons, Kenya, Cyprus, Ecuador, Liberia, Luxemburg, Central Africa, Trinidad, Sierra Leone. Niger, and the Cdngo.

-75 years old and renewed at the 1963 con-