CHILD WELFARE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 47, 19 November 1925, Page 2

CHILD WELFARE

A meeting called under the auspices of the Wellington branch of the National Council of Women was held in the Red Cross Hall, Dixon Street, for the purpose of considering the vesolutibns bearing upon child welfare which were passed at the Geneva Conference recently. Mrs. Forde was in the chair. It was explained by Miss Kane that nt the quinquennial conference of the International Conference of Women, which was held at Washington some months ago, each National Council was asked to send a representative to attend the' International Child Welfare Conference at Geneva. Dliss Taylor was appointed to represent New Zealand, but as she later found it impossible to attend the conference Dliss Daisy Isaacs was appointed in her place. 41'his conference, which was attended by representatives from very many countries, Mime of them eminent authorities upon public health, social welfare and other phases of national life, drew up a charter which was called the Declaration of. Geneva, in which the rights of the child were fully set out. The resolution's covered three sections—hygiene and medicine, social welfare and administration. education and propaganda. In connection with these resolutions, Miss Kane read a report sent by Miss Isaacs, which dealt with the third section. Mental deficiency, the claims of the illegitimate child, the right of the child to be Put in a position to earn its own livelihood, the welfare of the child who was adopted, and the education of the child in international good will were but a small part of the many phases which were covered. Dlrs. Henry Smith’ gave a precis ot wliat was being done by the Secretariat of the League of Nations in furthering the education of the children of countries belonging to the league in international good work, and the means that had been adopted, in doing sb. One of the most active agents in this was the Junior Red Cross, and others also intensely active were the Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, students’ associations, and similar bodies. _ An animated discussion followed on widows’ pensions, illegitimate children, juvenile courts, and vatious other topics of public interest.

Dliss Murrav will leave to-day for Grevtown to judge the decorative classes at the Greytown flower show.

Dlrs. Ewen Alison has been appointed bon. secretary to the Auckland branch of the Girl Guides, in place of Dlrs. Ely. who has resigned and is leaving for a' visit to England in February.

Beautiful flowers decorated the reception rc-om of the Pioneer Club for the afternoon tea which was given by members yesterday for Dliss Stella Dlurray. Rhododendrons, columbines, delphiniums and Iceland poppies were some of the flowers that were used, and the effect produced was very gay and attractive. The president, Miss Kane, and Dlrs. Ginn received Dliss Dlurray, and in her speech of welcome Miss Kane said how pleased they were to welcome Dliss Dlurray among them, the more so in that she was a New Zealander. Dliss Dlurray, she mentioned, had known- what it was to struggle for success, and for that reason tliev were particularly proud of her achievements. In thanking the club for their welcome, to her. Miss Dlurray said that struggle had made her appreciate success all the more. It was impossible tc have one without the other.'' She was very uroud of the country to which she belonged, and when she signed'her name she was proud to write after it flip words “New Zealander.” A posy of vari-coloured flowers accompanied the welcome which was given. Dliss Dlurray- ’-Tea was served in . the luncheon room, the house committee being in charge of the arrangements. During the afternoon Dlrs. Shaw sang. Dliss Dlurrav wore a frock of black Libertv satin with short open sleeves, a touch of vivid colour being, given bv a flower at the neck. Her black French sailor hat was finished with an osprey plume at one side. The president was in biege marocam with red and .cold coloured embroideries an'd bat to match.