MISS ROYDEN

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 93, 14 January 1929, Page 8

MISS ROYDEN

BACK FROM WORLD TOUR

VIEWS ON COUNTRIES VISITED

TERRIFIC ROW OVER A FEW CIGARETTES (Australian Press Assn.-United Service.! (United Service.) (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. January 13, 11.5 p.m.) London, January 13. Miss Maude Royden has arrived at London from her world tour. . Sue was greeted at Victoria Station by scores of admirers and presented with bouquets. She was quite prepared for questions concerning cigarette smoking. . According to the news agency she confessed to a certain amount of criticism in Australia. “In fact, I could not conceive that a few cigarettes could create such a terrific row.” Asked if she would smoke one now she was back in a free country, she replied that she refused to be bullied in America or Australia all the time she was there. She described Australia as a rough-and-ready country, even in the cities, but the Australians were wonderfully hospitable to her, though a good deal scandalised at the idea of her preaching in a cathedral, which she did at Adelaide. “This also caused such a sensation when I preached at the Cathedral at Christchurch that the crowd was positively dangerous.” Australia was a little under the impression that England was sending her “duds” or throw-outs living on the dole. She wished the word dole could be abolished. It embittered people, besides giving a wrong impression.

Miss Royden’s views were more moderately expressed in the “Observer.” She stressed the live interest of Australia in international affairs. She found Australians tremendously keen on the work of the League of Nations. She urged speakers going thither to choose that kind of subject.. She praised the baby clinics and the reduction of infant mortality. Nothing was lacking in her reception at Adelaide once the ice was broken. The biggest crowd was in Christchurch.