IMPORTANT ROLE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 129, 24 February 1939, Page 4

IMPORTANT ROLE

Women's Work In The ; Modern World ‘‘There is vital need for interclass movements in the modern world,” said Miss Ruth Woodsmall yesterday in gn address which she gave at a reception arranged for her in the Blue. Triangle Hal! by the board of the Wellington Y W.C.A., and to which were invited representatives of the women’s organizations in Wellington. Miss Woodsmall spoke of the Y.W.C.A.'s work in bridging class differences ami said it brought together on terms of equality not only industrial ami business girls but also the. leisured women who held posit ions on the board. The inter-racial significance of the association was also stressed. Miss Woodsmall spoke of the anti-semltic feeling which wtrs so powerful in some parts of the world, find which had not. yet deeply penetrated into New Zealand. Now was tlie time, she said, for New Zealand women to guage the significance to a nation of the infiltration of oilier peoples, so that Hie assets they brought might: he capitalized and they themselves bellied in the adjustments they must make in living in a new country.' The Y.W.C.A., in striving to break down race prejudices, did so through the medium of personal relationship. She .spoke of the part: New Zealand had played in this, .for New Zealand women had filled important posts in branches of the association in many Asiatic countries. Friendships existed through the association between Japanese and Chinese women, who were able to live above the difficulties imposed upon them by the international situation. The development, of women during the twentieth century had not. been an unrestricted march forward, said Mists Woodsmall. In the same year in which 17 women were admitted to the Turkish Parliament .35 women were expelled from the Reichstag. There was wide difference of opinion as to their true role in tlie modern world, but in Geneva, which was the headquarters of so many international women’s movements, they were regarded as members of a great co-operative enterprise. ’The group of women there was small, but their influence was world-wide, and Ihe problems they dealt with had a deep social and economic significance. Peace concerned them very much. The collective efforts of women for peace were still as concerted as a few years ago when there was an easier optimism concerning it. In Support of Governments. A few years ago she had attended an international conference in Java, and in the hall where they mot the delegates were arranged in a semicircle. In the front row were government representatives, and immediately behind them were representatives of the women’s movements. This was symbolical of women as a second line of defence, supporting the effort, of governments toward better social conditions. ‘■The world today is too busy to support inconsequential movements,” Miss IVoodsmall said, “and each group must analyze its own specific contribution, and be conscious of it.” The modern ideal was to expand consciously toward a more abundant life for women, so that they might be more fully equipped to take their place in the world. A greater consciousness of spiritual power was needed, tod, for we stood today in a moment of history in which the world required reaffirmation of faith, a less fatalistic acceptance of war and less devotion to man-made loyalties which were narrowly conceived. It was only through spiritual power that this faith could 'lie attained. The reception was very pleasant and gave many of those present an opporv tunity of talking with Miss IVoodsmall over afternoon tea, which was served at the conclusion of her speech. On arrival the guests were received by Mrs. R. Gardner (president of the Wellington Y.W.C.A.), Lady Pomare, Mrs. J. Mitchell. Mrs. E. IV. Hunt, and Miss L. IV. Bridgman (all members of the Wellington board). Mrs. Gardner welcomed Miss IVoodsmall as a great traveller, a great author, and, most of all, as a great Y.IV.C.A. worker. A welcome from the National Y.IV.C.A. was expressed by Mrs. H. D. Bennett, and Mrs. M. H. Charfield (vice-president of the National Council of Women) welcomed her on behalf of the women’s organizations present.

The room was charmingly arranged with flowers and Maori decorations. Miss Tahiwi played and sang, including one number of her own composition.