PEACE COMMITTEE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 256, 27 July 1939, Page 4

PEACE COMMITTEE

Public Interest In Cuba Conference

MEETING IN WELLINGTON

A wide public interest in the Women’s World Congress for Peace and Liberty, which will be held in Havana, Cuba, in October this year, was indicated by a fully representative meeting of women at the Y.W.C.A., Wellington, yesterday afternoon. Miss Amy Kane was in the chair, and one of the two delegates, Mrs. Elizabeth Kelso, was also present. The other delegate is Mrs. Ray Wynn, Auckland.

Numbers of very prominent women from Jill the democratic countries have sponsored the congress, which is. to consider the problem of the organization of world peace and the part that must be played by women. Miss Kane explained that the meeting had been held to promote interest in the congress among New Zealand women and to consid 'r means of financing the delegates. She explained the motives behind the original American sponsors of the congress, and detailed what had already been done toward it in New Zealand. There were three speakers. Mrs. B. L. Dallard, president of the National Council of Women; Mrs. McLean, president of the committee of ‘‘Women Today,” and Mrs. Elsie Freeman, and Miss E. M. North, principal of the Wellington Girls 1 College. A motion was passed that the Government be asked for financial support to send the delegates to Cuba. Miss Kane said that the Government had shown a very sympathetic interest in the Pan-Pacific Conference in Wellington in 1940. which was complementary to the Cuban conference, so they could hope for support in this also. “If £15.000.000 can be used for defence, which means war. why not for peace?” asked one of the speakers. Miss M. England reminded the meeting that Mr. J. G. Coates was one of the first supporters of the Pan Pacific Association, having given a delegation a contribution on the first occasion it approached the Government some years ago. Miss Kane outlined some of the discussions which would be included in the conference. They came under the heads of Problems of Peace, Modern Warfare, Democracy as a Force for Peace, The Role of Women in the Organization of Peace and Defence against Aggression, The Task of Women’s Organizations. Under these latter heads the discussions include those on the role of the woman In every walk of life, including the mother, the intellectual, land workers, and civil servants. Co-ordin-ation of effort and participation in work for world peace and liberty, and the education of the masses, and assistance to the nations which have become victims of aggression, will also be discussed. The Speakers. . Mrs. J. G. McLean and Mrs. Elsie Freeman outlined the qualifications of the delegates. Mrs. Kelso, as organizer of the women’s institutes, was well known to country women throughout New Zealand, and was fully qualified to represent their point of view. Not only was she conversant with life on the land and farm home conditions, but she had a practical knowledge of the Maori, and also was very conversant with current world affairs. On the other hand, Mrs. Ray Wynn, Auckland, was specially qualified to represent the town and city women. She bad a knowledge of industrial life, and had for many years been prominent in the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

Mrs. Freeman said that the one weakness in the Pan-Pacific conferences of the past was the link with the west. The link with the East was very strong, and to send a New Zealand delegation to the conference would strengthen the weak link, specially with America.

Mrs. Dallard said the conference would be a wonderful opportunity for women to come together and co-oper-ate on a world basis. It was also an opportunity for women to show that what was wanted was not so much pacifism, but a psychology for peace. Miss North said it was hard for anyone to feel faith and confidence in the effects of a peace conference with the present state of world affairs, “One must be ready with sound reasons against criticism," she said. The fact that the congress was called for peace and liberty was heartening, in her opinion. “The word peace presupposes that it is the opposite of war, but the word liberty does not,” she said. Miss North spoke of the threats to liberty and the methods of safeguarding it.’ “Where there is true liberty there will be peace.” she said. “Only under tyranny, oppression, and injustice will war flourish. The' conference in Cuba is a matter for every woman in New Zealand and for every woman in the world. Ido think it essential that New Zealand should send delegates.” Mrs. Kelso was introduced to the meeting and made a brief speech. There was never a time in history, she said, when women should combine more closely. “None of us has faith in conferences any more,” said Mrs. Kelso. “In the past each country’s representative has come with bls individual country’s interest at heart. Surely, with women so attached to culture, home life, and the procreation of life, they will not be inspired by the economic forces of their countries. but by the united desire to put an end to the tragedy of War.” Mrs. Kelso was greeted with acclamation when she said that she had long considered a women’s committee was needed to advise the New Zealand Government on matters pertaining to women’s affairs and welfare.

Mrs. Bradley said that she hoped the peace committee to be set up at the meeting would continue its work after arrangements were completed for the congress, nnd use its energies for encouraging and promoting peace-minded-ness in the homes throughout the conn try. A vote of confidence in the delegates was passed by the meeting and it was agreed that the meeting should become a general committee. Connnitfee Elected. An executive was set up as follows: Miss Amy Kime, chairman. Mesdames Stewart. M.P.. J. G. McLean B. I. Dalia rd. C.P.S., Boyer, Elsie Freeman, C. Reid. Mnlconronne. M. J. Forde, D. M Martin, and Loaclie. The general committer* consists of Mesdames M. England, G. B Stubbs A. C. Vardey. A. Baker, J. C. Young. D. E. Reynolds. D. M. Martin A Muriel. E. A. Thornton, N. Blanall. N. Cade, D. Brinstead, W. M. Gibson, J W. Stables, E. McGowan, J. Symons, L. Gloson, J. G. Willis, L, Morgan, E. f

W. Ridsdale, and Misses J. L MacKellar, and J. Bicknell.

Among the organizations represented were the Social Progress Movement, Peace Pledge Association, League of Nations Union, Women's Service Guild, Registered Nurses, National Council of Women, Co-operative Women’s League, Labour Party (Wellington! and Westport, Theatrical Workers’ Union Society of Friends, Congregational Women, New Women’s Club (Auckland). Christian Pacifists' Society, and the Spanish Medical Aid.

W. Hall Raine, Photographer Expert In social functions, conferences, dances, etc. Phone 51-128 particulars.—Advt,