APPEALED TO HITLER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 40, 10 November 1939, Page 4

APPEALED TO HITLER

Women's Last-Minute Effort For Peace

Recounting how, when it seemed that the decision of peace- or war lay m his hands, a hist desperate appeal in the name of his mother had been made to Herr Hitler by the International Council of AVomen. an interesting letter from the interna.tional president, Baroness Boel, was read by Airs.. B. L. Dallard, president of the AVellington branch of the N.C-.AA., at a meeting this week. The letter went on to describe the' heroic efforts of Queen AVilbelmina of Holland to prevent the world being once more plunged into chaos, and finished with a ray of hope, for Baroness Boel stressed the fact that there was neither hate nor bitterness in the hearts of the people of the countries at war. Since the previous meeting of the council the interval has been employed by the sub-committee set up to inquire into the matter of waste in wartime, and incidentally at all times; waste not only in the generally accepted meaning of the term, but in a wider sense — waste of opportunity, health and effort.

One of the first aspects to be discussed was that of girls, partly through their degree courses at the university or in tlie middle of some training which would enable them to take their rightful place in the economic life of the -nation, and who had been called back, because of the war, to help in the home or on the farm. This was felt to be waste of the most serious type. Aliss England, who brought this aspect before the council, said that in these days of economic insecurity no father could be certain of leaving his daughters provided for, and it was a definite responsibility on the part of all parents —even at the cost of some sacrifice —to see that their daughters were qualified to make their way in life.

Airs. Hefford pointed out that the British War Office had given instructions to the universities that students partly through their courses were not to be allowed to enlist in any of die services, and that in spite of Britain’s need for men. It was recalled how many young men had joined up during the last war and on their return had not completed their studies, wasting both their opportunities and the taxpayer’s money. It was feared that this might happen again in New Zealand unless urgent steps were taken. It was felt that the widest possible publicity should be given to this serious form of waste and that public opinion should I>e awakened to the value of the trained man or woman as an asset to the country. Women Police. Great satisfaction was expressed by the members at the news that Air. Fraser had visited Scotland Yard, and had discussed women police with Aliss Peto, -Superintendent of the AVomen’s Branch. As one member remarked, it seemed as if the efforts of 40 -years’ work on the part of the council were at last to be realized. Airs. Hefford explained to members some of the aims of the Food A alue League, and on the motion of Aliss E. AL North, it was carried that a letter be sent, to the league, assuring, it of the sympathy of the council in its efforts'to spread the knowledge of a balanced diet and to achieve a better distribution of food supplies. 'This being the last meeting of the year, it was resolved that all urgent business should be left in the hands of the executive, and a vote of thanks was passed -to the president for the way in which she had handled urgent business which had recently come before the council.