WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 125, 29 May 1928, Page 13

WOMEN IN PRINT.

Mrs. English, Hamilton, is a visitor to Wellington. Mrs. 1\ J. Parkinson has returned to Greymouth from Wellington. . Miss A. Rowlands, Wellington, is a visitor to Pahiatua. Mrs. Lewer, Wellington, is the guest of Mrs. G. W. Keeling, Stratford. • Miss Crow, Bunedin, is in Wellington to bid farewell to her nephew, Dr. L. K. Crow, who will leave by the Horo-. rata for an extended visit to England for post-graduate experience. Miss Jean M'Dougall, Epsom, Auckland, is the guest of Mrs. A. Duncan, Wellington. Miss Phyllis Franklin has returned to Auckland after a visit to Mrs. S. 11. Rastall, Wellington. A golden wedding recently celebrated was that of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Cullen, of Waiapu. Three of the . bridesmaids wero present and about two hundred guests. Women and Laws. Mrs. C. W. Earle presided last,evening at a meeting of the Women's Aux-. iliary of the Political Reform League, held in the league room at the Dominion building. Mrs. Kelly was introduced, and welcomed as the new hon. secretary of tho branch. A ' number of new members wero announced, and others renewed their membership. An address was given by a member of the auxiliary on some aspects of the laws which made them press hardly oh women. It'was pointed out that the clause in the Family Allowance Act, which makes it necessary for the father to sign the application for assistance, prevented women, who had been deserted by their husbands, and were the ones to whom such help was specially desirable, from benefiting. What was undoubtedly intended by the Act. was to benefit the growing children of tho Dominion, and the making of such a provision largely neutralised this. More privacy iv the Courts ■ was a thing which most social workers were earnestly of opinion was desirable. While appreciating the fact that in a number of cases there was a use in publicity, it was thought that in cases of maintenance and affiliation proceedings the presence of idle listeners served no gobd purpose, and was calculated to destroy self-respect and do harm in a number of known directions. Better protection/was needed both for the delinquent and feeble-minded girls, who were often the victims of a, bad class of men.' Better wages for young women in industrial life, and better arrangements for girls entering the Public Service were also-mentioned and discussed. While having a sincere ; appreciation of the good, and often excellent remedial work done by the Government, the speaker said it was felt that the good old saying "Prevention is better than cure" was sound sense, and more preventive work was being asked for, which, in time, would undoubtedly save tho country a great deal of money. Lady Luke, Miss Jenkyns, and Others spoke, and the even* ing was an interesting one. Votes of thanks were passed, and Mrs. Earle concluded the evening by' announcing some of the activities of tho Junior Reform League, and mentioned that a "rally" of the league was to take place next month. International Press Exhibition. There will be an International Press Exhibition at Cologne between May and October, 1928 (states an exchange). This great Press exhibition is to have a special section, "Women and the Press," which will be a unique record of the evolution of woman's part in current Press literature, as well as an exhibition of the present extent of her participation, and at which outstanding women journalists of New Zealand will be represented. Annual Staff Dance. The annual staff dance of Sargood, Son and Ewen,Ltd., is expected to be a very successful function. Thp chaperons will.be Mesdames Ewen, Cramond, Lang, Robinson, and Mehaffey. The committee members are Misses Luke, Carter, "Stone, and Blackmore, and Messrs. CramOnd, Mehaffey, M'Arthur, Adam, Dempster, Newman, Smith, and' Shrimpton, with Mr. A. V. Clarke as secretary. Cheering Sentences. v Speaking from her own observation, at a meeting of the Brooklyn sub-branch of the Plunket Society, Dr. Paterson said that personal hygiene had definitely improved since 1913. Clothing was of a far better type—no longer did they find a child encased in eight layers of thick flannelette garments* Children were taller and heavier, and the unhealthy, under-sized, sniffling, weakeyed'type of child had practically disappeared. Good Organisation. In Shanghai thero has just been a great gathering of Chinese women to raise funds for tho extension of tho Y.W.C.A. in China. A leaflet issued states:—"Women need the elemental service of shelter. A restlessness possesses Chinese .women, and they arc leaving their homes, and often with very incomplete ideas of the things they will find in the larger cities to which they go." It is, therefore, v felt by a. number of the leading Chinese women that the association is a verysafe and kindly force for the protection of these women. The meeting held was of Chinese leaders from seven teams who gathered their workers round them. In each team there are eleven, workers, and each of these will gather together others, till a great force is obtained. America has been very generous to China in the way of sending "gift workers" to them, this meaning that all expenses incurred iv connection with the workers is borne by those who send them. The campaign will open with the distribution of cards, which authorise the bearer to make a call on.a potential subscriber, and other plans are maturing, making the prospect of success in^the gathering of a sufficient sum almost a certainty. Brooklyn Plunket Society. The annual meeting of the Brooklyn branch of the Plunket Society was held recently, when Mrs. W. Smith presided. The balance-sheet showed that' the satisfactory amount of £GG had beon raised. Mrs. W. Smith was olect--6d president for the ensuing year; Mesdames H. Temple White and Parton and Miss Crabtrec, vice-presidents; Mrs. Ralph, treasurer; and Mrs. R. W. Haddow, secretary. The following committee was elected: Mesdames Paterson, Clark, Henderson, Hatch, Dovoy, Gittings, Miller, Roberts, M'Gco, Semple,. Crocker, Harrower, Siegel, Warburton, Wright, Skelton, Ellis, and Mrs. (Dr.) Wright. Mrs. White amoved that a message of congratulation on his splendid work in Great Britain be sent to Sir Truby King, with tho wish that he may live long to continue his work/This was carried with acclamation. Confidence in and appreciation of tlio beneficial work conducted by the Now Zealand School Medical Service was greatly increased by the interesting account given by Dr. Ada Pater-..i, of the School radical Service. Votes of thanks were passed to the speaker, the retiring president, officers and committee, the trustees of the church, to whom tho branch is deeply indebted for the use of a room for the nurse, and all other helpers followed. The meeting concluded with a short and enjoyable musical programme, and supper. >

Lucky Little Girl. The dream of littlo Marjorie Lcidler, aged 12, who lives in one of the homes of the Westminster City Guardians, has come true (says an English exchange.) Marjorio has always wanted to be a singer, and recently took a leading part in an opera given by the choir at tho Guardians' School at Aslii'ord, Middlesex. The Westminster Guardians communicated with Mmo. Lily Payling to see if it would be possible for their charge to compete for the free vocal scholarship ahe awards every year. Marjorie went to an audition at Mmc. Payling's houso at Sydenliam. Mine. Payling was so impressed with the girl's voice that there and then she awarded her tho scholarship. "Marjorio startled everyone of us with her marvellous little voice," Mmc Payling told a Press representative.. It is as true as a bell. I was so impressed that I am taking charge of her altogether until her training is finished. In six or seven years' time.l hope she will have a marvellous voice." A Pleasant Visit. A happy afternoon was spent by a largo number of 'tho younger Girl Guides, Brown Owls, and Tawny Owls who are having a training week at "Otiniai" (Auckland), the Guides' home, recently presented to the movement by Mrs. W. R. Wilson.. Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson paid them a visit on Saturday, and there were many rejoicings on the occasion. The little girls gave a demonstration, and sangs songs of welcome. Afternoon tea was served, and then Lady Alice gave an interesting address, and expressed her pleasure at hearing that the Brown Owls had como from all parts of tho Dominion. As a present to the new home, Her Excellency gave a large framed photograph of herself; to be hung in the largo meeting-room. The Brownies circled round Her Excellency's car and sang her farewell, giving three ringing cheers as sho drovo off. ' ■ Residential Nursery Effort. A "joy night" dance has been arranged by the W.N.R. Circle at Island Bay to.take placa in the Masonic Hall on Thursday next in aid of the Residential Nursery. Novelty dances will bo featured, and attractive music' supplied by an excellent orchestra. A cordial invitation is issued to all interested in tho splendid work of this institution to show their practical sympathy by their attendance at the dance. • , Message from Miss Royden. The following gratifying letter has been received by tho convener of committees (on behalf of tho British Commonwealth League) for Miss- Maude ■Royden's tour through New Zealand from Miss Royden prior to her departure from.' Auckland: "It is a "matter of great regret to mo that pressure of time has prevented me up to this moment from writing to thank you for your sharo in tho work of organising my New Zealand tour. Miss Oollisson tolls me that you have had a large share in helping her to got into touch With people in every district, and 1 know from experience that this is one of the most important factors in organising on any plan. I must also thank you for the splendid work done in Wellington itself. Particularly I appreciate all the kindness shown at tho time of arrival, when I was, as I still am, much distressed about my secretary (who has had' to remain in Wellington owing to illness). Tho official side of the welcome was in itself very splendid, and I appreciate it because I know that your work was intended as an effort for tho women's .movement, but I was also extraordinarily grateful for the personal kindness,and caro shown to us iv difficult circumstances. Pleaso accept my very, warm thanks for tho kindness and consideration, which I can never forget, as well as for the splendid organisation of your section of the work.'' Farewell Words. It is delightful to feel that such thorough pleasure has been expressed by Miss Maude Royden' 'about her visit to New Zealand on the eve of her departure. To an Auckland interviewer she said, referring to. the visit:—"lt has more than exceeded my anticipations, and I have enjoyed it very thoroughly. Tho hospitality of the New Zealand people is a very wonderful thing." In regard to the women, Miss Hoyden is impressed - with their allround capacity i "They do so much, and combine so many things with such success," she remarked. "I do not know how they manage it all." The visitor could not understand, with such a choice of capable women, why the country had not placed some of them in Parliament. She had a special respect for their work because it had not been in any way spectacular, but just a quiet effort which had accomplished a great deal, especially in all kinds of welfare work, the doing of which fitted people for Parliamentary positions. In regard to the British franchise for women, Miss Royden was exceedingly pleased that tho Bill had such good prospects. . Asked as to any possible dangers, she said sho thought that there was danger in any great step, but it was no more dangerous to give the franchise to young women than it was to young men. At tho same time it was an amazing achievement for England, which was conservative to the core. "Tell the Now Zealand women," said Miss Royden, "tliat just ■because I admire them so tremendously I do want them to step out and take a moro direct share in tho public life of tho Dominion —to take public office more than they arc doing."