PIONEER WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 109, 10 May 1934, Page 15

PIONEER WOMEN

MEMORIAL SUGGESTED

An interesting suggestion is made in an exchange by a woman who considers that it is timo for tho women of today to think about somo sort of memorial to tlie pioneer women. These left comfortable and safe homes in England fifty or sixty (or more) years ago, taking a six-months' journey in a sailing ship and entering into dangers from hostile Natives after those of Ihe high seas had been, enduied. Then came the "doing without" dozens of things that had seemed necessities when in England, or' other' parts of the 'Old World. Noxt followed the time when children, we'io born with only unskilled assistance, when illnesses had to'" 'be coped with by the mother alone in the backblocks, when dangeis by fire and flood were encountered, and many other difficulties too numerous to mention. These women took a large part in the upbuilding of families and fortunes, yet there is practically no mention of them in tho histoiy of any country, except some casual one frpm a historian or writer who remembers them.

Tho writer suggests some small sum, such as one shilling, being ''.collected at the time when any city is celebrating, a centenary, and this being used for a sim^lo memorial, cither a tablet in some public building, or a charitable fund, to be named after the -pioneer women.

Wellington's centenary is now within measurable distance of time, and it would bo a fine thing if those who remember something of the early days of their parents were to gather together, and institute this small fund, and endeavour to see that these really wonderful women aro not forgotten in. the years : to come.