PAN-PACIFIC MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 13

PAN-PACIFIC MEETING

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE

DELEGATES' j REPORTS

A meeting of the New Zealand Committee of the Pan-Pacific Women's Association was held in the Pioneer Club to receive reports of delegates to the recent conference at Honolulu Mrs. T. E. Taylor, presided and there Were present Miss E. Andrews, secretary; Mrs. ' Jackson and Mrs; Barrer H^'f ™>}> Miss Amy Kane (Federatiort of Women's Clubs), Mrs. Peryman Mid Mrs. Brewer (W.C.T.y.); Mrs. H. Faterson and Miss Maddever (Women's Institutes), Dr.: Ada Paterson (Federation University Women), Miss Fan- (Y.W.C.A.), Miss' Lea • (Women leacners' Association)': Mrs. Meachen (Women's Auxiliary, ' Manuiacturers' Association), The delegates present were Miss Andrews (leader), Mrs. H; v. Bennett, Mrs.' Hammbn,. Miss Basten, Miss Melville, and Mrs Barrer. Apologies were, received from Miss Sullivan and also Miss Salm3h, who had been convener of the Social Service Research !: Committee '• In opening the meeting Mrs, Taylor said it was evident ■■ from reports recerved that the New Zealand delegation was equal to.the standard of any other country-, and had; been" ably led by Miss Andrews and, as far'as circumstances allowed, they' had made no mean contribution to the conference, all doing excellent work on committees and round-table discussions. There had been some criticism'that too much, had been ~,heard of the experts,"and not enough.of the ordinary woman's point of view, but all these conferences were an earnest attempt to reach some form of common meeting-ground for the women of. the Pacific. "We" should make these, gatherings truly representative and:real milestones in the pathway to future peace and mutual understanding," added the speaker. Miss Andrews, in her report,: said that the resolution from New Zealand' had led to the Idea of taking subjects for discussion at the next conference instead of projects. A list had already been sent to corporate members and the New Zealand vote recorded. Unfortunately the filial choice had not yet come to hand.! A special;committee had been .set .upJ'at Honolulu to make suggestions for the better carrying on of the conference. The New Zealand delegation had stood high in the view of different countries and this was probably because .'of their wide knowledge (due to the work done by research committees beforehand). Miss Andrews spoke of the new president, Mrs. Gauntlett, of' Japan, and said the locale of the next confef enc£ wbuld be either Canada or. Japan. 'Speaking on finance, she said that a budget had been drawn up and allocations made for each country, .and. New Zealand's contribution was 250 dollars, to be spread, over the two years between conferences. ■= '. '

It. had: also been decided that all papers prepared:, for the conference must be sent forward six months beforehand so that the'material could be collated and sent to each country for their information and discussion. The conference had passed four resolutions feeling that whatever truth was elicited at the meeting they should make known to the world.' ..,- THE FOUR RESOLUTIONS. The first dealt with. the right ot women to choose and indulge in gainful occupations; the second with the traffic in arms. Improvement in films formed the subject ~of the next, and the need to increase the number of peace-minded groups, in -every country. A quarterly report is to be issued by the P.P.W.A. following on the lines of what is done in New Zealand, and finally Miss Andrews spoke of the election of Mrs. Taylor as a vice-presi-dent of the association, which was an honour for New Zealand.

Mrs. Barrer gave some account of the health section. A good deal of time had been spent on the discussion of birth control from the point of view of the discouragement of the unfit. Members had visited a very wonderful clinic. She said, that too much time seemed to be . taken up; by experts speaking on one subject, not leaving enough for general i discussion. This was confirmed by other ■delegates, especially Miss Basten in: the industry section, where the. need for the bettering of physical, conditions in. some countries was brought out- She found New Zealand had little to' complain of in comparison. She/felt the. need for, more elasticity in the programme i« allow the ordinary woman to express her views. Contact .between - delegates of one's own country - and between those of neighbouring countries had seemed to her one of the most valuable points of. the conference. ■

Mrs.H. D. Bennett (who with Mrs. Hammond represented the Maori race, the first time represented) said they felt they showed how two races can live together harmoniously. They ■ had received wonderful hospitality, and felt it a great honour to be present at the conference. •

Miss Melville, who sat on the International Relations.Committee, said that while the chief theme issuing from the conference had been : the desire of women for peace, it must be peace through understanding,, and friendship through knowledge. This was not a conference of experts but • primarily of ordinary women, arid she felt it would be very valuable if the next conference could take the life of an ordinary woman and discuss and compare it from different aspects in each country. She felt all had something to learn according to their stage of development. She, also stressed the value of the discussion by all members instead of by a few:

. Following on the delegates' reports and comments, the question of the constitution came forward and It was decided after discussion that, in order to disseminate knowledge of, and interest in, the work of the association, meetings of the committee be open to associate members' and others interested. '■■■-. NATIONALITY OF MARRIED WOMEN. Dr. Paterson said she felt the 'organisation had made a great advance. The association was. now getting to the state where the opinion of its members will be of influence. The subject of the nationality of married women had been brought before members and the following resolution was passed;— "That this meeting of the New Zealand committee of the. P.P.W.A. expresses its gratification that the New Zealand House of Representatives has passed the Bill giving women the right to retain their British nationality on marriage with an alien and strongly urges that the Legislative Council pass the Bill, as it now stands, and by so doing help the British Parliament to bring about uniformity of legislation on the question of the nationality of married women." '

It was decided to hold the annual meeting in May when the subjects chosen for discussion at the next conference will be known, and leaders for the study of these can be appointed.

Before the meeting concluded Mrs. Taylor, on behalf of the committee, expressed good wishes to Miss Kane, who is leaving to attend an overseas conference, and thanks to the Pioneer Club for the use of their room for the meeting.