A JUBILEE DINNER

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 8, 9 July 1935, Page 15

A JUBILEE DINNER

GREAT, LONDON MEETING

WOMEN'S STATUS IMPROVING

A particularly interesting dinner party took place at the First Avenue Hotel in London to celebrate the King's Jubilee. There was a large j assemblage of well-known people | there, about 380. being present, among these being the Australian and other delegates to the Istanbul Conference. Mrs. Pethick Lawrence, president of the Women's Freedom League, was in the chair, and amid great enthusiasm a telegram to their Majesties of congratulation on their Jubilee was sent from the assemblage. Later a very gracious acknowledgment was read from Buckingham Palace.' GREAT CHANGES. Mrs. Lawrence reminded those present of the great changes for women which had taken place ■ since the accession of King George VHo the Throne, and remarked specially on the conditions of the Civil Service in England where women are admitted to all sections and have even been given perment secretaryships. Much remained, though, she. said, to. be won in the economic sphere, and a great effort was heeded to firmly establish women's economic position.. After referring to heroic women pioneers one minute's silence was observed, all standing, among the great names mentioned being those of Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Emeline Pankhurst, Constance Lytton, and Emily Wilding Davidson. Mrs. Corbett Ashby, who received a great ovation when she rose to speak, said the congress at Istanbul was memorable because it had taken these meetings away from Western Europe and nearer to the East, and in Turkey they had learned the viewpoint of the women of the East, who had a brilliant command 'of language and a gracious manner. The Young Turk Movement of 1908 saw to it that in preparation for'the coming days education was necessary, and they had their boys and girls educated accordingly. They also realised that the liberty of women must be the foundation on which the modern State was built. Mrs. Ashby said that she felt that the whole drive of the country is directed whole-heartedly towards building a Turkish nation. The Attaturk had given freedom to women and to religion—that was, religion was no longer an affair of State. Much remained to be done in social service there, such as prison reform. There was also a great drive for peace, and at one meeting she had been impressed by the eager faces of 2000 young Turkish men and women at the Peace Hall of the University. Other important phases of the congress were two "Equal Rights" treaties to which support was given; protection against the waste and restriction of the wealth of the world in the economic sphere; and the "Equal Morals" session, which excited great interest among the Turkish women.' In conclusion, Mrs. Corbett-Ashby said she was sure that the congress would have a far-reachinf * effect on the Moslem world. Lady Astor, M.P., described in her usual vivid manner some of her early experiences in Parliament. She has been there over eleven years now, and had much of interest to tell. She urged women, whatever their age, to keep their courage and vision. The fight for women's 1\ ill emancipation was by no means won; women must contim c their efforts until the last barrier of inherited prejudice or inequality was .removed. Other notable speakers were Miss Nina Boyle, Mrs. Hamid Ali, Miss Pic-ton-Turberville, Dr. Octavia Lewin, and Miss Lilian Barker. THE YOUNGER GENERATION. A delight to the older women in the evening was to see and hear the younger generation in business or professions speak—those who are actually reapingUoday the results of the efforts of older women towards emancipation. It was felt that they were a credit to all those who fought for a full expression of women's contribution '. - the world's work. Miss Elizabeth Scott, whose design was accepted for the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon, and'who also designed the Marie Curie Hospital, was there. Miss Winifred Holtby, author and journalist, was another brilliant woman present, also her friend, Miss Vera Brittain. Others included Miss Caroline Haslett (member of the Engineering Association), Miss Eunice Murray, and Miss Betty Archdale (who, representing the sporting side of women's life, told about her cricket team's tour, mentioning that for the first time on record a women's cricket match would be played at Lord's). ~ .. . !

. Altogether the dinner and aftermeeting were of immense interest to' all women.