CUSTOMS IN CHINA

Evening Post, Issue 39, 14 August 1935, Page 15

CUSTOMS IN CHINA

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

SEATOUN'BRANCH MEETS

The ninth annual meeting of' the Seatoun branch of the League of Mothers was held^ recently in the Seatoun Kiosk', a large" number of members "being present. Mrs.- A. P. Smith presided.

The annual report was presented by the-.secretary,".and.the financial statement by the treasurer, both of which proved the year had been a most successful^ one: A credit balance of over 'S^-was'shown^ Mrs. Smith was unanimously reelected for a further term of office as president. It'1 was stated that Mrs. Smith's untiring efforts on behalf of the branch and the league generally were greatly appreciated, and inspired members to give her their .utmost cooperation and support in carrying out the work she had so" closely at" heart.

The following officers .were also elected for the ensuing year:—Vice-presi-dents, Dr. Gow, Mesdames Hogg, ChudIcy, and- Kellow; honorary secretary, Mrs. O'Leary;.honorary treasurer, Mrs. Oliver; magazine secretary, Mrs. Allan; committee, Mesdames Wixon, A. Forbes, Park, Heath,. Christie, Kehop, Oldfield, Fish, Stevens, Edmunds, Short. Stephen, Rands, Perry, and Fitness. Mrs. Cuddie was again elected as "official accompanist and'duly thanked for the splendid' Services she had hitherto rendered to the branch in this direction. " ~

Mrs. A. G. Saunders gave a most interesting and educative account of her experiences as a medical missionary in the city of Hueilichow, in the Province of Szechuan.' She described the journey from Hong Kong, round the south of China, to Haiphong in French-Indo China; inland for three days by the wonderful railroad built by Chinese labour under French supervision, and then the final eleven days' "trek" from Yun Nan-fu to Hueilichow. This latter part of the journey was accomplished partly by chair and horses and on foot. Mention was made of the many poppy gardens seen on the journey, beautiful to look at, but pitiful when one remembered the reason for the gardens— opium and all its attendant evils. Footbinding, which is still quite prevalent in inland China, was described, and a wooden cast of a bowed foot and a shoe to fit the cast were among the curios displayed. A glimpse into the obstetric work, and its many difficulties, was given; also something of the general dispensary work and operations were touched on.

Many of the members had individual chats with Mrs. Saunders during afternoon tea, as they were intensely interested in all she had to tell them. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker, and a very happy afternoon closed after the usual informal talk among members.