PAN-PACIFIC WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1936, Page 18

PAN-PACIFIC WOMEN

THE WORK AHEAD1

FACTS MUST BE STUDIED

The annual general meeting of the New Zealand committee of 'the PanPacific Women's Association 'was held recently. Mrs. T. JE. Taylor presided, and there were present ; Miss E. Andrews (secretary), Mrs. C. C. Jackson and Miss Amy Kane (executive members), and delegates from the following affiliated societies: —Women's Christian Temperance Union, Mrs. Peryman and Mrs. Breweir; Federation of Women's Clubs, Mies. Sutherland Ross and Miss Kane;» Y.W.C.A., Mrs. H. D. Bennett and Miss Fair; New Zealand Women Teachers' Association, Miss Sutherland; Women's Division Farmers' Union, Mrs. Barrer and Mrs. Jackson; Federation' of University Women, Miss. Sulli vah and Miss Griffin; New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes, Miss Kane. Miss C. Kirk and Mrs. Fordte, of the National Council of Women,. were visitors, and were warmly' welcomed by the president, also Miss Seaton, of the Institute of Pacific Relations, and Miss Griffin, of Fiji. : . . The .meeting opened wfith a resolution of regret at the death'of his late Majesty King George V and loyal sympathy with Queen Mary and King Edward VIII, the motion being carried in silence. ; A CHANGING WORLD. Mrs. Taylor spoke of the changing events all over the world. "International history has marched forward in an amazing manner and a new era in the story of the nations has come to birth, an era pregnant with possibilities for the inter-relationships of mankind, possibilities for • peace through the teamwork of the nations,] instead of aggression," she said. "We women of the Pacific sire deeply concerned in all this, especially in New Zealand, where we belong to the old British race upon whose shoulders now rests the major burden of responsibility for leadership in the present crisis." * ' Mrs. Taylor spoke of the hope for better things through the League of Nations in the Old World. In the Northern Pacific.the position looked less hopeful, and the Pan-Pacific Women's Association could wish that it had been possible for China and Japan to hand over their perplexing problems to. chosen arbitrators to make a settlement as fair as might be to both parties. The aim and purpose of the association presented a greater significance than we had thought possible; CAUSES OF CONFLICT. "It behoves us if we are to work for co-operation and concord to go deeply into the causes of conflict arid discord. We must try to get. to the roots of misunderstandings, grievances, and injustices, however remote these causes may be, otherwise we cannot plan with any certainty for the securing and retaining of peaceful relationships," she said. , Mrs. Marie Keesing, a New Zealand woman director of the International Relations section at the last PanPacific Conference, had emphasised the futility of merely talking peace and good will, especially to peoples who have a sense of oppression and injustice. The basic causes of unrest should be well understood, and as an illustration she declared . that the present military movement in Japan found its source in the national imriu gration and tariff policies of Englishspeaking countries. "It may not;be easy for all of us to study the historical and contemporary facts underlying these conditions, but we can make the effort, and most valuable material for this purpose is to hand in abundance," said Mrs. Taylor. ' , "Youth in the Pacific areas has made a stand for peace and freedom, and a new social order which will never tolerate the useless inhibitions and re- ■ strictions of the older. With all the material available through Pacific organisations, and the personal experience of inter-racial and international contracts gained at our Pan-Pacific women's conferences converging pathways towards peace can surely be discovered, so we plan to think deeply and to work persistently, giving of our best, that the programme of the next conference and future conferences may take us long steps on our way to our, ideal." SUBJECTS FOR STUDV. Miss Andrews, in' the report, stated that little work had been done during the past year, largely owing 'to the slow arrival of the final choice, of subjects for study for the next conference. Those selected were:' (1) Youth movements for peace; (2) traffic in arms; (3) developing public opinion; (4) a socialised health programme; (5) labour standards, and standards of living and population pressures; (6) adjustment of educational programme to changing social '' relationships. Less organising work had been done than formerly, but the coming year should see a more forward movement. Thanks were extended to Miss Sullivan for assistance in secretarial work. The balance-sheet showed that a donation had been made towards the expenses of the last conference. This would be necessary next year. It was decided to invite all associate members to attend the annual meetings, but not to vote, and also that all subscriptions should be payable by March 1 in each year. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. Three papers were read, "Youth Movements for Peace," by Mr. Noel Woods, M.A.; "Traffic in Arms," by Mrs. Fisher, M.Sc, and "Labour Standards and Population Pressures," by Dr. Fisher. Interesting discussions followed all three. Arising out of the first it was resolved to explore the possibilities of a school text book for the teaching of civics from the standpoint of international peace. Dr. Ada Paterson and Miss Lambie (director of nursing) attended and I spoke on health services, and after discussion they undertook to deal with the question of a■' socialised health scheme as soon as the title was defined by the international project director. Mrs. H. D. Bennett spoke of the work being done with the grant from the Carnegie Trust on behalf of the Maoris, with regard to health and home science services. A nurse had taken the course in Dunedin with, the special object of work among the Maoris. Miss Griffin (Fiji) said the committee there would be glad to co-operate in collecting data with regard. to health services! . - ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of- officers resulted as follows:—Chairman of New Zealand committee, Mrs. T. E. • Taylor; vicechairman, Mrs. Jackson; secretarytreasurer, Miss Andrews; programme director, Miss Sullivan; publicity director, Miss A. Kane; members of executive. Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. H.-Pater-son. The meeting closed with votes of thanks to the writers of papers and .to the Pioneer Club for the use of the room.