TOPICS FOR WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 19

TOPICS FOR WOMEN

By M.H.C.

Lady Ruth Balfour made a very fine and comprehensive speech at a representative council meeting of the International Council of Women held recently, in London. She spoke of the valuable work done' at the big meeting held at Edinburgh, and said that the council now has 140 national organisations affiliated. Sectional committees have been appointed which have, entered into research in a number of directions affecting the good

of women and children in particular,

; and humanity generally. The council ' has sent by request : delegates to

twenty-eight different national meetings, both technical and social. These

delegates, naturally, have learned a great deal which has been most useful -to the British branches. In fact, it

was stated that contacts in an immensely wide circle have been made, all of which are both useful, and necessary- There is no doubt that the "Women's World Parliament," as the International Council has been called, does a really wonderful work in bringing before the women, not only of their own country, but of the world, news of events which are of importance to them, and also ideas' whereby they can help to improve matters in their own country, and, best of all, to establish a real understanding of the

The Scheme of Things

laws and difficulties of the women of other nations.

k Lady .Ruth alluded to successful efforts which had been made to raise the standard of films shown, particularly those which are put forth for children. She said there had been a "happy . 'co-operation between the Cinema Committee and the British Film Institute." There are few women who do not regret the rubbish to which children are sometimes treated at the cinemas, and who will not be sincerely glad to learn that this successful effort has been made in England. It is.* an encouragement to other countries to try to make the same kind of efforts and give the children a better idea of life as it is, and not as it appears in so many exciting and unnatural films. A "household service committee" was appointed, and did a great deal of useful work in finding out definite grievances on the part of employers and employed. Not much information is given about the work of this committee, unfortunately, as it would have been par? ticularly useful to New Zealand.

Yet another committee was that which specialised in moral welfare, and this had formed an expert subcommittee to act in liaison with Scotland Yard. The special subjects in this were rehabilitation and prevention

wonk. These matters again will receive a very sympathetic hearing from women in this country, so many of whom' have worked and cared for these two' matters, and who have had a measure of success which would have been greater had it been more supported by parental help. The "perennial demand for more women police" is also mentioned, although the English social workers are very fortunate in having as many of these women who possess real authority as they have already to assist them in their 'work. The Home Secretary has given recognition to the Birmingham and. Metropolitan Training School for Women Police. He has circulated all chief constables to that effect. The women's committee has been asked to' keep a register of suitable candidates for training. This is a particularly pleasing announcement, as it means that in the first instance the moral welfare committee will have the first selection of the women whom they consider as suitable for being trained.

This is a matter whictt women in this country have considered for years— the choice and selection of women who will be placed in the important positions of police.. Great care is taken rightly in the.selection-of the men for the Force. Women consider that equal care should be taken in the selection of women, but they have always felt that they should have a part in the selection of candidates. There are so many points which, women would consider that would be little likely to occur to a man or men in general. Questionnaires were sent out by the British committee as to the qualities necessary for policewomen, and it was stated that many useful hints were gathered from these. The British women show themselves specially anxious about the subject of women police, partly because, so far, they have been eminently successful in their worl?, whether in London \or in the larger towns, or at the seaside places.

Many other matters were mentioned by. Lady Ruth, among others a report from a departmental committee on inflammable toys. These are -made .in great quantities nowadays,. and,, not only in England, but in other countries, which sell them very cheaply. When it is realised how many tragedies have happened through the use of celluloid combs'in hair, waving, it "causes one furiously to think" what might happen with the .toys made of this or like materials. The combs have been given' up, and others' which look much the sajne. .but, which are rendered non-inflammable are commonly- used. There is -little doubt that with a small amount of trouble the toys could be made safer for the little ones who delight in them so much.

A great deal of information was obtained by one committee about all kinds of nursing services. Not only the general service, in public health

and child welfare, but about what is being done in less professional ways, and the possibility of organising these and making them of still more use than they are at present. These matters were also made the 'subject of questionnaires—it looks as if the internationals- are rather fond of that -way of gaining information, and it 'certainly appears good as the ideas: of so many women with quite different experiences can be ascertained and the best selected for use. It is rather interesting to find that the views of patients have been collected as well as those of nurses, and it would be most, interesting to see this report in full. While, as a general rule, patients are splendidly looked after, and the lives of many nurses are made difficult by selfishness on the part of .patients and their health often impaired, yet there is. another side, for cases have come forward far too often when there has been either carelessness on the part1 of a nurse or want of proper consideration. The international committee took a certain time to consider the European situation, as well as more domestic affairs. Lady Ruth, in concluding her address, said: "Last year your president ended her address with an appeal to the word 'courage.' I add to that the words:'faith 1 and 'charity.'" There are few women who will not agree that all these qualities are needed nowadays, and as the year progresses it wilJ doubtless be seen that* the sooner they are .taken, in earnest 'and acted up to, the better r» will be for this country, as well as for others.

Do not throw away your old toothbrush. It can be used for removing dirt from the corners of window-sills, picture-rails, and along the top of skirting-boards, or anywhere else where it is difficult to use a larger brush.

Place potatoes m cold salted water for about fifteen minutes before putting in the oven to bake, and you win find that they will bake in half the time. They will also become well flavoured with salt in this time.