WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 219, 12 August 1930, Page 7

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

PAN-PACIFIC MEETING. A NEW INFLUENCE ABROAD. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) Received August 12, 10.5 a.m. HONOLULU, Aug. 11. The Governor of Hawaii, Mr Lawrence M. Judd, extended greetings to the delegates at the official opening of the Pan-Pacific Women’s Conference. Mr Judd said that the world would be a better place to live in to-day by virtue of the fact that women were taking part in State, national and international affairs. There would bo more understanding between individuals and nations.

Mrs Swanzy, chairwoman of the executive, presided. Dame Rachel Crowdy read a message from Sir Eric Drummond (Secre-tary-General of the League of Nations). Sir Eric said that he was glad to bo able to send her (Daine Rachel is chief of the Social Questions and Opium Traffic Section of the League of Nations) to take part. The success of the League of Nations depended on the growth of a favourable public opinion. The league would follow the work of the conference with great appreciation. Dame Rachel Crowdy said that she welcomed the opportunity of meeting so many distinguished women. She had come not only to give information of the League’s social activities, but also to learn from women of so great and varied experience. The Director of the Pan-Pacific Union, which is financing the conference, extended a welcome to the president. Ho said that understanding could be purchased only by patience. Greetings were sent by the President of the United States, the Director of the International Labour Bureau, and also by the leaders of the delegations from their respective countries. Dr Sweet (Australia) said that all sections were keenly interested. Mrs A. H. Reeve, of the United States, chairman of the conference, said that they must be prepared to meet the challenge which was certain to be thrown down. Continuity of work was essential. What was needed was not product, but process—women making daily application and experimentation in the theories emerging from the conference. The question was how would these work with the individual. The fundamental soundness of these views must be tested. The curse of the age was superficiality. Dean Boldert (Canada) said that the ties binding to the Mother Country were never stronger, but the irresistible force of commerce compelled us to look in other directions also. Jhe greatest change of the opening ycai of the century was from individual to social consciousness. Now there was development in the direction of international consciousness. . Miss Jean Begg spoke on behalf ot New Zealand. The Governor and Mrs Judd held an informal reception, at which Dame Crowdy and Mrs Reeve were special guests. A garden party also was held at Mrs Swanzy’s home, when Dame Crowdy again was the guest of honour and met all the delegates.

Dame Rachel Crowdy was principal Commandant of V.A.D.’s in I ranee and Belgium in 1914-19, and was mentioned in dispatches.