COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 119, 19 April 1934, Page 9

COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

CONFERENCE AT CHRISTCHURCH. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 18. The conference of the National Council of Women was opened at Christchurch to-day. There were 30 delegates from all parts of the Dominion, and Miss B. E. Carnachan, of Auckland, president, was in the chair. Miss Carnachan, in her presidential address, said that during recent years practically all trace of the old social systems and ideals and many old-estab-lished customs had been swept away. Everywhere there was a change, on all sides criticism and doubt. The nations, faced with unprecedented social, political and economic situations, were frantically trying all types of experiments. The position had been intensified and complicated by the widespread depression, which bad puzzled and tortured humanity. The situation called for courage and a desire to serve. Much change was needed, but some of the old traditions were worth saving. They must cling with courage to the basic ideals of honour, loyalty and duty. Constructive criticism and hard work were necessary to build afresh and solidly a society better' and happier than they had known in the past. The secretary’s report stated that, although owing to the depression some organisations had withdrawn, straining the finances of branches, there was little change in numbers. The chief accomplishment during tho year had been to secure the passage of the Marriage Amendment Bill, by which the marriage had been raised to 16. The treasurer’s report stated that the balance in the capital account was £144 14s; £ll3 14s 9d in the quinquennial account and £BB 14s 9d in the general account. Both reports were adopted. The report of the standing committee on the newspaper Dress mentioned the facilities available for training journalists at the University Colleges at Auckland and Christchurch, and spoke of the high praise given the New Zealand newspapers by such a notable visitor as Mr G. Bernard Shaw.