MRS ALFRED WATT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 263, 5 October 1936, Page 11

MRS ALFRED WATT.

ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND.

CONFERENCE OF RURAL WOMEN. Heartfelt appreciation at the enterprise of the New Zealand Women’s Institutes in extending her an invitation to visit their country was expressed by Mrs Alfred Watt, 0.8. E., who arrived in Auckland by the Mariposa last week. “Compared with other largo organisations, the New Zealand Institutes are considered a young and somewhat small body,” said Mrs Watt, “and they have shown considerable vision and courage in bringing me from one end of the world to another.” It was a sign of competence, Mrs Watt continued, and showed a keen desire to learn. Incompetent people did not want to learn anything, and the New Zealand gesture showed an extremely good foundation in the movement. While in America Mrs Watt attended a conference held by farm women, when 7000 were present. There were delegates from all over the world and the conference was the biggest ever held. A spectacular ceremony was performed when the delegates crossed from America into Canada. They passed over the Peace Bridge and for the first time in ten years (when it was opened by His Majesty the King) all traffic was stopped to allow the women to cross. As they left America the “Star Spangled Banner” was played, and as they stepped into Canada the tune of the “Maple Leaf” filled the air. On top of the farewell blessing from America there was a ready welcome from Canadians who waited on the other side, and as one flag w-as lowered the other was raised. The w'hole thing was a remarkable experience, said Mrs Watt, who added that a further tribute to New Zealand was paid by the selection of a New Zealander (Miss Large) to walk across and symbolise all the countries of the world.