TOUR ABROAD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 122, 22 April 1940, Page 8

TOUR ABROAD.

INTERESTS OF WOMEN. A talk on her tour with Women’s Institute representatives to tlie conference of the Associated Country Women of the World in Loudon, and experiences on the Continent, was given by Miss Truman, of the staff of the Turakina Maori Girls’ College, to the annual meeting of the Oroua Federation of Women’s Institutes, at Fcilding. Miss Truman dealt particularly with the Continental tour, starting with Holland, when tulips and hyacinths were in bloom. She described the dress and customs of the people and spoke of the hospitality that had been extended at every stopping place. In Germany the visitors had been taken to see three types of farms, small farms of five acres, mediumsized of 15 acres and large ones of 150 acres with every inch of ground made use of right to. the roads. Even in the smallest homes the women had electrical appliances that the women of New Zealand would give anything to possess. Miss Truman said' the travellers never at any place sensed preparations for war, although the nights were often disturbed by the sound of orders being given and marching feet. They left Germany feeling it was a beautiful country and that it bad not been harmed even one scrap by the last war. Switzerland welcomed the visitors with open arms. The Swiss were kindly, hospitable people, who could not do enough for the party. That was the spirit ; of the Swiss. The tourists had been sad to leave this very beautiful country. In striking contrast; France looked war-stricken, and although the scars were somewhat covered, the people looked as if they, too, had suffered. The speaker told of the placing of the wreath made by Shannon members of flowers from gardens of institute members on the Now Zealand war memorial on the Somme battlefield with impressive ceremony,' and spoke feelingly of the loving care given the graves by a little group of English women.

Although the conference in London had been an inspiring experience it was at the social functions the best contacts were made and views exchanged, Miss Truman said. She gave graphic descriptions of some of the fnore important social functions, notablv the reception by the Lord Mayor of'London at the Guildhall and the function at Lancaster House tendered by the Foreign Office. The New Zealanders had been greatly struck by the marvellous organisation of the big meetings they had attended, the great Women’s Institute conference in London being most impressive. It had been an unforgettable experience to hear some 10.000 women joining in the singing of “Jerusalem,” and also to attend the closing service at Canterbury Cathedral.

Mrs Drew expressed thanks to Miss Truman for the talk, and Mrs W. G. Short added her appreciation.