CONDITIONS IN INDIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 185, 6 July 1945, Page 7

CONDITIONS IN INDIA

In an informative talk given to a representative gathering of _ the women’s organisations of the city at the Central Club yesterday, Miss Jean Stevenson, a former national secretary of the New Zealand Y.W.C.A., who has returned to the Dominion after working with the Y.W.C.A. in India for six years, dealt with the reaction of European visitors to the people of India and drew a word-picture of the types of Indian women. One feature they had in common, she said, was their gentleness and obedience to their husbands, which was almost traditional. There were not many women’s movements, because the unit was the homo and it was difficult for them to consider any other kind of grouping. The speaker referred to the establishment of the Y.W.C.A. in India some 50 years ago, primarily lor the welfare of the Anglo-Indian women, and detailed the women’s organisations which had sprung up since. At the conclusion of her talk, Miss Stevenson answered several questions on presentday Indian problems, saying that there was a call for sympathy and understanding in this regard. Indian people were always responsive to 1 riendship whatever their political beliets. In her opinion, it was not so much the mistakes of the British Government which were responsible for the differences that had arisen, hut the personal slights, unfriendliness and superior attitude of European visitors to tlieii country. ~ , , . Mrs C. A. Small presided and vocal solos by Mrs Mulligan (sell -accompanied and Mrs M. F. Eaddy (accompanied by Mrs It. Inkpen) contributed to the afternoon’s pleasure. Mrs S. J. Northey moved a vote of thanks to the speaker and the performers.