Travel Talk

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 45, 24 February 1936, Page 10

Travel Talk

STATUS or WOMEN IN TURKEY.

Those members and others who at tended the half yearly Rally _o£ the Manawhenua Group of Women’s , Institutes held at Koputaroa on Friday, were fortunate in having the opportunity of hearing a most interesting address by Miss Amy Kane, of Wellington. Miss Kane, whose fame as a witty and versatile speaker is well known, was the only New Zealand delegate to the Conference of the International Alliance of Women for Suffrage of Equal Citizenship, recently held at Istanbul or perhaps as it is more familiarly known, Constantinople. A resume of her trip and a vivid word picture of Turkish life, especially the emancipation of the Turkish women proved a most absorbing topic. Calling at Columbo cn route, the speaker said the Women’s Institutes there were doing a tremendous amount of good in many ways. For instance, in reviving some of their arts and c.afts. Also the Infant Welfare work was making progressive strides. This was especially noticeable in Cairo where a system similar to our Plunket movement was doing excellent work, there being a clinic in charge of an Australian nurse. As yet, however, the milk problem both in Columbo and Cairo was a serious one, and an attempt was being made to establish a milk supply on the lines of that adopted by the Wellington City Council.

Miss Kano then went on to relate the crossing of the Suez Canal in a punt to connect with her train and made humourous mention that with a slight stretch of her imagination she was reminded of a journey mado in Shannon some years ago across the Manawatu River by the same mode of transit. On entering Palestine one was immediately struck by the splendid roads. This was particularly hilly country, but from Jerusalem to Jericho, through the Valley of the Jordon, at one pai't 2000 feet below sea level, wound beautiful bitumenised roads. The land appeared to be intensely cultivated and every particle of the crop to be utilized. Here modern and primitive methods were side by side. Hand ploughs of an ancient type were to be seen; women still worked in the fields and carried the grain to the barns; shepherds tended their flocks as of old; yet travelling around, one would come upon some of the latest types of machinery. Damascus was to be remembered by its delightful flowers and it was here the emblematic Rose of Sharon was to be seen in the spring. From there they travelled to Beyreut, gloriously situated in a bay backed by hills. Here they found a taxi strike in progress which seemed to add quite a modern touch to the atmosphere. A short time was also spent at the islands of Cypress and Rhodes, the latter has since been turned into a hospital base by the ItaliansThis island was originally fortified by the Crusaders and what was once the hospital of the Knights of St, John is now a museum. It is interesting to note that after the many changes in the world’s history it is being again made use of in its original capacity.

And so through the Dardenelles to Istanbul tho goal. Here women from England, Bulgaria, Persia, Palestine, Australia and many other countries gathered together for the conference. Among the questions discussed were “The Right of Women to Work,” and “The retaining of a wife’s nationality after marriage.” It was also undoubtedly proved that women were the better for any democratic form of Government. Apart from their native language, French, seems to be more widely spoken by the educated classes. Under the dictatorship of Mustapha Kemal, whose daughter had been sent to school in England, many barriers had been laid low for the freedom of the Turkish women. It is now illegal for them to wear the veil. The great majority are extremely well educated, said the speaker, especially those of middle age. Of the latter, this can be understood when one remembers that up to twelve years ago they lived in harems and so, being denied the f.eedom of their western sisters, perhaps had more time for the culture of the mind. Free education from the primary school to the University was provided, also a most up-to-date Agricultural College. There were fifteen women members of Parliament in the Turkish Government, a number of these having been teachers. The remains of the old walls were still to be seen around the city and everywhere was evidence of modernism blended with autiquity. Before returning to New Zealand Miss Kane attended a conference of the “Associated Country Women of the World,” 1... u in London after the Jubilee of his late Majesty King George V.

After her most interesting address the speaker was, on the motion of the President, accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation.