Personalities at Women’s Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 65, 18 March 1938, Page 11

Personalities at Women’s Conference

Members of the Auckland branch of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women heard Miss Ellen Melville describe sonic ef the personalities with whom she had come in contact at the women’ s conference held during the Australian sesqui-centenary celebrations. They also heard a brief address by Mrs Alfred Kidd, a member of the council, who returned recently from an overseas visit, while the report of Mrs H. Cobvill, convenor of the International Council of Women standing committee, on arts, crafts and letters was read.

Miss Melville said that every country in the world was invited to send wonuli delegates to the conference, the theme of which was “This Changing World and Women’s Part In It.” The business of the conference was interspersed with many social functions which were as brilliant as they were enjoyable. “It is often said that women only dress to please men or annoy their friends,” said Miss Melville. “At some of the social functions in Sydney at which only women were present, beautiful gowns, jewels and orders were worn, which seems to disprove the adage that clever women cannot look attractive.”

Contacts she had made with members of the English National Council of Women were described by Mrs Kidd, who also told of a dinner she attended to celebrate the 80th birthday of Lady Aberdeen, until recently president of the International Council of Women. She also attended a one-day conference of the council in London at which many subjects of general public interest were discussed.

Arts, crafts and letters, tho subject of the report by Mrs ColwilJ, was dealt with particularly in relation to present and proposed educational reforms by which children were enabled to develop at an early age any artistic or cultural talent they might possess. The encouragement of Maori arts in the schools was also stressed in the report.