WORLD PROBLEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17270, 20 September 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

WORLD PROBLEMS.

Within a few hours after the United States Senate had refused to extend the franchise to women, a body of women, representative of the varied interest?, activities, and sympathies which engage the attention of American women to-day, met in the nation's capital to discuss matters similar to those being debated in Congress, says a writer in an exchange.

The range differed, in that there was no partisan exiguity, no binding legislation, no figuring on enormous expenditures of money, but the participants in the conference went far afield for the subjects related to humanity's good. The nation, like the individual, was stressed as a partner in the work of establishing order and peace and securing equal opportunities for all. It was not merely a vague vision, a formless hope. There was a keen appreciation of the difficulties confronting the world, and especially Americans, and the discussion, while holding on to the vision and the hope, concerned itself chiefly with practical details. There were radicals present, and homekeeping conservative women from settlements, universities, and industries, from all parts of the country. With perfect unanimity they were for President Wilson, because he was for the League of Nations and other formulas which they believed meant lasting peace. They had no patience with the loudly-proclaimed belief of a certain group of women that the President is insincere, and should be obstructed in and out of season.

After the Victory dinner, -which was the jubilant prelude to the serious consideration of the conference, a resolution was passed approving the League of Nations, supporting the President, and asking that women be given a definite part in the work of reorganisation. That was sent to Congress and cabled to Paris. Moreover, the women nromised to spread it through their respective communities and to work up a sentiment in its favour. That the work of this conference should not be merely spasmodic, the committee which had called it was made a continuing body, that the women might again be brought together when and where it was necessary to consider and take action on matters of _ importance to all the people. Intense interest was manifested in the investigation of the meat-packers, and many of the women attended the hearings before the House Committee after the conference had adjourned. The Bills that have been introduced in both Houses of Congress were presented at the conference, with the evidence collected by the Federal Trade Commission. One of the speakers said that a big packing firm was _ now introducing motion pictures showing the process of their business into the schools as a part of their advertising campaign. The women promised to use their influence in opposition to the monopoly which, they believe, has a irreat part in maintaining the high cost of foods and other commodities.