UNIVERSITY WOMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20421, 25 November 1929, Page 17

UNIVERSITY WOMEN.

A PIONEER GRADUATE.

Members of tho Federation of University Women wero entertained on Saturday evening by a most interesting talk from Miss Lilian Edger, M.A. Miss Edger was about the fourth woman in-the Empiro to take her degree. She studied at tho Auckland Boys' Grammar School under tho well-remembered and wellloved headmaster, Mr. McCrae. Tho school, however, offered no facilities for studying science, as was her intention, and she went to Canterbury Collego for tho rest of tho course. Lecture's were held_ in the early morning and in the evening after four o'clock.

Miss Edger spoke of the true purpose of education. Though long thought of as instruction its real purpose was to train. Power of tackling subjects was developed, of studying in after life. In the training of children two things, she said, must be stressed. One, that help should be given to the child to become such that no should livo his own life; his individuality and self must express itself fully in his life. Then not only should bo learn to live his own life, but ho must harmonise with tho lives of all around him. Self-effacement goes hand in hand with self-development, but there was nothing weak in this development. Ho was putting his individuality into such harmony that ho was ablo to feel_ the particular share he was contributing to the whole. Each contribution was naturally different. This was the basis of the principle of co-operation and tho recognition of the wholo as against that of individualism.

Individualism in regard to countries was spoken of. What else, she asked, is patriotism but the manifestation of the individualistic side of life ? Each nation is as it were the member of a family—the family of humanity. Miss Edger then gave as her examples England and India. She spoke of the former greatness and prosperity of India, and held out a hope for the future. Britain's contribution was executive, India's metaphysical and spiritual. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker, who replied to several questions.

Mrs. Mulgan, the president, made mention of tho two candidates for a Federation International research scholarship. They were Miss Cranwell and Miss Moore, both exceptional botanists. She spoke also of the proposal to form a group or groups of members of the League of Nations Union.

Among those present were:—"Mrs. Judson, Miss D. Judson, Mrs. Northcroft, Dr. H. Northcroft, Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. R. Entrican, Miss Clouston, Dr. BuckleyTurkington, Miss Gates, Miss Johnston, Dr. Warnock, Mrs. H. B. Thompson, Dr. Gladys Rowley, Mrs. Marshall, Miss Pound, Miss Cranwqll, Miss Moore, Miss Astlev, Miss Phillips, Mrs. N. Thomas, Miss Currie, Mrs. Gaukrodger, Dr. G. de Courcy, Miss Campbell. Miss Sheat, Miss Macdonald, Miss F. Taylor, Miss E. Taylor, Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Morton, Miss Stewart. Mrs. Bevage, Miss Abercrombie, Mrs. Mawson, Miss Begg.