LONDON LYCEUM CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 3

LONDON LYCEUM CLUB.

MRS. W. H. PARKES A GUEST. MEETING WOMEN M.P.'S. [FROM 01'R OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, March 15. The Lyceum Club a few days ago entertained the women Members of Parliament at their Piccadilly headquarter?. One of (he guests invited to meet them was Mrs. W. ]f. Parkcs (Auckland). The occasion was, naturally, one of special interest to all who received an invitation. Among those who spoke were the Duchess of Atholl, M.P., Lady Astor, M.P., and Miss Horsbrugh, M.P. for Dundee, one of the women who entered Westminster as the result of the last election. Miss Megan Lloyd George was an absentee on account of illness.

The Duchess of Atholl made a wonderful speech in support of British goods, with especial reference to the producers alike in England, in the Dominions and in the colonies. She is an extremely thoughtful speaker and one of culture, and she. always knows her subject thoroughly. Lady Astor, too, is always delightful to listen to, but her style of oratory is totally different from that of the Duchess of Atholl; sho is sparkling and spontaneous. Miss Horsbrugh spoke interestingly and well and sho is one who will get in touch with the people and make good. Other well-known women who were guests at the reception and who spoke included: —Miss Nancy Price, to whom the public are greatly indebted for her theatrical enterprises on their behalf; Mrs. Cecil Chesterton and the youthful author of the very delightful play "Autumn Crocus," which had such a good run in the West End, and which is now on tour. Not overwhelmed with the success of her first play, the young author, who has chosen the pen-name of "Miss Anthony," is still at her daily occupation. Mrs. Cecil Chesterton gave a very interesting outline of the work which is being done in the Cecil Homes in London for the solitary, homeless women of the metropolis. No question is asked of anyone, nor even are names known, bor Is each inmate is provided with bed, supper, breakfast, bath and facilities for laundrying her clothes. If penniless, the women are given all there facilities without even a copper being asked for. A wonderful work, indeed, as Mrs. Parkes remarked. The New Zealand president of the Lyceum Club had the opportunity of talking to all these prominent women and found that, without exception, each one bad a high regard for our Dominion —the country which seems to be the one of all others that everybody has a desire to visit.

With headquarters still in Worcester, Mrs. Parkes has lately been making more trips to cathedral cities, including Ely, Peterborough and Norwich. The two first-named were well known to her, but on revisiting she was able to appreciate them more than ever before. Ely is very grand and impressive and stands on an eminence high over the fen country, while tho Deanery Garden is really charming even at t.his time of year. Norwich, one of the three greatest cities of medieval England, built on a scries of little hills, is still suggestive of the colour and pageantry of the old days. Norwich Cathedral, with its graceful spire, is one of the gems. It was erected soon after the War of the Roses. One of its outstanding features is the set of Misereres, 62 in number, in the choir, and perhaps the best sot in England. From her motorcar trips Mrs. Parkes finds an immensity of historic interest and delight.