VICTORIA LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22543, 7 October 1936, Page 5

VICTORIA LEAGUE

AFTERNOON RECEPTION WELCOME TO MRS. WATT A largely-attended reception in honour of Mrs. Alfred Watt,. AI.A., 0.8. E., president of the Associated Countrywomen of the World, was held by the president and members of the Victoria League yesterday afternoon. The guest of honour, who was accompanied by Airs. W. Deans, Dominion president of the Women's Institutes, Mrs. Stanley Phillips, president of the Auckland Federation of Women's Institutes, and Miss 13. Smart, of Canada, was received by Miss Mowbray, president of the league, Mrs. J. B. Alacfarlane, Mrs. L. S. Rickerby, Mrs. C. R. Kecble, and Miss Slater, members of the executive. In welcoming the guests, Miss Mowbray spoke ot the great pleasure the members of the league felt in entertaining overseas visitors from the component parts of the Empire. She presented Mrs. Watt with a bouquet of spring llowers. A welcomo in Maori was sung by Mrs. Harold King, who was accompanied by Mrs. W. H. McKinney. In addressing the gathering on the work of the associated countrywomen of the world Airs. Watt stressed the position of the countrywomen in the Empire and the part they had played in shouldering not only the burdens of farm life, but also the burdens of the national community life in every country. People were accustomed to think,' Mrs. Watt said, that the British Empire was won by the early pioneering men, but it was always the women who made the homes in the wilderness and outlying portions of the Empire. These women braved considerable hardships, very often leaving comfortable homes and the safety of the English countryside, to face the terrors of a new land. The repute of any country, Airs. Watt continued, depended on its home life and these wonderful pioneering women who formed these homes, were the real- foundation of the Empire. There gradually came a time when they organised themselves into the first women's institutes and kindred societies, working together for the good of the British Empire. In conclusion, Airs. Watt said that those who had the great privilege of belonging to the British Empire must realise that never was there so great a need to guard the Empire as at the present time. Following the address, afternoon tea was served and the members were able to meet and talk to Airs. Watt. . The hostesses comprised:—Airs. Hammond Hyde, Airs. Hare, Airs. Thomson, Airs. Garrett, Airs. AlcGlashan, Airs. E. Hay, Aliss I). Butler, Airs. D. Ale Coll, Aliss P. Renner, Aliss Al. AlcCulloch. Aliss E. Hutchinson.