LUNCHEON CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23030, 6 May 1938, Page 4

LUNCHEON CLUB

WOMEN'S MEETING TALK ON CZECHOSLOVAKIA The hostesses at the meeting of the Auckland Women's Luncheon Club, held in the Milne and Choyco Reception Hall yesterday, were Mrs. E. F. Wilson and .Miss F. Brookes. The president, Mrs. .J. Gulliver, welcomed Iho members and many visitors. After luncheon had been served Miss Sybil Phillips entertained tho guests with two sours. Miss Q. Pooro was her accompanist. Tho speaker, Miss Anita Webster, described some of her experiences in Czechoslovakia "Tho situation in Central Europe is peculiar," she said. "Despite intermarriage, all the nationalities have kept, their own languages, traditions and standards of living. The Hungarian land-owners in Czechoslovakia are in an unhappy position, as they have nothing in common with their neighbours, but cannot sell their lands and live in Hungary as they nre not allowed to take any money out of the country." The Czechs, on the other hand, were enthusiastic and happy, making full use of tho rights and privileges that had been denied them for three centuries, continued Mis« Webster. They were an industrious race. In tho country the laud was cultivated right down to tho edge of the road, and all modern methods of farming were practised. Miss Webster said that many quaint customs were still observed in Czechoslovakia. Perhaps the most charming was the habit of rising from meals, h ending hands, and calling down a blessing on tho house. The Czechs still practised the courtly custom of handkissing.