WOMEN WRITERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 5

WOMEN WRITERS

DOMINION'S ACHIEVEMENT WORK UNDER REVIEW SUCCESS IN VARIED SPHERES A largo number of members and quests attended the fortnightly dinner of tho Business Women's Club Inst evening. The president, Miss Irene Tanner, introduced the speaker, Mr. J. W. Shaw, who spoke 011 "Women Writers of New Zealand." .Mr. Shaw's opening remarks were devoted to character sketches of English women novelists of another and the effect their narrow social environment and the traditions of their homeland had on their work. "In comparison," lie said. "New Zealand women had the quieter background of the even tenor of life in a newer country and healthful interest in its history." New Zealand writers mentioned by Mr. Shaw were: —Katherine Mansfield, who was considered one of the greatest novelists of our time; Jessie Mackay, a gracious Highland lady, closely identified with the South Island; Mary Col-borne-Veel, who. in her own way, was a poetess of delicate fancy; B. K. Baugban, one of the most vigorous of the country's writers; Eileen Duggan, whose distinctive work was frequently touched with deep, religious spirit; Evelyn Hav.»s, who wrote so charmingly of her garden; Nelle Scanlan, whose clever character delineations of national life had made her widely known: Jane Mander, Rosemarj- Bees, Ngaio Marsh and others. A feature of Mr. Shaw's address was his reading of poems from the works of the Dominion's women writers. He was given a very hearty vote of thanks.