WOMEN’S PRESS CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25430, 11 January 1944, Page 4

WOMEN’S PRESS CLUB

MRS CHURCHILL A GUEST When the Women's Press Club of London held its first luncheon recently, Mrs Churchill was a guest. It was a private meeting, at which 130 members representative of the national, provincial, periodical, and overseas press were present, says The Times. Mrs Churchill, who was introduced by Lady Rhondda, president of the club, said that she had met press women for the first time in her life in America, and she had liked it so much that she was glad to be meeting the presswomen of England. Replying to questions, Mrs Churchill said that in America they were completely preoccupied with the war and wanted particularly to know how Britain managed with rationing and clothing coupons. It had been a great surprise to find a woman, Miss Frances Perkins, occupying the same position in relation to labour as Mr Ernest Bevin held in Britain. Asked if she would consider holding similar informal meetings with the press at regular intervals, Mrs Churchill said she thought press conferences were a very good thing, and she 1 had sometimes wondered whether her husband should hold them.

The Women's Press Club of London was formed on April 1 last year as a result of a growing demand among women journalists for a common meeting ground. A search for suitable premises Is being made, and in the meantime over 250 members have been enrolled. The project has received support from many of the leading newspaper proprietors, who have made generous gifts towards the initial expenses of establishing the club.