“DANGEROUS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 561, 14 January 1929, Page 9

“DANGEROUS”

Miss Roy den Recalls Christchurch Crowd WOMAN PREACHER (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian <9nd N.Z. Press Association) LONDON, Sunday. “Australians were a good deal scandalised at the idea of my preaching in a cathedral, as at Adelaide,” said Miss Maude Royden, the well-known feminist, returning home from her world tour. She added that the same thing caused such a sensation in Christchurch that when she preached there the crowd was positively dangerous. Nothing was lacking in her reception

at Adelaide once the ice was broken. The largest crowd she had was at Christchurch. She described Australia as a “rough-and-ready” country, even in the cities, but the Australians were wonderfully hospitable. Australia was a little under the impression that England was sending her “duds” or “throw-outs,” who had lived on the dole. She wished the word “dole” could be abolished. It embittered people, besides giving a wrong impression. Miss Royden was quite prepared for questions regarding her cigarettesmoking. She confessed that there was criticism in Australia. “In fact,” she said, “I could not conceive that a few cigarettes could create such a terrific row.’’ She had refused to be bullied in America or Australia, and had smoked all the time ishe was there, she added. Miss Royden, in an interview with the “Observer,” said There was a live interest in Australia in international affairs. She found the Australians tremendously keen on the work of the League of Nations. Miss Royden urged speakers who were going to Australia to choose a subject of that kind. She praised the baby clinics and the reduction in infant mortality. She was welcomed home at Victoria station by scores of admirers, who gave her bouquets.