WORK OF WOMEN IN PEACE MOVEMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1078, 16 September 1930, Page 4

WORK OF WOMEN IN PEACE MOVEMENT

PENWOMAN GIVES INTERESTING ’ I ACCOUNT OF TRAVELS ABROAD On Friday afternoon, at the League of New Zealand Penworr.en’s meeting, Mrs. Gordon Robertson, a member recently re- 1 turned from England and the Continent, gave an interesting account of her experiences. Instead of “travelling libraries,” as „ they have sometimes in the back r country, Mrs. Robertson met with ' “travelling subscriptions.” The taking out of a subscription in a library entitled one to library priveleges in all other places. Wireless is a tremendous force in f England, and the speaker mentioned some of the fare provided: “Talks on Books” by Lady Sackville West; lec- ? turettes on “Electric Lighting” by Sir Oliver Lodge, and “Points of View” by - 11. G. Wells, brilliant and stimulating • studies an personality. • Airs. Robertson was particularly & impressed by the peace movement, p headed by such women as Kathleen r Courtney, Jane Addams, Maude Roye den, E. Pethwick Lawrence. Margaret . Bondfield, Dr. Jacobs, and other s members of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. These ’. women, by writing, lecturing and i< organising, were doing all in their cl power to counteract the glamour. ►- pageantry and literature of war, by '• encouraging the glamour, pageantry and literature of peace. A poignant little poem by Ethel Sidgwick beginh ning “Killed on the 21st.” was read. “The international appreciation and : understanding of the art, literature and j • music of other nations,” said the speaker, “would go far toward creating a peace psychology.” Several interesting literary characters were touched upon. Young Lawrence Meynell, winner of the Harrop's prize with “Mockbeggar,” is writing brilliant detective stories. He works , | mainly in the subconscious and gets | his characters often from the village public house. His chief diversions are taking long tramps with Father Knox and collecting rare editions. Airs. Robertson drew an intimate picture of Sir Ernest Benn, of the famous • publishing house in Fleet Street, sit- j " ting in his vast, quiet office, with his coat off, absorbed in business. Sir ’ Ernest Benn is :l philahthropist and e the foremost exponent of individualism. The archaeological specimens of the e British museum, the music festivals of " England and the Continent, the wonderful salons in Paris, the music of a the churches, the architecture and s sculpture, the opera. Airs. Robertson vividly portrayed for her audience. All’s. Victor Macky vice-president, presided. s k