PAN-PACIFIC CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1928, Page 11

PAN-PACIFIC CONFERENCE

ADDRESS BY MISS COLE. “It was the first time that an organised and carefully studied effort had been made to. bring together leading women of the countries about the Pacific, so that they might discuss problems that were common to all countries, and especially to give those who were assembled and the people that they represented the benefit of various new points of view,” said Miss Cole in an address on the recent Pan-Pacific conference at Honolulu, in the Y.W.C.A. club rooms at New Plymouth last night.

It was stated that the aim of the conference was to bring all nations and peoples about the Pacific Ocean into closer commercial contact and relationship and to aid and assist those in all Pacific communities to better understand each other, and, through them, spread abroad about the Pacific the friendly spirit of inter-racial co-operation. “Honolulu is indeed the paradise of the Pacific,” said Miss Cole, “and is an ideal place for a Pan-Pacific conference.” Mention was made of the faet that the Hon. Mark Cohen was really the instigator of a women’s conference.

New Zealand had sent 25 delegates, Australia 19, America 40, Japan 25, China 5, Philippines 3, Samoa 2, and Fiji 1. A remarkable fact was that 21 of the Japanese delegates could speak perfect English, while the other four could' understand the language. The American women were all very keen and particularly good orators. "The most outstanding figure of the conference was a small Chinese woman, Dr. Ting,” said Miss Cole. She was a woman of wonderful intellect, who kept her audience’s attention as no other speakers could.” The Japanese delegation were all very keen on women’s suffrage, she continued, and never lost an opportunity of questioning the New Zealand delegates about the system operating in this country. The delegates from China were wonderful women and- were sympathetic to the white Australia policy. It was remarkable that all the delegates were in favour of prohibition, and at the request of the Australian delegation several American women lectured on prohibition. Governor Wallace Farrington also gave an address on the results of prohibition in Hawaii. It was thought that the best- thing that could come of the conference would be the additional happiness that might be brought into the homes of the less fortunate, as the new ideas proved practical in one part of the world would be made available to all.

“When we find conditions steadily improving in the average homes of average people,” the speaker concluded, “we may know that the affairs of government within the nations and among nations are quite safe from serious disturbances.”

Mrs. P. C. Davie, who presided over a large attendance, thanked Miss Cole for her address.

Mr. W. H. Skinner, on behalf of the visitors, also thanked Miss Cole, and mentioned the hospitality of Hawaiian people. Prior to the address Miss J. Cocker sang “By the Waters of Minnetonka.” and Miss Beaurepaire gave a humorous recitation.

At the conclusion of the address a delightful supper was provided.