ABYSSINIA’S EMPRESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 11

ABYSSINIA’S EMPRESS

INTEREST IN SUBJECTS’ WELFARE In one sense Her Majesty Ouizero Menen leads a very secluded life; she is literally rarely seen by her subjects, as when she goes out she is closely veiled and surrounded by a retinue of attendants. For all that, however, she keeps closely in touch with all progressive movements which have as their object the improvement of her country. Especially in regard to education and health services is she keenly concerned to put the full weight of her influence behind the men 1 and women working for the betterment of her subjects. Some years ago a small hospital was built in the grounds of the palace; this is supported entirely by the Emperor and Empress, and it is said that its inception was her idea, following on her first trip abroad—to Palestine, which she has visited twice. Her first visit to the Holy Land, about thirteen years ago, was rather In the nature of a sacred pilgrimage. A devout Christian, one of her earliest longings was to visit the Holy Land, and in the same year that her husband visited Aden for the first time she achieved her wish.

Near the Palace hospital is a small church, built at her desire, open always to the public as a place of rest and meditation, and her interest is a perpetual inspiration to the teachers in the church schools throughout the country.

One of the greatest difficulties with which educators are faced in Abyssinia is the fact that a great part of the population of the ’ country—variously estimated at between ten and fifteen millions—is nomadic, living in inaccessible mountain districts, and as yet schools are mainly confined to the towns, but the Empress has expressed a wish that wherever there is a church there shall a school be established.

And what of slavery? Undoubtedly its widespread survival in Abyssinia is a blot on that country’s good name, but

it is not generally recognised that traffic in slaves within the country has been prohibited by law, and if this law is violated the offenders meet the severest penalties. That is to say, the slaves are hostages of war( or their descendants), it being an immemorial practice to turn captives into slaves. The Emperor and Empress are united in their determination to stamp out this abuse, but, considering the present state of the country, the difficulties seem insuperable.

NEW BELTS The belt craze Is charming, but fraught with an element of danger. The width of a belt should be very carefully chosen. The young and slim are wise in taking every advantage of this attractive revival from the ’nineties. Older women will stress colour contrasts by means of buttons and waist buckles rather than by belts which “cut the figure in half” too suddenly. The charm of the new spring suits, however, lies partly in these brightly coloured leather and suede belts to wear with lighter-toned shirts.