INTERNATIONAL Y.W.C.A. CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18548, 23 August 1928, Page 13

INTERNATIONAL Y.W.C.A. CONFERENCE.

The Young Women’s Christian Association, which is one of the largest international women’s organisations in the world, has just held its world’s conference, when thirty-three countries sent representatives, and three hundred and fifty women altogether were present. The conference was held in Budapest, the assembly hall being right on the banks of the Danube. The international character of the gathering was shown in various ways, such as the hubbub of many tongues when delegates w'ere liberated from a conference session, the hymns and prayers being sung and said by each in her own language; also by the representative chairwomen for the various sessions, as, for instance, Dr Sweet (Melbourne, Australia) one day, Mrs Uemura (Japan) the next, and Princess Sulkowska (Hungary) on the third. Miss Ethel Law represented New Zealand.

Here and there national dress was conspicuous, the Indian delegates forming a very attractive group. English, French and German were the official languages used, but smiles and gesticulations were general interpreters of the spirit of good-will and friendship. The Hungarian Y.W.C.A.’s function of a welcome was held on St Margaret's Island, a picturesque little spot in the middle of the Danube. Refreshments were served in an open-air cafe, and, the delightful sunshine and picturesque setting did much to increase the general enjoyment of the party. The Government placed a steamer at the disposal of the conference, and the delegated were taken for a trip up the Danube lo the historic old ruins ol Visigrad. where in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the Hungarian kings had their feudal stronghold.