HONOURS LIST CONTAINS MANY NOTABLE WOMEN

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 164, 13 July 1931, Page 10

HONOURS LIST CONTAINS MANY NOTABLE WOMEN

(Special to the “Star.”) LONDON, June 3. The Birthday Honours list issued today is notable for the large number of women it contains. All the world will approve that bestowed on Miss Sybil Thorndike, who has so long upheld the highest traditions of the stage. It is noteworthy, too, that the only other Dameship conferred is given to Hiss Sarah Siddons Mair, LL.D., who, as her name indicates, is a descendant, a grand-daughter, of that other famous actress. Miss Mair. however, receives the distinction for her services to women’s education in Edinburgh. In the Civil Division of the 0.8. E., Miss Franklin, a permanent Civil Servant, who was for a number of years secretary to the 5.0.5.8. W. is honoured. She has made many friends in the dominions during her service in that office. Miss Clarkson, Lord Mayor of Norwich, receives the C.B.E. For the rest the 0.8. E. and M.B.E. has been given to about fifteen other women for services in education, nursing and work in Government departments, where, like men Civil Servants the completion of a number of years of good service is in general awarded recognition in this way. What, perhaps, marks this Honours List out as produced under the aegis of a Labour Government is the 0.8. E. given to Miss Julia Varley, who has been known long as a worker for Socialism. Her reward is bestowed accordtog to the official notification as “ a Member of the Work People’s Panel of the Birmingham Court of Referees, and a member of the Birmingham Unemployment Committee; and for public

services.” There is probably no one who understands the problems of unemployment among women from personal experience as she. For Julia Varley has investigated conditions for women in tramp wards and common lodgjpg houses. She served two terms of imprisonment in suffrage days; and, what is of interest to the dominions, visited. Canada to get first-hand knowledge of the conditions under which settlers’ wives lived.