LIFE IN CHINA.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 10

LIFE IN CHINA.

Women’s Status Improved To-day. CHANGING CONDITIONS. The changing conditions anrl trends in Chinese life to-day formed the subject of an intensely interesting talk given yesterday afternoon by Miss Xessie Moncrieff, at an “At Home ” arranged by the president and the Board of Directors of the Y.W.C.A. Miss Moncrieff, who is a Y.W.C.A. secretary in China, is at present on furlough after four years’ work in Peiping, and a large number of women, representing several organisations and associations in Christchurch, availed themselves of the opportunity to hear of her work and experiences. The afternoon, which was delightfully informal, was held at the Choral Hall, the floral decorations being vividly carried out with huge bowls of broom, lupins, flowering currant and other tall flowers. Miss Moncrieff wore a floral crepe de chine frock under a navy three-quarter length coal with a navy hat. Mi's F*. M. Warren, president of the association, in introducing Miss Moncrieff, explained that the World Fellowship .Fund enabled them to support a secretary in China, so they felt an almost proprietary interest in Miss Moncrieff. who was a New Zealander. A Power Behind the Scenes. In describing the background out of which the Chinese woman of to-day has en>erged. Miss Moncrieff read some passages from an old Chinese book written some 800 years ago, instructing a girl in her various duties. Many paragraphs were devoted to *' serving husbands and parents,” “ learning to be courteous ” and ** rising early.” Miss Moncrieff stated that the legal status of women in China had always been low, but even as far back as 700 B.C. women had been a power behind the scenes, and there was one instance of a woman becoming a political adviser. and the old Chinese saying “disaster does not come from heaven, it comes from woman,” summed up concisely the way in which the Chinese woman was regarded hundreds of years ago. The mothers, however, had always played a large part in the lives of their children, and the mother of Confucius had a great deal to do with the forming of her son's mind and character. To her husband, however, a Chinese woman was always subjected, and her parents were the head of the house. Interesting sections on household management were also read by Miss Moncrieff. the young wife being informed that “great wealth comes through good fortune, but ordinary wealth through industry.” she was also adjured to entertain her husband's guests well, and to see that he was well fed an 1 warmly clad. Conditions had altered to-day. however. said Miss Moncrieff, and from the old life, the modern Chinese woman has emerged delightfully charming and mentally vivacious. She was learning t/> think and to speak for herself, and was doing it remarkably well. All that was possible was being done to raise her rank, and although China was governed largely by customs and traditions, the old standards were giving place to new. There had recently been passed, although not yet enforced, a new set of laws by which there would be equality of the sexes. Chinese Women in Business. An amazing number of Chinese women, continued Miss Moncrieff, were entering the business life to-dav with ease and poise. They were able, too, to combine business life with home duties. They had more leisure than women in New Zealand, because servants were easily and cheaply obtained, and there was always a nurse to look after the children. The Y.W.C.A. was making a definite contribution towards educating these women, and held “ Thousand Character ” classes. by which the most illiterate were taught the fundamentals of reading and writing. The Y.W.C.A. was the only national women's organisation in China, and the women had a great sense of belonging to a national movement and of working together for the good of their country. A great deal was being done, too, in group discussions, arranged to study the problem of child psychology, religious education and education for children. The Chinese, stated Miss Moncrieff. were a practical people, and were fighting for a. “new Chinn.” At the conclusion of Miss Moncrieff’!* talk, afternoon tea was served and songs were given by Mrs R. J. M'Daren. Mrs R. Abernethy was the accompanist.