NOTES AND COMMENTS.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 65, 1 October 1900, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Our Illustration. Madame Hannah Korany is the lady who represented the Syrian women at the World's Fair, Chicago. She has devoted her life to the emancipation of her country women, and while often feeling despondent at results, she works on bravely. At the World’s Fair she gave several lectures and addresses, and aroused great interest among the Americans in the Syrian women. She had to bear almost all the expense connected with the Exhibition, as well as having most of the trouble. One who has seen her describes her as “quite a pretty woman of an Oriental type, with large, liquid dark eyes, which can soften with sympathy, brighten with enthusiasm, or flash with indignation by turns. She has a soft face, beautiful dark hair, and is altogether very charming.’’ She has acted as correspondent to several American newspapers, and has lectured in London in response to invitations from several. Women’s Societies.

Miss Powell. The “Echoes'* from the World s Convention, .uul Temperance Congress, published on another page, is the last contribution that will be receded from the pen of our delegate before she sails for New Zealand. She purposes leaving by the s.s. “ Runic ” (of the White Star Line) on Noveml>er 24th, and hopes to be in Dunedin about the middle of January. To say that she represented our N.Z. Union creditably is but faint praise, and doubtiess a very hearty welcome awaits her return to our shores.

Rest Cottage. At Miss Anna Gordon s request, we have pleasure in publishing the column entitled “ Rest Cottage.” Our hearts go out to our Chieftain’s companion and friend of so many years, and we can well understand how she looks upon everything

that has been used by her comrade as held in loving trust by her; not only to be cared for, but to be used for the work that both have done si) much to accomplish.

W’OMKN S XaTIONAI Cot’NCIL. A recent number ot the Woman's Jon* mil, Boston, acknowledges receipt of the printed minutes and proceedings of the last annual meeting of the N.Z. Women’s National Council. It expresses great sympathy with the progr ssive ideals set forth in the papers ie d, and remarks that the N.Z. women are striving for the same things that representative American women are anxious to obtain. It publishes Mrs Nevwright's paper on “ \\ omen’s I >i:>abili.ies " in full, eulogising the spirit of the paper.

Anotiii k Friendly Critic. The Australian Herald (a monthly paper, published in Melbourne by the Rev. Charles Strong, !).!>.), devotes some space in its September issue to a notice of the printed proceedings of the last annual meeting of the Council. After setting forth the objects of the Council, and giving a list of the subjects discussed and papers read, it says : sem to be very much alive. Their example, we hope, will stir up the more sluggish Victorians, who are too much inclined to hug their chair, or apathetically smile.” Under the heading of “ Barents’ column," an abstract of the paper on “ Parental responsibility read by Mrs Tasker, before the Council, appears. All this is encouraging, and would help us in New Zealand immenselv, if every woman who reads this patagraph would ask herself, in all earnestness, “ Am l as much alive as I ought to be ? ”

Kaiapoi Coffee Rooms.— W ith the proceeds from the sale of work recently htid bv the Union at Kaiapoi, the coffee rooms have been re-roofed and decorat'd afresh, anti it has been arranged that the re opening shall take place on 1 hursday, October at j p.m. The opening ceremony will be performed by Richard Evans, Esq. The undisjx)sed-of goods from the former sale will be offered to purchasers during the afternoon and evening, and refreshments will be provided. An attractive programme is arranged for the evening, and it is hoped that as many members of the neighbouiing

Unions as find it possible, will attend, l’he admission will be 6d.

Tub International Council of Women. Through the courtesy of Commissioner General Peck and f lie active interest of Mrs Potter Palmer, Mrs May Wright Sewall, President of the International Council, had the privilege of offering a room in the United States Pavilion at the Paris Exhibition to be used as headquarters by the International Council. An Executive meeting was held, at which Mrs Sewall presided, and representatives were present from various countries. The reports showed conclusively that the Council idea is spreading, the VC. of Italy making formal application for affiliation with the International. Greece, Russia, and Austria are also organising. Further information concerning this meeting will be published in a future issue.