WORLD CONVENTION

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 7, 1 August 1947, Page 3

WORLD CONVENTION

News From Our Delegates We are delighted to receive the following letter, with one for the Y.P. Supplement from Mrs. Kasper, from our delegate, Mrs. Mackie. 2308 Ashmead Place, Washington. 4th July, 1947. Dear Mrs. Christian, — We have been in Washington nearly one month, and will be leaving on the eleventh for Chicago, Evanston, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, etc. We are being treated royally here. New Zealanders are truly "on the map" in America. 1 will give you a brief outline of our doings. We have visited White House, and 1 was greatly impressed with its simpi city. “Period” furniture, certainly—nothing pretentious, though. The crystal chandeliers arc exquisite. This week the W.C.T.U. women have been so good to us. Miss Smart took us to a sitting of the House, and we heard Father Walsh and Dr. Poling on “Military Training.” It was interesting to me, naturally. We aiso listened to thfe Senate in session. W’e met some of the Senators in their offices. Senator Capper is a verv kindly old gentleman, and is with us in Temperance work. Miss Smart is doing really outstanding work as the Legislative Director for the W.C.T.U. She is a qualified lawyer. Mrs. Frommet, a member of the Union, and second Vice-President of the district, invited other W.C.T.U. women to a very beautiful luncheon at her home, and one of the guests drove as to Mount Vernon. This will always be a green spot in my memory as long as I live. It is absolutely beautiful—the avenues of green trees, some flowering specimens, and the wide, winding roads, with thousands of yellow and rust lilies in clusters —well, it is so glorious, I w’ish you could have seen it too. When we arived at Mount V ernon we were escorted through the home of George Washington—as he left it. It is so well worth seeing, and from the upstairs windows one gets a very extensive view of the Potomac River. Mrs. Frommet and I walked down to the tomb of George and Martha Washington. I was given a large piece of ribbon from the wreath sent by “White House.” I cut it in half and gave Mrs. Kasper a piece. One day we visited the New Zealand Legation. Sir Charles and Lady Berendsen were away at New York, but we are invited again to sec them both. Miss Coates, our late Prime Minister’s daughter, chatted with us, and a Miss Fraser, of Waimate, who knew* friends of mine there. They have helped us very much,, as we have been able to visit prisons, having a ca. and driver at our disposal. We shall be seeing children’s courts, women’s prisons, boys’ homes, etc.

Thursday next, a picnic is being arranged for us by another group of W.C.T.U. ladies there, to the Monastery and famous Water-lily gardens, supposed to be unsurpassed in the world. Last Sunday afternoon, we were at Dumbarton Oaks. I have not seen a garden like it anywhere, and the Museum was interesting. My dear husband used to get International Literature from there and I was glad * to see the place. I am just putting things down as they come into my head, as I must memorize things; so if it appears somewhat disjointed, you will quite understand. We have been to the top of the Washington Monument in a lift which carries 33 people at once, and is in use all the time, people coming and going. The view from the top is extensive and beautiful. We have visited Abraham Lincoln’s monument many times, and when it is lighted up at night it is a thing of beauty and a joy for ever in art. Also to see the Capitol lighted at night is marvellous. We visited the Walter Reed Hospital, and spoke over the air to 2,000 beds. We have seen and visited a Masonic Home for Women, and a place for Career Women. Everybody seems to be considered in Washington. I can tell you with pride, New’ Zealand has the eyes and ears of the world, and I am very proud to be one of her beloved people. We have certainly led the way in many reforms and if we can bring something back which will be of use, we will certainly do our best. Strangely enough, I am taken all the time for an English woman. I say, “No, no, I am New Zealand-born.” Little Dr. Howard, a Quaker and a Senator, asked, “Are all the ladies tall, like you, Mrs. Mackie?’’ I w*« amused. By the way, you know the next World Convention is to be in London; Sweden next.

Americans have very little home life. Most of the meals are taken in eating houses. That is why we have enjoyed being invited to friends’ homes. I am so impressed with the little squirrels. They are fairly tame, and the bird life is different from ours. Hummingbirds, robin redbreasts, the cardinal, etc., etc. The insect life is

strange, too. In the evenings, little flies of some sort have a light in the end of the body. It is like a little electric bulb, but they seem to have different colours. They remind me somewhat of our glow-worms, except that they fly. If you ever get an opportunity to visit America, do take it. I just love the women here. They are so very gracious. Some day I want to come back to this country. I may when I go to the London Convention. I have a World Superintendency now\ I have taken it for three years to see how it works out with my Peace Superintendency. Well now. I could write pages more. The heat makes me very shaky. I will conclude with my dear love to ail New Zealand friends and sisters in our beloved cause. Thank you for your many prayers. Our Father has given us many “joumeyirg mercies.” Don’t stop praying foT us, please. (Sankey 494.) Our united love. Mrs. Kasper is writing soon. Ever your friend, ETHEL M. MACKIE p.S—Temp. 91 degrees. Humidity 95 degrees.