ATTENDANCE BY WOMEN

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28260, 24 April 1957, Page 7

ATTENDANCE BY WOMEN

Roll Diminishes Through Day

There are 220 lawyers from other parts of New Zealand at the Dominion legal conference in Christchurch, and some 130 lawyers from the city are attending this convention. Yesterday, most were accompanied by their wives for the opening speeches and the civic welcome. The Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) and the chairman of the Canterbury District Society (Mr R. A. Young), who is the host for the week, welcomed the women. As the day progressed, less was seen of the ‘dependants and in some cases partial dependants”—as the N.Z Law Society’s president (Mr T. P. Sleary) referred to those who accompanied the delegates.

A “cordial” invitation by Mr Young brought many to hear the naugural address by the At-torney-General (Mr J. R. Marshall). Mr Marshall, who commended the society for “restricting its conferences to ‘triennial extravaganzas’ and for “not attacking the Government,’ ” said that his address would “satisfy ■he ladies’ curiosity as to what goes on here, and at the same time remove any desire to be present.” While Mr Marshall’s address was clearly appreciated, only one woman stayed to hear the first paper in the afternoon, and none sMere on hand for the second. During the conference dinner last evening the women were at a buffet dinner elsewhere. There, they were also entertained by a mannequin parade of fashions. Today they will go on a scenic drive through the city and along the Port Hills.