WORLD SHOULD BE RUN WOMEN'S WAY

Chronicle (Levin), 20 March 1947, Page 8

WORLD SHOULD BE RUN WOMEN'S WAY

—Press Association

GREATER INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS URGED

By Telegravn-

CHRISTCHURCH, March 19. Women should rouse themselves and take a greater interest in the affairs of their towns, nation and the world, speakers at a women 's rallv, held under the auspices of the Christchurch branch of the National Conncil of Women, de clared today. Tho M-ayoress (Mrs. Hardy Cooltson) welcomed the dele gates. Too long, it was claimed, had women oecupied an inferior place, and now with a topsy-turvy world they should assert their powers and run things the woman 's way. Women were told to develop a critical faculty and to see tliat women contested local body and parliamentary elfictions. Twelve women fipoke this ntormng on various aspects of women's participation in civic life. The rally, which is lieing attended by women from many parts of New Zea land, this morning attracted an audi ence of about ±00, which included senior pupils from the girls' high schools. The purpose of the conference is to slrow ways in which women could play a more prominent part in every (lav affairs. Miss Mary McLean, chairman of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, wlio presided, said that many of the suggestions that came forward at the rally would be dealt with as remits at the annual conference of the council at Timaru next month. Heniocracy could not work uuless its citi/.ens were politically intelligent, said Miss "Elsie Andrews (New Plymouth). At the time of the general election people were urged to put all the sheep on oue side and the £oats on tlu: other, when to any thinking person (liis was absurd. Sentiment had been asked to oust reason. A dull-witted democracy faced the prospect of a revival of the forces of tyranny and oppression. Mrs. G. II. Watts (Christchurch) said the couditions today made it imperative that women should take more part in civic affairs. Local government, edueational organisations, the Plunket So ciety and other public activities should attract their interest and active par ticipation. 'Women should. see that their wishes were carried out. The liousing shortage caused maiiy of to day's problems and it lav in the power of women to set it right. The conference' concluded tonight. Altogetlier there were .'52 speakers who had an audience of several hundred women at each session. The subjeets dealt with covered a very wide range The speakers generally emphasised the need for women to wake up to their respoimibilities, to maintain the stalus and reputation which they had gained by their work during war vears, and not lo sink bac.k into pre-whr apathy.