WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2738, 5 April 1916, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from Page 2.) National Reserve Red Cross Tea. A most successful Red Cross ten, organised by the committee of the Hataitai and ftorth Kilbirnio branch of the Women's National .Reserve, was held in tho Methodist Hall, Hataitai, yesterday afternoon. So. much intorest was taken in the event that the building was crowded to tho doors and seating room wbb quite impossible for.a number of those present. This interest.was evidenced in a.still more practical way by the fact that very many of those who. attended the tea wero parcel-laden with homemade sweets, or with cakes, scones, etc., which were'sold for the benefit of the Red Cross funds. In charge of this stall wore Mrs. Bowling snd Mrs.' Pritcliard and they did an excellent business with their very attractive-looking goods. The stall, too, had been very, prettily arranged with a trellis work covered with sweet peas and, foliage, whilo drapings of red, blue, gave the proper patriotic touch to the decorations of the test of the room.

The platform was reserved for the members of the committee of the Hataitai and N/>rth Kilbirnie branch of the reserve, its president, Mrs. Seville,- and for the .chief sneakers of the afternoon, Dr.' Platts-Mills (the president of the. Women's National Reserve) and' the •general organising secretary, Mrs. Porter, the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) and ■Captain Donald Simson, who came with a little party of returned soldiers. Dr. Platts-Mills, who was introduced to those present by Mrs. Seville, spoke of the. interest which the Reserve had created among women in very ; many parts of the Dominion, and of the way in which they were equipping themselves to take the places of the men who felt impelled to fight for thoir country. For clerical work, bookkeeping, shorthand, and typing, there was an almost unlimited' demand, and members of the Reservo were prepared to do any work at all that would in any way help to win this war. Some people had asked, "Wiry, should you do this clerical work free of charge for tho • Government?" and to that guestion she had answered, "We were just as much" privileged to give our services in that direction for the ultimate benefit of the men at the front as those who were sewing or cooking for them. If women feel they can do better work in this direction, then why should they not givo their services free in the'same way that the Mayoress and ner committee were working.- at the Town Hall for the men at the front?" She did not think that they were preventing women and girls from earning their .; living in : those ways. • : Dr. Platts-Mills told her hearers , that the previous day she' had received a letter from the Prime Minister in which he informed .her that . Cabinet had decided to; give the; Women's National Reserve, the task of, carrying .out the •registration of the women of New Zealand.. This was a privilege which they would all appreciate to the. utmost. They would now await whatever arrangements the Government, might consider it necessary'to make in the matter. ''; '

■'Mrs.. Porter, the organising secretary, made a b'rief speech, which was listened to. with interest,; and the Mayoress, who arrived later, thanked, the committee and everyone present for the practical interest and enthusiasm which they had shown.for the cause of the Red Cross.

Captain Donald Simson was another' speaker, and he stressed the part which women could play in assisting recruiting; ■'.■,' • . An excellent musical programme had been arranged by Mrs. Shorney. Contributing to it were Mrs. Woodward, Mrs.' Harper,' the Misses Shepherd, Mr. Goudie, My.. Woods/''and Miss . Betty P.urdom, and everyone of the items met with much appreciation. Tho. difficult task of handing round afternoon tea to so many people was successfully accomplished by the committee, with the assistance of a number of friends, all of whom were distinguished by the wearing of'the Red Cross on their arms. Dr. Platts-Mills was presented with a bouquet of roses by Mrs. Seville.

The enfranchisement of the women of Manitoba is an important event in tho history of the women's movement. Until this year none of the women of Canada has bad. the'vote, but the Bill .which has now' paesed the Manitoba' Legislature not only 'gives the' women of that province the vote, but also makes them eligible for election as members of Parliament. And, according to the constitution of the Dominion,\by gaining the suffrage in their own province, the women of Manitoba will also become electors for the Dominion Parliament. The newly-established Red Cross Shop at Petone, which is under the management of; the Petone Central Nursing Division,* took the sum of £3 10s. 3d. on the opening day. ■ Hiss "Western (Pic'ton) is visiting Wellington. : v . . ■"

An "At Horns" at Ariki-toa. To meet Miss Helen Barnes, the general organising secretary lor Australasia of the 1.W.0.A., who is at present visiting few Zealand in the interests of tho association, Mra. W. F. Massey gave an "at home" yesterday afternoon at Ariki-toa, at which members of the board and those interested in its- work wero present. Autumn flowers and foliage were arranged in tho large drawing-room and m the dining-room, where tea was set, a vivid touch of colour was given by tho scarlet berries of holly which formed the principal decoration of tho tea-table. Assistiug'Miss Massey with the tea were: Miss Shirtclill'o, Miss Ruth bhirtc'iffe, Miss Clark-Johnston, Miss &almond, Miss Seatou, and others. Alter MissWaterbouso had sung and Miss Ruth Slnrtclilfe had played pianoforte solos, the work of tho I'.W.G.A. was brought before those present by Mrs. K- Pearson, the president of the association, who" pointed out the urgent need that had arisen for more accom-modation-'for girls .who. were earning their living in the City. Through tho war, and the'fact that so many men wore' leaving for tho front, girls and ycuhg women from all over the'country were coming to Wellington to fill the vacancies, and the associations hostels had in consequence been taxed to the utmost to- provide accommodation for them. Over and-.■ over again they had .■had to send girls, away', and yet it was now more than ever before that they should be provided with safe, nappy, and•. comfortable accommodation, the association felt itself up against a dead wall, and it most earnestly wished tor assistance in this matter. Miss Barnes, who was next to speak, mado an eloquent appeal on behalf of the work of the association for the girls and young women of this country. h had seemed to her that .in,this l>re•sent abnormal time a wavo of immorality or i licentiousness was sweeping around them, and it was for women to do their utmost to combat it. luey had to see that the men who went away from' this country to light for its freedom for its womanhood should fiud when they came back again a aoble womanhood, one worth fighting for. To-day women had' peculiarly to stand alone, to make their decisions alone, and more than over before was it necessary to'make-'those decisions aright. The Y.W.O.A stood for intangible things as well as all the activities that everyone could see, and these intangible things Were as important, if not more so, than the others. It was not given to every woman to sew, to knit, and to take part in all the activities into which so many women were throwing themselves, but'they could help on the work of tho nation just as much by assisting this work of the Y.W.O.A. that was doing.so much to Fafeguard the girls of to-day. The Y.M.C.A. had done magnificent wcrk, but theirs, too, was just as important, if not more so. .Miss Barnes, outlined the history, of the , association, which had come into being just after the Crimean War, and also its various activities for tho building up of the girls of the'day, and ended with a strong plea for assistance ill extending its work by \ providing more accommodation both in its hostels and in its cafeteria. Eiwryono could do someffiing for their country in this way by.sparing just 1 , a little, or as much of their mono)?.as they could. ' Miss M'Lean also spoke briefly, and Miss Birch, both touching'on problems that the. war' had brought about.\ ■

Dr. Platts-Mills has been asked by the branches of the National Reserve in Dunedin and Auckland to give patriotic; aduresses in the two cities, and will leave for Auckland very shortly for that.purpose. Sl ' tne meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Countess of Liverpool Fund, Mrs. G. E. Way said that it seemed "a prevalent impression . that there were too many socks, but she wished everybody to '/keep 0 n knitting." Only the other day a woman said her son at'the front wrote homo asking for socks—and yet more sockß. : The latest and the mode of these ever-, changing times—Parisian Bloom U'raicheur, Paris, Reg.), a3 distributed by Miss | Milsbm, eole agent. This beautiful, hygienic and novel preparation gives a natu- • ral bloom and healthy, fresh' appearance to the complexion. Used by tho best and mado of the best. Price 3s. 6d. box. Sole Proprietors all "Culteno" skin preparations—the Skin Food 35., the Balm 3s. 6d. Write for hair preparations, complete outfits for dry, greasy, grey and faded hair. All hairwork. Perfect match and texture guaranteed. Miss Milsom, 94 Willis ■ Street (4 doors past "Evening Post"). Telephone 814.—Advt. Whoever suffers from chapped hands and, does not use "SYDAL" (Wilton's Hand Emollient) is foolish, those . who avoid having chapped hands by using "SYDAL" are wise. Where do you belong?—Advt. . '

. We can show thrifty parents a fine range of boys' and youths' overcoats", 10s Gd.to £2. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Manners . Street—Advt. .

Red Cros3 Dopot. The central dopot of tho Wellington branch of tlio British Red Cross and Order of St. John, situated in the Dental Buildings, opposite the Town Hull in Mercer' Street, is now in occupation by the committees. Three floors are being used, consisting practically of one large room each, in the lower two of which cutting-out, sewing, etc., will he done, while the top floor will ho used as a storage room. The building is provided with a lift, and a lane or .small right-of-way at cue side gives convenient access for cartage,, etc. In addition to work being given out to all who ask for it workers who wish, may go there and sew. It will not be necessary for any worker to belong to the Red Cross, the Order of _ St. John, or any other body. Any society, any organisation, or any person will be free to go there and sew so long as it is Red Cross work they aro doing, and that their work goes through the Red Cross organisation. Yesterday all the stores of the women's branch of the Red Cross and [Order of St. John wero being transferred to tho building, and all supplies should'be sent there for the future. From it, hospital needs for the front will be supnlied_ as set forth by the military authorities.

A NEW ZEALAND PIONEER

The late Mrs. S. M. Maxton, whose death took place at Greytown en Monday, was One of the earliest of Wellington pioneers. Born in 1827, in London, Mrs. Maxton came with her -parents (Mr. and Mrs. W. Dunn) to Now Zealand, in the sailing ship Birman. in 1842. By a curious coincidence, her future husband i was also a passenger by the Birman. After living in Wellington for a number of years, she went to the Wairarapa, where idle had lived for over forty years. The deceased lady had a wonderful memory, and many and interesting were the tales she'had to toll of the days when tho settlers had to depend upon the kindness of tho Maoris for food ; and when a ' raupo-roof ed whaTo. with a clay floor, was considered a luxurious dwelling. Of a- generous and kindly nature, Mrs. Maxton hsid a wide circle of friends, among whom she numbered many of the Native race. The latter held her in great rcsnect—indeed, she could speak the Maori language .like a Native, and had a wide knowledge of their lore and customs. Mrs. Maxton hnd vivid recollections of the time when_ the Wellington Settlement was practically in a state of siege,_ and the settlers held their lives in their hands. She remembered, also, the terrible time when the_TJau Hnus_ gathered in great numhers in the Wairarapa, and when the pioneers were forced to send their wives and families in to Wellington. Her hands were never idle. Although in later years she was unable to leave her bed, her fingers were always busy fashioning garments for her many grandchildren. She'had quite a wonderful gift for needlework. _ Of a fnm.ilv of twelve, seven survive—Mr. J. Maxton (Kaikourat, Mrs.. J. Esrle, of Wellington, Mrs. J. O'Connor (Waikanae'l, Messrs. Mark and Walter Maxton (Greytown). Mrs. W. F. Rovclb/wc (Carterte-n). and Mrs. l Rogers.'of Svdnev. and ther" are forty-eight crandchildren, and fifty great-grandchildren.

The yiotpria League Concert Party intfends' travelling on, Friday to Falmerston Nor Jh, where an entertainment will be given in the Opera House for the benefit of the Gamp Concert Parties' Motor Fund. Very generous offers of assistance have been received from • the Palmerston Patriotic Society, in connection with various necessary arrange--ments entailed by, the entertainment, and offers of hospitality for the members of the party havo'-'been received as well. Mrs. Dall; Mrs. Webster, and Mrs. Chatfield. among others, will travel with the members of .the.party..

A meeting of the executive of the Victoria League was held in one of the committee rooms of the Town Hall yestertlay, when various matters in connection with the annual meeting of tlie league, which is to be held on Thurso day week, were dealt with. The annual report was discussed and members who will stand for election on tho" committee at tho forthcoming meeting are to be approached. Other derails were also discussed. There was a good attendance of members, and an interesting meeting may be looked for on Thursday week, judging from the arrangements mado.