WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from page 2.) victoriFleague RESIGNATION OF MISS TALBOT. All the members of tho Victoria league will be sorry to hear that Miss Talbot has resigned the secretaryship of the league, a position which she has occupied for 15 years, and when in the exercise of her duties. she always displayed so much zeal and efficiency. --'Miss Talbot has been appointed to the important post of Chief Woman Inspector of tho Board of Agriculturo by the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, the president of the. board. I Miss Talbot visited Wellington in 1909, and was the guest of Miss Cdates, the local president ofthe league. Here, and in tho other large centres, she made numbers of friends, and many New Zealand -ladies-before and after her visit here ; had much reason to be grateful to' Miss Talbot for her goodness to them when visiting England. Below will be found a brief sketch of Miss ; Talbot's connection with the league. The Executivo Committee received-Miss Talbot's resignation'with profound regret, but realising the National importance of tho work which she has been asked -to undertake, felt unable to place any impediment in the way of lier acceptance of tho task about to be confided to her, aud which she is eminently qualified tor fulfil. Subsequently• the committee- unani--mously decided to ask. Miss Drayton, who-for. the past five years has been assistant secretary,' arid for the'past nine months acting-secretary, to becomo secretary of the: league. Tho capacity .which she has.shown in the execution .'of ■ her : duties assures them' that tho branches and allied' associations will: find iu Miss Drayton the same, enihusi- ! asm-and.devotion to tho common cause which distinguished her predecessor. '. ; A Message From Miss Talbot. I should like to write something now that it has been decided that I am no longer to be secretary- of tho Victoria League. In giving up the work, I am. conscious as perhaps never before of bow groat a privilego has been entrusted to me in the secretaryship of the league from its start in 1901 down to the, present time. . '

I doubt if to any secretary of a society has been given quite such full opportunity, for service; and this is largely, I think, - because of the broad principles upon, which in the wisdom of its promoters the Victoria League was founded. Through all the succeeding years—in times of strenuous party political strife, of quiet uneventful days, of national joys and sorrows down to tho present searching experience of a terrible war, those principles have stood firm. And to-day when the British people havo proved their unity in freely offering together tie supremist sacrifice, I believe the Victoria League stands in an assured position, well equipped both at homo and across the seas to take an active and wise part in tho future consolidation of the Empire— and with special opportunities for encouraging that mutual friendliness, knowledge, and spirit of service upon which the true life of an Empire so largely depends.

I am proud to have been associated with such work for these fifteen years. I am deeply grateful for the confidence so generously shown to'me by thpse whom it has been .my privilege to servo, 1 and especially to her, to whom as my leader and friend I owe so much of the stimulus and happiness in my work. It is hard, very hard to give up n-ork-ing under such a president as Lady Jersey. lam grateful too for tho many friends at home and in all parts of the world whom but for the leaguo I should never havo known.' I know they will agree with me in thinking that it has been good to work together in such a cause., AVe have learnt .much from one another, and found that happiness which comradeship in work is so sure to bring. It is in gratitude for that happiness and in sorrow at having to break with it that my heart is full to-day. But I would rather not dwell on the personal pain in leaving my work. My many friends will appreciate it to the full. Also I hope confidently that the new work to which I have been called will leave mo opportunity for continued close contact with the future developments of the league. And here let me say with wnat confidence I welcome the appointment of my successor Miss Drayton. For fivo years she'has been closely , connected with the work, giving me invaluable help. | And it is to her untiring devotion that much of the recent development is due.

From among the many experiences of the past years one seems to 6tand out above the rest: my visit to the four

self-governing Dominions which I bogan itt 1909 and ended in 191 L I remember one of the messages I received on board the steamer at Tilbury Docks said: "May you sail under a lucky star." I certainly did so, for not only was' I never unlit for work or enjoyment on land, but I never missed a meal at sea. While in ©very town and homestead and station I went to there was that unbroken, warm-Jiearted welcome, the memory of which will remain with me always, long after tho times of necessary loneliness on such a journey have been forgotten. This welcome is lavishly bestowed upon any visitor from the Mother Country, but especially, I think when they carry a message like that of the Victoria League. It was certainly a wonderful experience. I remember a friend saying to me before I started that such a journey would teach one more than all the rest of one's education put together. I know now what he meant. There is tho inspiration which comes from being close up to those great untouched spaces of nature—"The far-flung fenceless prairie"—and the training to bcaH and mind which comes consciously and unconsciously from contact with men and women of widely differing outlook and experience. It. was after those months of intercourse in the four Dominions that I camo to see with greater clearness the value of such a society as onrs, the effect it had had already in bringing together the different parts, and the opportunity it gave for helpful and practical work in the future. Those months, too. bad shown me that if ever danger should threaten the Mother Country, or an assault be made upon the liberties of the world, there would bo one response, and one only, from men and women of our race. We know now what that response has been.

As British people then wo have a great hprijfcnge and equally a grent responsibility. May the members of the Victoria Leaguo so serve their society in the future that they may be worthy of that heritage and of that responsibility.

RetF Gross Shop, Woodward Street. Mrs. Berry and Mrs. Hall, of Seatoun, will havo charge of the Red 'Cross Shop, Woodward Street, on Wed-* nesday, and will have a good supply of cakes and sweots, etc. Danes for Soldiers. A reminder is given of the dance to be held at the Soldiers' Club this evening. Ladies who hold red tickets are requested to be in attendance early.