WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 62, 7 December 1918, Page 4

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAB AND NEAR,

Women in Parliament. Instead of loading tho way, as it onco used- to do in certain aspects of legislation, New Zealand has fallen behind, as has boon instanced by the fact that women have been given the right to sit in Parliament in Urcat Britain before the privilege has been given th.om in Now Zealunu. i'or a country that hasipndcd itself upon its progressiveness it is a curious anomaly that such should be the case. And even now the matter is uncertain, as although the right of women to sit for Parliament was recognised in the House .of Representatives this,week tho Upper Jlouso is recalcitrant and refuses to pass the measure. It is an extraordinarily interesting tiling that oav legislators liave over and. over again spoken about the splendid way in which women have risen to their responsibilities and have made' every' sacrifice to win tho war, and yet,' when they aro asked to put their appreciation into actual fact by'recognising that women have an equal right iu the shaping of the destiny of the country for which they have made such sacrifices, they refuso to grant that right. Not even tne war, brought about by a man-governed world, iias sufficed j to shako tlie complacency and soli'-' sufficiency of. some of our members of Parliament. . It will be of interest to many people to learn that the Society has bought a property 1 in fipsonl, Auckland, which is to be used as a school. The building is-a.two-storied one, situated upon St..John's Hill, with thirteen rooms and witli four and a quarter acres of land attached to it, stretching up the side of tho hill, and adjoining the city reserve. Enclosed with hedges, privacy is assured, and classes will be held out of i doors so long as weather conditions permit. With so much' ground, part of which is laid out in terraces, there will be plenty of room for out-door games, sport, etc., and the children will be taught to bo'self-reliant by taking part in the upkeep of the .establishment. Already there aro 20 day children waiting to join when, the, school opens in February, and ten boarders. I It lm-3 long been felt by theThoosophical Society I hat newer methods of education . aro needed if the changing conditions of life and thought are to have full expression, and it is their hope • and ambition to establish schools not Only in Auckland, but iu all tho cities and in as many 'towns as possible. Montessori methods have-- been closely studied and practised by the principal of tho primary school, and it is hoped' to secure a noted educationist as principal of the secondary scliool.

Although the position in many homes is so much brighter to-day tha.ll it was three weeks ago, the eevious dislocation of home life which the epidemic |has caused is evidenced by the fact.that there are still 40 children in the 'YIW.C.A. nursery, states the Auckland "Herald/ The children are all. happy and healthy, the incipient sickne33 ■ which occurred lately having been effectually stamped out by the prompt efforts of the workers •ia charge. Admissions have now practically ceased, -but. it'probably will be some time before all the children .aro able- to return, to thoir homes, while there will be some who have' no'homes nor parontsto whom they may return. In the event of any of the children being homeless when ij; is necessary to close the nursery, Brigadier Carinichael, of the Salvation Army, will arrange for temporary homes for them. . Mrs, -Lewis Jl'Dermott, who died, in Dnnedin on Saturday last, was born in Auckland 73 years .ago. Her parents, Sir. and Smith, were pas- ] Bongcrs by tho Duchess of Argylo in IS-J2. After her marriage 50 years ago, Airs. M'Dermott left with her husband for Dunedin, whero eho had resided till her death. Mrs. Jl'Dermott was a widow, her husband having predeceofied' her over 20 years. She is survived by two sons (both of whom are serving ovwsoas), and two daughters. Mr. Alex. Smith, iEilen Crescent, Auckland, is her brother, and the last direct descendant of. the family. ' • Very much regret is felt at Kaikoura at the death of the Rev. Mother Mary Theophane, who died on Tuesday evening, aged 55. The reverend mother, who | was born at Napier, entered tho convent at the age of 18 years. She had been nursing a family through the. opidemic, and contracted influenza herself., Sho belonged to tho Order of tho Sisters of the Mission, and was highly respected in Kaikoura, her kindly, charitable disposition endearing her to all. Miss Darby, maker of art jewellery, has removed from Willis Street to 25 Panama Streot, where k!io is displaying ■ eome charming specimens of her ii.rt. Brooches, pendants, rings, little enamelled scenes set in copper, etc., aro some- of tho things included in her display, and now that Christmas ie looming so closo those in search of artistic and uncommon preBonts should visit her rooms in I'auama Street.