WOMEN'S ANTI-GERMAN LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 247, 12 July 1919, Page 4

WOMEN'S ANTI-GERMAN LEAGUE

PRESENTATION OF ALLIANCE , FRANCAISE MEDALS. A very pleasant and interesting little ceremony in connection with the Women's Anti-German League was held at tlib Pioneer Club yesterday afternoon, when medals from tho Alliance Franeaiso (Paris headquarters) were presented to members of the original executive by Sir Robert Stout, Acting-Governor General. Afternoon tea was a pleasant preliminary, and upon their arrival at the club Miss Holmes, tho president, and Lady Stout (the former president) were prc> sen ted by Mrs. .Moore (lion, secretary), on behalf of members, with beautiful bouquets of violyts, tocsins, ani primroses. There was a large attendance o.t members.

In the course of a brief speech Miss Holmes said'that now that the war was over the league would still continue work, but upon different lines. One ol their tasks would bo that of inducing members of Parliament to bring down restrictive measures against tho Germans in our midst. Sho did not think it right that Germans should occupy seats in our Houso of Legislature, should become magistrates, justices of the peace, or should be allowed to enter tho Civil Service. They must get members ot Parliament to state their attitude on this question. Miss HoCmes strongly urged tho kaguo not to buy Germanmade goods, and to induce 'as many people as possible not to buy them either, as if it were niado known that German goods would not bo bought, they would not bo imported into tho country. Before presenting the medals, , Sir Robert Stout expressed tbe opinion that not even Belgium had. suffered so greatly as had France. Devastation had not been carried over so wide a field in the former country. Referring to tho Alliance Francnise, ho said that it occupied something of the pla.oD in France that the.Victoria League did in England, and because of the work done by tho Women's Anti-German League ill this country ,it had forwarded theso medals. Ho felt sure that nil would be delighted to think that the Alliance Franchise had recognised the league's work in such a way as this, and also delighted to think that a league of peace had been brought about between Franco and England. To each of the following members ot the first executive Sir Robert' Stout, presented the Alliance Francaise medal:— Miss Holmes, Lady Stout, Mrs. T. H. Lowry, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. M'Vicar, auu Mrs. Mormont. . .

In expressing her pleasure at receiving tho medal, Lady Stout said that though they may not have appeared to have dono ah immense amount-of work, yet they had indirectly and also directly prevented a great deal of harm being done by enemy aliens in our midst. Tho league had been confronted with many difficulties, and. had had to fight against powerful influences. It had also had to work very quietly. Had not members dropped away from tho society in the way they had much more work could have been accomplished. To their president. Miss Ho'.mes, the league owed much. ,- ...

Mrs.' Low.ry paid a very'high tribute to the work dono by Madamo 13'aeufvo and Miss Beatrice Day, who started tho league's work. Both had' a son at. the war, and both had felt they must do their part too. While away from New Zealand the} 1 had continued to work, for their country, and had suffered privation, hardship, and poverty. Much appreciation was also expressed of their work by Lady Stout and Miss Holmes. ,

Mrs. Jloorc, when expressing appreciation of tlio modal she had received, eaid she could not but remark upon the fnct that recognition of the work done hy the Women's. Anti-German League camo from a foreign country, an ally, but nof from their own Government. She thought it would have been but a generous thing for the Government to have i'acknowledged the league's services. . ■' The singing of "The Marseillaise" and the National Anthem concluded the afternoon. Feildinn Notes, A dance was held in the Parish Hall last Tuesday by a committee composed of Misse* Atkinson, Fetch, Woollams, Waymoutli, Fitzllerbert, and Gorton, and Messrs, Lo Cren, Jleyrick, Nea'l, and Waymoutli. Among thoso present were Mesdames Gorton, Waymoutli, Atkinson, Woollams, Meyrick, FitzHerbert, Phillips, Bull, Broad, Hobbs. Willis, Jones, Haggett, Horrock, and Miller, Misses Hare (debutante), Wayiuouth, Gorton, FitzHerbert (debutante), Woollams, Spain, Livesay, Brown, NenJl, Jones, Hnybittle, Haggitt, McGuire, O'Halloran,. Messrs. Haggitt, M'Guiro, Parsons, Wuyinonth, Thompson, Broad, Jones, Hobbs, Miller, Gorton, Elliot, and many others. The hall ■ and marquee were beautifully decorated. ■ / Mrs. Tines-Jones has returned from the South. Mrs. M'Nab,, who has been staying' with Miss Ha'ybittle, has returned to Taumarunui. ' Women's National Reserve. Sister West, of the Public Health Department, gave a most instructive and ■ helpful lecture to the AVomen's National Iteserve Girls' Club on Thursday evening. There was a very good attendance and all were' most enthusiastic. Detachment sections were formed and tho commanders were most keen upon their work.