WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 14, 11 October 1919, Page 5

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from I'age 4.) International Rod Cross l.eagu|. The following translation ot the report of an intufviuw accorded l>.y I'rotesstir Jioux to the ed.toi ot "Lu l'etit Nioois" will give readers some, idea of the object ol' tan International Ked Cross Conference which was In Id at Cannes. In answer to questions Professor iioux said :— "Wo are met together to set forth a programme concerning th<> prevention of disease and the development of Jiyg.ciie. By earnestly carrying out this programme the iietl Cross societies wn.'V continue in pcaeu time the good work they did during the war. We do not know if there wj'l be a tied Cross Congreic, nor when there will bo one. Wo sire nlit even a preparatory assembly of the ltcd Cross. No society has delegated us. We are experts, technical advisers, whom the American lied Cross lias called together to establish a plan of action, which will be submitted afterwards to the various national Ked Cross societies. )Ye have agreed to the principle of founding a centra! bureau which wi'll keep lte<l Uroiw societies of the various countries m constant touch with one _ another. This bureau will invito the national Ked Cross societies continuing their efforts to light against disease, and it wi 11 _ hellp them to teach hygiene, i'inally, it is not e<\ much a question of introducing new medical methods as of popularising actual methods, of educating the public in health, matters. Such wilt bo the role of the Ked Cross societies in pcace, anil they will become the, liest helpers of governments—for social hygiene is, and remains, A function of the Government. Tho example lias been given during the war 'by the American I'cd Cross, \Vhoee ingenious and fruitful activities against tuberculosis and for the hygiene of infancy you know of. The professors last words,' awakening all old subject of great interest to tho editor, cause him to ii.sk: "Is. not the hygiene of infancy tho fundamental question* with which the conference will assuredly occupy itseCf?" "There is no doubt it," replied Professor Bon*. "A special section is set up for this end; and none of our colleagues forgets that oii it depends the future of our race and ot humanity." Tho English-speaking oe.egates on tho Infant Welfare section were Dr, L. Eminft Hall, Now York; Dr. Samuel Hamil, Philadelphia; Dr. Talbot, Boston; Dr. Palmer Lucas, f?an l-'runeisco; Sir Arthur Neusholme, lately medical adviser to the Local Government Board, London; Profu'sor Kenwood, London University; Dr. 'J'ruby King.

A GIFTED ACTRESS MISS POLINI'S VISIT. First impressions are always interesting. Miss Jimclie Polini, the gifted actress who is being introduced to Now Zealand by Messrs. J. and N. Tait, appears to project in The first five minutes of conversation all the characteristics of the three countries that claim her as their own. England puts in a strong claim, as she was born, educated, and received her training for the stago there, and that is shown in her strong grasp of affairs, her acceptance of logic-til reasoning, and the healthy outlook she has oil every subject, moral anil social particularly. Italy's claim is based oil her parentage, and the Latin in her is like lightning' in her blood : she'is so quick to see a point, so vivacious and ready in response or repartee, and so warm in her affections. American papers, with their usual audacity, claim jtiss Polini as one of their own, merely because she has been playing successfully in America for tho last seven years. But when Jhss Polini says "we" in tho course of her animating lalk she means we English, so that, though she lias married an Australian (Lieutenant 1 . Ellis), the Commonwealth has no earthly chance of destroying her allegiance to the little old island in the grey North Sea. "You see, father was manager for the late AVilson Barrett, for years and years," she explained. "So 1 was always in touch with the stage in a way since I was very voting, and perhaps it was only natural tliat T. adopted it as a profession. ■ Of course, a factor in tho adoption of such a profession is the measure of success attained in one's early efforts,. I must httvc been all light, for hero I am!" said Miss Polini wniling. "Knglnnd; yes, I love England. It has meant; a great deal to me. I have acted, I beliove, in every town in England, Ireland, and 1 Scotland. Do.-you know, J-our harbour and your mountains are verv much like the loch district, of Scotlnn'd. The likeness to me is striking— you get the same ofleels of blue mists over tho mountains, there is the same absence of forest oh the hills—yes, it is evo'r so much like' Scotland, Northern Scotland, and I liko it, for it takes ma bnck home asrain. '•"After playing many parts in England in comedy and drama—l don't like to play either very long without a change— I was asked to go to America with ,'Hindle Wakes,' a Lancashire dialect play, by Stanley Houghton, a. veiy able play dealing ivith Lancashire plainness, with a delicate subject. We tried it. out 'on the dog,' as they say, at Newark, and Mr. Bratlv was enthusiastic about, it—he loved it. 6;i the way to town some old professors got hold of him, and advised him to ton« it down, and ho got 1 James Montgomery to do tho toning. That nearly killed "the pluy—the original version was reverted to at once, but tho damage had been done. Still, in Chicago and elsewhore'it was a big success—and to my mind, a strong,, usesul play.. It just showed how much the author knew and how injudicious it was to monkey with hit) knowMge." Miss Polini has played many parts throughout tho chief cities of the United States of America under such managements as Mr. Brady, Oliver Moroseo, and Win. Faversham, but says that her reputation is mainly metropolitan—New Yot-lc chiefly, with an occasional dash to Chicago, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia. . And would you sooner act there than in England? "Yes, I think I would. It is a hard school, and if they don't like you they win and do mako it very unpleasant for an English artist. Tho competition is so keen! You have to light—and I love a fight. I suppose I was fortunate. They liked me. and there you are, and now I'vo played all kinds of parts. They never ta'ko my accent and nevor even call attention to the foot that I am English. Tltey simply accept me. Now I have all their idioms of speech and intonation. I can play any of their parts. In America the extremes of life seem to meet. In New York it is sometimes difficult to hear people speaking your own language. People should not judgo the Americans rashly or injudiciously—they are a great people and are going to be a greater." Miss Polini said anmit her success in Australia that sin; came out. seventeen months ago, and has since played in two plays only.