SOCIAL PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 134, 3 December 1938, Page 18

SOCIAL PROGRESS

HEALTH AND BEAUTY TALK

The large room which Mrs. Alex. Gillies places at the disposal of the Wellington Central Group of the Social Progress Movement was well , filled yesterday afetrnoon, when Miss Caroline W,ard, of the League of Health; and Beauty, gave an interesting talk1 and demonstration to the members.

Miss Mary Mac Lean, C.B.E V took the devotions and read a suitable portion of scripture. Mrs. Bennie (chairman) expressed the pleasure that all felt that Miss Mac Lean had been able to attend and welcomed Mrs. G: L. Stewart,"a member of the executive.

Amusing recitations were given by Miss Nannestad and Miss Edith Hind. Mrs.' Bennie presented Miss Evelyn Watson, secretary of the group, with a charming bouquet of flowers, and expressed the appreciation which was felt by all of the good work she had done, and'wished her a v,ery delightful, visit to England and abroad* A. tribute was also paid to tlie good work dbne by Miss Richardson. - '■".'

Miss Ward, who .was warmly received, gave an interesting little resume, of the beginning of the women's health and beauty movement, which started by Mrs. Bagot Stack/had reached great proportions in the. numbers of adherents, both in Britain and America. There tvere now 0ver.150,000 women practising the movements,' and making a cult of health, which really meant beauty as well. Miss Ward alluded to a health movement for women, which began as long ago as 1790, but which was given up. later as the training was more on military lines with stiff and jerky movements, ari<J- which later was replaced by something, more practical for girls and women. The-influence of emotions was dwelt upon. Miss Ward said that they added "peace" to their slogan as peace in the mind-and home led to so much that was good and healthgiving. A class of 65 grandmothers had given a very admirable demonstration in London, and Miss Ward, looking round smilingly, said it was really never too late to start on the training, for all of any age almost might bene^ fit. There are 500 members of the league in Auckland, and 170 in Wellington, and she hoped Wellington would come to the Auckland mark, health being a moral social necessity.

Miss Ward then donned her gymnasium costume, and gave a demonstration of some of the exercises, which, were watched with much interest and heartily applauded.

Afternoon tea was served, and Mrs. Bennie thanked Mrs. Gillies for her hospitality. Flowers were presented to Miss Ward, Miss Hind, and Miss Nannestad.