WOULD DO AWAY WITH PARLIAMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 67, 10 June 1927, Page 5

WOULD DO AWAY WITH PARLIAMENT

DORA WILCOX IS EMPHATIC Mrs. William Moore, better known to many of us as Miss Dora 'Wilcox, the poetess, now in Sydney, is nothing if not revolutionary. At a complimentary luncheon given her in Farmer’s smoke-room the other da}’ by fellow members of the Lyceum Club, Mrs. Moore declared herself thus: “Parliaments should be abolished in this country,” she said. “We should be so developed and civilised that no laws are necessary; instead there should be a friendly feeling to duty.” She gave a vivid address on her impressions of Australia. “When I first arrived here from the Southern Island of New Zealand I was very disappointed with the scenery. But after a trip to Europe my eyes were cultivated, and on my return I was amazed at the beauty of Australia’s colouring,” she declared. She deprecated the cruelty to animals which is prevalent, and the invidious habit of tearing up the native flowers by the roots. She also put in a plea for the better treatment of the aborigines. “We should be proud to treat them well in their native land,” she declared. Mrs. A. G. Thomas, the president, welcomed Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Aurousseau, who recently returned from abroad. “Mrs. Moore has essentials to art,” said Mrs. Muscio, another speaker. “These are sensitiveness and appreciation for form, colour and music.” Mrs. Mary Gilmore, in proposing the toast of the Lyceum Club, said that it stood for culture and fellowship, a place where intellect comes first. Lady MacCallum was another speaker.