Woman’s Work in Many Spheres

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 164, 1 October 1927, Page 8

Woman’s Work in Many Spheres

No. 5. Missß.Camachan

"THE Parliament of Man: The Federation of the World.” That Tennysonian dream may be far from realisation but the Parliament of Woman may be claimed as an accomplished fact. Woman’s world has been federated in the International Council of Women the apex of the most representative and influential organisation of women in the world. The claim is not lightly made. It can be easily substantiated. Working down through the National Councils and branches one comes to the comprehensive foundation of the structure, the various local societies of women striving in all directions for the national welfare. The affiliation of these societies to branches of the National Council co-ordinates the efforts of all. To the Auckland branch of the New Zealand National Council are affiliated over 30 such societies, each able to bring its problems before others and to bring its special knowledge to the problems of others. Miss B. Carnachan, J.P.. the president of the Auckland branch of the

National Council, is ever alert and watchful, keenly realising the mission of the council, to the nation and the women of the nation. “To awaken them, to guide them, to instil into them the sense of tlieir national and their civic responsibilities.” In a forceful enthusiastic sentence Miss Carnachan expressed the great objective. That women were slow to seize their privileges she would admit, but that was the dead hand of tradition not yet shaken off. “I believe that just as it takes the co-operation of husband and wife to manage a house, so it takes both sexes together to manage the affairs of the nation. We urge on our members the duty of exercising their votes and taking their share in the civic and general government. Almost all the women in public life in the Dominion have had the National Council as their training ground. “It may seem conceited to say so, but we really draw the best brains available among the nation’s womenfolk, and that is why we can work so effectively. Any society affiliated can bring up any subject and the council has the unique equipment of information to discuss it from all points of view. If it is a matter of health we have three doctors: if it is education, we have three teachers; if it concerns social evils, we have the social workers of the city. Just think of the wealtli of first-hand knowledge we can bring to bear on any question. “Just let me express here how urgently I feel the necessity of women police. I believe that we could do a wonderful amount of good if we. could get them. We need them and something will have to be done. The moral tone of the nation is only as high as that of its women. We know what we are talking about. The council approves of sports for girls and so personally does Miss Carnachan. “I believe that it is part of woman’s mission to be graceful and adorn the earth, and most sports produce that grace.” Miss Carnaehan’s own game is golf, and she gave up a sunny afternoon on the links to the interviewer. Every year the National Council tackles some big task, such as, for instance, the Child Welfare Conference held under the auspices of the Auckland branch last year. It is understood that the council will direct its attention this year to the tuberculosis problem in boarding-houses, and the overtime hours which some city firms are coming to expect from office girls. —' H.I.M.