Auckland Honours Miss Maude Royden

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 362, 24 May 1928, Page 13

Auckland Honours Miss Maude Royden

FEMINIST CRUSADER CELEBRATED ENGLISH SPEAKER Yesterday the city of Auckland paid tribute to Miss Maude Royden, the celebrated English woman speaker and preacher. In the afternoon she was accorded a civic reception at the Town Hall. The Mayor, Mr. George Baildon, presided. Miss Royden, daughter of Sir Thomas Royden, a director of the Cunard Shipping Line, has not allowed worldly wealth to stand in the way of her fight for woman’s rights or humanity. After a university education, she went to work in the slums of Liverpool, and has always associated herself with women’s suffrage in England. The crowds which thronged two small rooms at the City Council Chambers yesterday were only a few of those who desired to welcome Miss Royden. Long before 2.30 o'clock the two rooms were filled to overflowing. Corridors were packed, almost to the front door, and many waited outside to catch a glimpse of the noted Englishwoman. People stood on chairs or craned over the tops of the luckier ones in front. The Mayor and the official party escorted Miss Royden through a door at the rear of the table at which the guest was to sit. He apologised for the cramped space, and explained that all the other rooms available in the building were occupied by the Transport Commission, and the Advertising Exhibition. The Mayor, in welcoming Miss Royden, referred to the heroism and attainments of women in the world war. He said that Miss Royden came under the auspices of the British Commonwealth League. She had an unequalled reputation as a woman preacher, and many present had heard her speak in London. “I do not mind confessing, as a mere male, that I feel out of my element on this unprecedented occasion,” said Mr. Baildon in introducing Miss Royden. “I tender to her the wish for a full success in her mission, which is worthy of all the support we can afford.” M.rs. A. D. Campbell, Mayoress, presented the guest with a bouquet of chrysanthemums. On behalf of the National Council of Women Miss B. Carnachan offered a welcome to “the fair city of Auckland, the last on your long journey.” Miss Jean Begg, secretary of the Y.W.C.A., welcomed the guest on behalf of the young women of Auckland. Sho said that they had long waited for Miss Royden’s coming, as she was looked upon as the greatest leader ever given to the young womanhood of the Empire. “The time I have spent in your country is a time I shall never forget,” said Miss Royden in reply. “When I go Home, as you New Zealanders so beautifully say, I shall tell them of your wonderful country.” People had referred to her as a “pattern,” she said. It was a great honour, but she had always looked on New Zealand as a pattern and referred to the Dominion as the first country to give the franchise to women. When women entered into public life, whether politically or municipally, she had hoped that they would bring something individually their own. Women would never organise a political party against men. Miss Royden referred to the splendid work of Sir Truby King, which had been a great inspiration to the Old Country. To get child-life cared for, not only in the home but by legislature or by municipality, was like having one of her own dreams fulfilled. Miss Royden said that she had visited the Karitane Home, but she had never heard of the organised rooms where women could leave their children while they worked. It was one of the things she would look into when she returned to England. Part of Miss Royden’s work in England was in Poplar, the poorest part of London. Often she had seen women made ill and often die through worry about the children they had left at home while another child was being born. “I have learned a great deal more here than I have taught. The love and kindness have made an indelible mark on my heart,” concluded Miss Royden.