Luncheon Talk at Lyceum Club

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 839, 6 December 1929, Page 4

Luncheon Talk at Lyceum Club

“Modern Influences in China” ADDRESS BY REV. T. GILFILLAN An interesting address on “Modern Influences in China” was given by the Rev. T. Gilfillan at the Lyceum Club luncheon yesterday to a large number of members. In the absence of the president, Mrs. W. H. Parkes, Miss Ellen Melville, vice-president, introduced the speaker. rpilE modern influences in China could be attributed to the West, said Mr. Gilfillan. The contact between China and the western world was comparatively a recent thing. • Christian missionaries had tried to force their way into China as far back as the 16th century, and they were followed by white traders, but there was no real contact of importance until the middle of last century. There had been almost an entire change in the attitude of China toward the West in the last generation. Until last century China had been perfectly satisfied with herself within the wall she had built. The idea of doing better than her illustrious ancestors was considered almost sacrilegious. Now, exactly an opposite view was taken, the latest fashions and ideas were worshipped instead of the ancient. “As the result of events which have been happening in China in the last century, the country is at the present time experiencing a renaissance and an industrial revolution all at once,” Mr. Gilfillan said. “In every department of life there is revolution—a complete upheaval and overturning and the seeking to build anew on a new foundation.” In regard to the industrial revolution which had taken place in China Mr. Gilfillan said that whereas we had been educated in the meeting of new inventions and all modern things, the people of China had to face the whole of our advance, scientific and materialistic, in the mass. It must all have come as a tremendous shock to the Chinese. Mr. Gilfillan had lived in Peking for 10 years, and had seen wonderful changes there. Service cars now took the place of obsolete modes of traveling, and the people liked them. The standard of living had changed enormously, the wages of skilled artisans having been doubled in the last 10 years. Business in China had made the most amazing progress against great difficulties. The trade still went on in spite of the fact that public services were in the most deplorable condition. "The industrial development of the country is enormously hindered by political chaos,” Mr. Gilfillan said, “but in spit© of this, there is growing up among tho Chinese people a strong spirit of nationalism. We may not always agree with the way in which this spirit manifests itself but for China’s sake we should be glad.” At the conclusion of bis address the Rev. Gilfillan was warmly thanked by Miss Ellen Melville for the enjoyable talk, which they had all appreciated.

SOCIAL GATHERING

WOMEN’S PROGRESS CLUB The Women’s Progress Club, Higher Thought Temple, Wellington Street, held its closing meeting, of the year on Wednesday afternoon in the Temple. This took the form of a social gathering of members and friends and an entertaining afternoon was spent. There was a large attendance and the Temple was bright with bowls of roses, carnation and sweet peas. Delightful •musical items were contributed by tho Temple Trio, and the songs and recitations provided by other members wero very much enjoyed by all present. The sei-ving of afternoon tea drew a pleasant time to a close. The club will resume its activities early next year.

RUBBER FOR THE SINK

MANY USEFUL FITMENTS The inYentors have not succeeded yet in producing a washing-up machine which will do its work thoroughly, and cost so little in making that every housewife can afford to buy it. So, as the washing-up still has to be done by hand it is a good plan to make it as pleasant a process as possible. The smooth white sinks which are put into all the new houses are so much nicer than the old, rough kind that they help considerably, and there are various sink fitments which make all the difference to a disagreeable task. It is a very good plan, by the way, to keep a rubber mat in the sink. It saves the surface from getting chipped and cracked, and is well worth the comparatively small outlay. The sink basket, too, can be made of rubber now, and costs very little more than the enamel or aluminium one. It. not only prevents scratches, but saves breakages. A rubber squeegee for taking the grease off plates and dishes is a great help, and there is a tube which will clean the sink itself thoroughly when the viashing-up is completed. It fixes on to the hot tap, rather like the anti-splash tube, and is played all over the sink to get rid of grease. Then it can be transferred to the cold tap, and a stream of cold water sent in all directions to finish off. “Bits” are the worst enemy of the waslier-up. No matter how careful she may’ he, they seem determined to get into the sink, and they make at once for the waste-pipe. Try fixing one of the new rubber stoppers over the perforated metal disc in the sink. They .are made for the purpose, and allow nothing to pass into the pipe. Suction keeps them In place, and they undoubtedly save a great deal of trouble with stopped up pipes, as well as the disagreeable task which follows —of getting the pipes clear again.