WHAT WE WOMEN THINK

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 2, 24 July 1931, Page 32

WHAT WE WOMEN THINK

Drama in New Zealand. Miss ELIZABETH BLAKE, writing from Home to a friend in Wellington, advises that she has already seen the secretary of the British Drama League in connection with her campaign for the development of drama in New Zealand. She received a cordial welcome, and has been asked to speak at the Autumn Conference at Hull and make an appeal on behalf of drama in the Dominions, with special reference to New Zealand. She is hopeful that she may find a producer of the right calibre to come out to the Dominion for, possibly, two years. Miss Blake has also seen the chief organiser

of the women’s institutes, and found her most friendly and anxious to help. It is her intention to attend a school for producers in August and undertake other coaching as well in London in the coming winter. The development of drama in Britain is proceeding apace, and wherever Miss Blake went she advises that she saw clever posters advertising plays of Shakespeare and worth-while moderns, these plays being given by amateurs in tiny villages and small towns as well as big towns. A Comment. From London, Cordelia writes characteristically: "Bernard Shaw is still going strong, and has once more vigorously denounced tue Labour Go-

vernment for not allowing Trotsky inte Pngland. It is absurd, isn’t it? A Labour Goyernment taking such a ridiculous attitude, too! Have you read Trotsky’s book, ‘The Rise and Fall of a Dictator’? It is fascinating. And so are all Trotsky’s articles in the ‘Manchester Guardian’." O Paradise! A MINIATURE house, made to; a seale of two-fifths the size of an ordinary house, will be presentéd to Princess DWlizabeth when she reaches her sixth birthday next year, The Duchess of York has given her approval to the gift, but its existence will be kept secret and as a‘ surprise for the Princess. The house is to be shown at the Ideal Home Exhibition at Cardiff, and the Building Trade Exhibition at Swansea, and then redecorated for its royal owner. It is in no sense a doll’s house. Small children can move comfortably in it because it is made to fit them, but grown-ups will not be able to get inside the door. There are six rooms, completely furnished ; minia- ' ture stairs leading from the ground to the first floor. Pictures by well-known artists hang on the walls, there is a kitchen and scullery, with electricity} and running water throughout the house. What a rapturous playground! Street Scenes. ‘ROM Dunedin comes the following from one possessed of seeing eye and understanding heart :- In George Street, swept by icy blast from snow-crowned hill closing round the town, I meet the Rev. --, looking ill, haggard of eye, and thin as a rake. "Busy morning," he says in passing. "Ninety grown-ups and 60 children for food and clothing." "You need a woollen scarf yourself," I say severely. "Never wrap up," he says in his hoarse, tired voice. "Get a cold if I do," and hurries away to another of multitudinous good deeds. ... Then comes a man selling furniture polish. "Tin, lady! Only 1/-." I buy two. "How are things?’ I ask. "Pretty good," he replies. "I tramped the North Island, but down here (the hills bad for me heart. But I’m much better now that I go without dinner five days a week." Goes off cheerily. .. Scene: Attic overlooking slum. I and my "little dressmaker" confer on bringing last year’s suit up to date. Up rickety stairs comes hero of the piece. "Put your sign up, miss?" he suggests. Permission accorded, exit whistling with some conviction. "Out of work," I’m told. "Won’t take charity, Cleans my window" (shining crystal-clear in cutting atmosphere of sunshine after hail.) "He’d do anything for a sprat." "Sprat?’ I query. "Sixpence," she tells , me. "He’s very thin," I remark with . misgiving. "Doesn’t get enough to eat," she replies sadly. "Where does he live?" I ask. "Anywhere!" she says. "There may be heaven, there must be hell! Meantime there is our earth here-_ well!"