1935-05-18 — Page 7

No. 10.

China Mail

HOME SUPPLEMENT

HONG KONG, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1935

LADY PEEL'S

FAREWELL

No. 10

Impressions

E

VEN on these pages devot-

ed to womens interest, there is the danger of laging too much stress on a particular problem. Only last week we discussed

struggle worden's

·through the ages for emancipa- tion, and the ups and downs of that fight under different poli- tical conditions. But the ques tion is so imminent to-day, that one cannot escape a return to it as the occasion presents it- self.

...

Looking over the newspapers of this week's-American nuali, my at- tection was drawn to two reports, side by side, which give a very characteristic pieture of women's suffrage in America.

Hear what the reporters have to. say:

Seven women. six of

them

mothers, hold the governmental reins of New Albany and constitute one of the few "100 per cent petti- coat governments" in the countrya

Heading the little group of wo direct municipal men choser to affairs is Mayor Susie Murphy, 2 widow and mother of four children.

And why would seven women set- out to run the municipal affairs of a city? Let Mrs. Murphy answer: "It seems," she said “that while we have been rocking the cradle, the mer have been rocking the nation, and, since the men have made such a mess of things, why not give us women a chance?"

Under the programme propos. ed by the women, New Albany. would be extended and enlarged.

"Civic consciousness is para- mount in city building." said Mrs. Murphy. "We need an improved park, our band needs rehabilita- tion Our public school is ranked as superior in classification, and

fon- we propose that it shall tinue to contribute to the spiritual and educational life in this com- munity.

The working women of Wiscon- sin vs. a bachelor legislator-that was the line-up to-day for a battle incited by a piece of legislation de- signed to relieve male unemploy- ment and slave off, "race suicide." Alone on one side was Assem. blyman Maurice Fitzsimons, whose bill to outlaw women from public and private employment in order to return them to their rightful places in the home," there to raise families, caused a feminine furry, Clubwomen and married women employed in business joined in the attack on the legislator, accusing him of being too interested in what other men's wives do, and not in- terested enough to find a wife and do his own bit at family raising.

Leading the female forces was Mrs. Max Rotter of Madison, who

to advo appeared at a hearing cate an amendment to the Fitz- simons bill to tax single men more than 21 years of age $10 to $50 month so long as they stay unmarried.

"What he needs is a wife," said Mrs. Potter. "Then he wouldn't be so interested in other 'men's wives and whether they are "com- mitting race suicide or not."

Phyllis Juckey.

TRONG

H

KONG is saying farewell to Lady Peel, so

2

I wondered whether our women readers would like special farewell brought directly from Her Excellency to this page. Well no. I really didn't wonder. for I knew you all would! Consequently I was granted an interview, one traditionally hot morning, and set out all a-trem- ble.

But very soon I was quite at ease. Her Excellency looked so.. cool and her smile was so plea- : sant? And then 1 began to ask what I had come to ask. Was Her Excellency especially in- terested in any social or chari- table organisations in Hong Kong? And would she like to. remind the local ladies of all the work there was to be done in their connection?"

"I am very interested in the work done in local Child Wel- 'fare centres," answered Lady Peel But I think that is a very individual interest that would not appeal to every woman."

She went on to tell me what work was done by curses and local woman helpers at the cen- tres in Kowloon and Wanchai. There is a Welfare Day once a week when mothers bring their

· Photo E. von Kobza-Nagy

LADY PEEL

new born babies to be examined, A great deal is done for the poor children and La Peel's activities in this Seld are well- known.

MILLINERY

8.50*

and less

AURELIA'S

to feat lier Excellency sug

e that it was of little use talking about the work of such organizations because it was so xenerally known; but I think there are many women here who do not know of all the op -portunities there are for social work. And after all there are no women who do not rejoice to hear of the work that is being done to aid the children.

Lady Peel then told me that another of her main interests This was the Cheero Club: club is ran entirely by a com- mittee of local ladies who work untiringly. There is a dance once a week and women part- ners are invited for the soldiers and sailors by the committee. There is also a library which has proved both popular and useful. Lady Peel feels that this is one of the most useful clubs there are The soldiers and sailors, away from their families, have a pleasant and comfortable place where ther may go and meet people. They thus have the opportunity of keeping in touch with things in 4. a well-organised manner. And what is interesting to us is that it is all the result of the local ladies' work and interest. ...

"Have you found the women of Hong Kong responsive to the calls of social work, your Excel- lency?"

(Continued Over-page)