Leslie, in the name of the B.W.A. Favre Committee, asked me to come to. Shanghai to open this Favre I had no idea of the enormous proportions this entertainment was going to assume, ov what a large and representative gathering I should have to face for the occasion. Had I known, T confess I should have hesitated to accept, but having committed myself so far 1 must now crave your patient indulgence for a few moments in order that I may give you one or two personal impressions regarding the objects of this Favre.
"To make myself quite clear, 1 must take you all back to that great milestone in our lives—the War. You are all aware of the art played by women in the War, from our gracious Queen Mary downwards, when every able-bodied, physically fit and intelligent. woman from all parts of. Great Britain and ker Dominions volunteered for service at Home and abroad. What wonderful success crowned this spontaneous impulse of—gert-denial and sacrifice will ever stand to the credit of British womanhood! of that day. But with this extraordinary development che seeds of adventure and enterprise, independence and masculine efficiency were sown and the aftermath of war yas to show us that these seeds had not fallen on stony ground. With the dawn of ampler life, new and broader horizons had! opened on the hitherto rather narrow yxwion of those women and girls who wad to face the dangers and difficulties with their comrades of the stronger sex and had prove: therr value. The days of Queen Bess respect and admiration for their social work and organization, came forward and conceived the plan of a woman's hostel or club, where a single working girl or woman arriving from the mother country or one of her Colonies, would find a temporary home, where, once settled in Shanghai, she could seek the seclusion and the security so dear to her soul, read her home letters in comfort and enjoy her well earned moments of leisure. But naturally the renting, furnishing and administration of a building of this importance necessitates a large sum of money, and it is hoped that with the help of your kind generosity and benevolence this English Favre will be the means of raising the funds required.
"The enterprize is_ philanthropic, humane, patriotic and far reaching: give it all your full support and may God bless it. Ladies' and Gentlemen, I have now much pleasure in declaring Ye Old' English Favre open and starting it on what I fee! sure will be a career of unparalleled Little Misses Catherine and Ruth Green, in pretty old English dresses, with big plumed hats, then presented Lady Macleay with a basket of flowers and tiny Miss Pamela Craddock, looking sweet in a blue costume, presented Mrs. Stitt and Mrs. O. M. Green with bouquets.
Sir Skinner Turner then said:—"Pardon the intrusion of a mere man on an occasion like this. I am also an obedient man—as far, at all events. as the other sex is concerned. When asked, I naturally obeyed, and I am here to ask you all, on behalf of the organizing committee of the British Women's Association, its members and all here, to show hearty appreciation of the presence of Sir Ronald and Lady Macleay, to thank them for coming and to express the hope that they will enjoy the Favre as much as we enjoy having them here.''
There cheers were given for the Minister and Lady Macleay and the former was presented by Mrs. Irwine with a souvenir copy of "Ye Olde English Favre Booke."
The camera and cinema operators having been satisfied, the visitors then went on a tour of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.