Mrs. J. S. Whitney's valedictory address to the British Women's Association on the conclusion of -her erin of office—and incidentally her three-year "membership of the Executive—dealt forcefully with they need for more general support of the Association by the British women of Shanghai. Mrs, Whitney's disclose lure that the Association does not yet represent 50 per cent. of the adult British women here 1s truly a tonishing, The normal wastage by departures from Shanghai is not being, made good. The Association docs an enormous amount of work for British women here by directly. assisting their enjoyment of amenities which cannot be secured elsewhere and. by Indirectly enabling them to minister to the general welfare of the cominunlly. Tt Is obvious that It gives more to some women than to others, but it Is also equally obvious that women who have the advantages of membership of social clubs of a more elaborate type and do not therefore feel the personal need of the BW.As excellent facilities for' refreshment, Feereation, and the like have a special obligation' to become "members in order to give practical assistance to their tess fortunate sisters. 'Thereby the "Association's basic endeavour promote solidarity among British women of all' classes will receive the encourazoment and reinforcement which it deserves, Every British woman in Shanghai might well regard the Association as an essential charge fon her attention and her member= ship of It as a social, civie, and frlotie duty. Mrs. Whitney put the point well when she insisted that the Association's power for ood could bbe ealcutated in direct ratio to the numbers on ils roll, Of the bet cent services which it renders ther no doubt. Special attention be drawn to the work of the Social Service Board, of which Mrs, Mac-Giivray, an original founder-member of the Astoclation has had (o relin= gush her chairmanship on leaving Shanghai afler many years devoted labour, The details of the Board's work eennot be made public for it necessarily depends for ils success on the unobtrusive "and confidential Investigation of distress, All. who are in any way in touch with Shane hhal's unemployment problems must be aware of the practical manner of ministrations, "its existence alone justifies Mrs. Whitney's Imperative mood in urging greater support of the Association by British Women, Nor is the Association unmindful of social duties. Ils record of entertainment of men of His Majesty's Navy marks a_ privilege which members have long valued. The regular ae: tivities of the Gardening section in encouraging the feminine instinct to make war on the unlovely are cially sulted to this urban life which would oppressively stife all cultural yearnings were not the means found introduces' the glory of flowers, rees and shrubs into" domestic in: {erlors. The Association dog not limit ils vision to Shanghat, Tt keeps In touch with London through the Victoria League and. with Austral through the Sydney Women's Club, In the China beyond Shanghat ite services "through Its Hospital Aid Section in keeping hospitals provided with bandages and" other" much needed supplies are gratefully appreciated, "To quote Mrs. "Whitney again, a ies than 80 per cent, mem= bership of such an organization "Is not good enough"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.