WOMEN'S DIVISION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 13, 15 July 1937, Page 18

WOMEN'S DIVISION

FARMERS' WIVES CONFER

St. Francis's Hall was packed to capacity yesterday afternoon, when the annual conference of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union was opened by Mrs. T. Hislop, Mayoress of Wellington. . Gay viburnum berries and Iceland poppies, combined with the decorations of the dance hall, gave the scene an unusually festive appearance. Mrs. C. K. Wilson, Dominion president, was in the chair and Mrs. Goodson, president of the Wellington branch, was at the piano.

Mrs. Hislop's speech showed a deep sympathy and understanding with the problems of the countrywoman, and with the work of the organisation in endeavouring to provide help in country homes, when sickness or trouble of any kind incapacitated the mother. "Home is the root of human society," said Mrs. Hislop, "but homes cannot be maintained happily without adequate assistance, and home keepers and good wives and mothers cannot be created without training. Unless this problem be solved, the situation will adversely affect the life of New Zealand."

Miss Amy Kane and Mrs. Kelso brought greetings from the Women's Institute, and Mrs. H. Jowett, president of the Wellington branch of the Plunket Society, from her society. Mrs. Lee Martin, wife of the Minister of Agriculture, also congratulated the division on its work, and Sister Stringer conveyed the good wishes of the Red Cross Society. Mesdames J. C. Wickham, W. H. Ward, J. F. Drake, and C. C. Jackson, officials of the division, also spoke briefly.

Mrs. C. K. Wilson's thoughtful presidential address .embodied an urgent call to all women to stand by their bread and butter. "If we were organised as thoroughly as the labour unions are organised we would not be selling our produce below cost, as we have done for years—if we are not careful we will be the farm slaves of the future. The 'wage' slaves have emancipated themselves. We must do the same."