NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 11

NATIONAL COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women was held last evening, the president, Miss Carnachan, presiding. Before business was commenced Miss Carnachan welcomed to the meeting Mrs. Parker, of Melbourne (an associate member), Mrs. Blomfield (a New Zealander, who has been for a number of years in America) j and Mrs. Goff, of Gisborne. Lady Sidey, who arrived later in the evening, was also warmly welcomed. The secretary was asked to send a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Lovell-Smith, of Christchurch, from the council upon the death of her daughter. Miss C. Lovell-Smith, who had been prosy for the Dominion president, Mrs. Fraer, at the conference of the International Council of Women at Vienna, and whose death had taken place in London. A letter was received from the City Council in answer to the National Council regarding open markets, and stating that it was considered th« time was not yet ripe for their establishment in Auckland. A letter. was read from i the superintendent of markets and market property in Melbourne, giving information concerning open markets in that city and pointing out their success. It stated that on a Friday night 2000 private motor cars parked around them and the writer stated that such patronage had a corresponding effect in regulating the prices o± commodities to the buyers. It was decided, after considerable discussion, to write again to the City Council giving further details in regard to,the proposed scheme. A report was given by Dr. Hilda Northcroft, convener of . the sub-committee set up to gather information upon the Nurses' Registration Bill. The report in conclusion recommended the council not to oppose the bill and after some discussion it was decided to take no action i one way or the other. A short address ! upon the position of woman and her | responsibilities was given by Mrs. Blomfield, who spoke of the wide public life and keen interest in public matters held by the American women. American women, said Mrs. Blomfield, were highly efficient and were very eager to learn, and she would like New Zealand women to understand them, and they were anxious to understand the women of this country. On her return to New Zealand, Mrs. Blomfield said, she had hoped to find more women in New Zealand interested in national affairs and more prominently placed. She had looked in vain for women in Parliament, I and spoke of several positions held by American women. Mrs. Kenneth Gordon spoke. on behalf of the cancer research appeal, and asked for the co-operation of all women's organisations in the effort that was to be made. Mrs. J. T. F. Mitchell spoke of the newly-formed Home Service Association, whose object was "to bring together those needing extra help in the home and those able to offer that help efficiently and at short notice." The trustworthy helpers sent out from this association will do any kind of house work, such as cooking, nursing, sewing, mending, darning, read-

ing to and caring for elderly people, taking charge of home and children in parents' absence and shopping. In a short address Miss Newton spoke of the fact that there was now no woman on the Auckland Board of Education and pointed out the seriousness of such a position. Lady Sidey, who left to-day for England, was asked to convey to the National Council of Women in Great Britain the greetings of the New. Zealand organisation.