AID FOR MOTHERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 64, 16 March 1944, Page 3

AID FOR MOTHERS

TRAINING HOME HELPS CIVIL SERVANT RANK URGED (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Wednesday. Deeming that it would facilitate the rehabilitation of servicewomen and bring long-delayed assistance to mothers, the Northland interprovincial conference of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union at Whangarei to-day decided to urge the Government to undertake immediately large-scale training of girls in homecraft. The conference also decided to urge that successful trainees be issued with diplomas, should rank as civil servants and be available to mothers free of charge for a definite period before and after the birth of each child. The mover, Mrs. R. Green, Northern Wairoa, emphasised the need for raising the status of mothers, and stated they should receive as a right the privileges asked. At the present time mothers with young children had to compete with others for the sparse number of helpers available. Another benefit which would result from adoption of the scheme was that the status of the home workers would be raised inevitably. The con Terence devoted much attention to discussion of measures to increase New Zealand's birth rate. Members considered that a great deal could be achieved by relieving home worries. Criticism of cramped State houses was voiced, and a motion asking the Government to build homes capable of accommodating larger families was carried. Further remits carried supported establishment of medical clinics in country areas, provision of accommodation for teachers near schools, establishment of homecraft schools throughout New Zealand, and provision of a residential nursery in Whangarei.