WOMEN’S REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12801, 24 July 1939, Page 4

WOMEN’S REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE

SHORT AGENDA PAPER FORMATION OF EMERGENCY COMMITTEE The monthly meeting of the Women’s Representative Committee was held on Friday afternoon in the Borough Council Chambers. As the Mayoress, Mrs L. R. Wilkinson, could only he present for a short time, Mrs Hickey was voted to the chair. Those present were Mesdames K. Cannell (Methodist Guild). L. Flower and Hickey (Tauranga Women’s Institute), Wilkinson (League of Mothers), J. Pemberton (Tauranga Federation of Women’s Institutes), E. Pemberton and Hodson of Te Puke (Women’s Division Provincial Executive), R. Polley ana E L. Mackey (Progress League), R. Faulkner (Ambulance Nursing Division), Bryant (Tauranga Branch of the Women’s Division), and Miss Bartlett (Nurses’ Association). Apologies were received from Mrs McKenna (Women’s Division), Mrs F. N. Christian (W.C.T.U.), and Mrs Rowsell (Women’s Institute). A letter was read from Mrs Barraclough intimating that she found it necessary to resign through illhealth, and Mrs Mackey had been appointed in her stead. Regret was expressed, and Mrs Mackey welcomed to the Committee. Minutes The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the Secretary, Mrs R. Faulkner, and confirmed Youth Movement. A letter and several circulars, from the organiser of the Youth Movement in Aucklana were read. General discussion followed. Mrs Faulkner said that there were already a number of youth movements in Tauranga and the young people were well catered for. Mrs Cannell supported this contention. ' Mrs Polley said she thought the idea was that representatives from each youth organisation were to be a central body. All the Church movements in the city were willing to have such a plan, and it seemed to work satisfactoi’ily. Mrs Cannell did not think this would be feasible in Tauranga. Miss Bartlett said the circular letter called for “live wires’* among the young people to head the suggested organisation. This would present a very difficult problem, as undoubtedly it would fall on the adults to start and foster the movement Finally on the motion of Mrs Flower, seconded by Mrs Polley, it was unanimously decided that the formation of a local branch of the Youth Movement be deferred in the meantime. Women’s Auxiliary Committee Mrs Faulkner brought forward the matter of forming a local Women’s Auxiliary Committee. ‘ In these days of uncertainty, the forming of such a committee was of vital importance. Mrs Faulkner then read a questionnaire which had been issued in Auckland to all women, by which it was hoped to find out exactly what help wtmld be forthcoming in any emergency. Mr Wilkinson had offered to have a similar questionnaire printed and circulated by the Borough Council staff. Miss Bartlett stressed the urgency of immediate steps being taken, and Mrs Hickey gave some personal views which she had received from Scotland, also emphasising the necessity of being prepared. Mrs Mackey thought it would be a good idea to divide the town into four, arid have the questionnaire distributed personally. Mrs Wilkinson suggested issuing them to the different women’s organisations with a special request to each president to stress to members the urgency of the matter. Also that a public meeting of tvomen be called.

This was strongly supported, and on the suggestion of Mrs Flower it was decided to ask Mr F. M. B. Fisher to address the meeting. After discussion it was decided to invite also Mrs G. F. Glacken, who had served as a nurse in France during the War, and Dr Frazer Hurst, who also had had considerable war service. ■’ > ■-• r It was decided to advertise the meeting-which would be held in a month’s time, and meanwhile to endeavour to make known to all women the urgent necessity for their cooperation. The assistance of exnurses would be’ of special value. 1 Thisjconcluded the business of the meeting which closed with a vote of thanks to the' chair, •