NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21034, 9 December 1933, Page 2

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

C(IRISTCHIKcn HRAN< It The president (Mrs G. W. Roberts; presided at the monthly meeting of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, at which delegates from the following societies were present: —Canterbury Mothers' Union, Women Teachers' Association, Good Neighbours, Women's Christian Temperance Union, Keci Cross, canterbury vVomen's Club, Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, Young Women's Christian Association, Trained Nurses, Women's branch of the Christchurch Citizens' Association, Society for the Protection of Women and Children, Home Economies, Methodist Ladies' Deaconesses Committee, and several associate members. Miss M. Trent, in making her report as the council's representative on the Women's Unemployment Committee, said that the advisory committee set up by the Minister for Employment had visited Christchurch. As far, however, as the chairman of this committee was concerned, it proved to be not an advisory, but a condemnatory visit. Before she had visited the centres she hpd criticised the work being done, told exactly what was wrong according to her opinion. She gave instructions as to what should be done, and these were entirely opposite to those previously received by the committee from the Minister for Employment and the commissioner. So bitterly was this resented that five out of seven present at the meeting sent a letter to the Minister (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) protesting against such treatment, and pointing out that the members of the committee had given unlimited time and had not in any way spared themselves in their endeavour to help the Unemployment Board in its work on behalf of unemployed women and girls. The Minister, in reply, regretted that any unpleasantness had arisen, and hoped that what transpired would not adversely influence the work on behalf of unemployed women and girls. The branch endorsed the action of their delegate in writing to the Minister. Mrs J. Richards and her committee were thanked for organising the reception to Mrs E. R. McCombs, M.P., which, owing to their work, was a great success. Mrs Richards suggested that the surplus money should be handed to the Women's Unemployment committee to be used for extras for the Christmas parcels. This suggestion was unanimously approved. Final arrangements were made for the next conference to be held in Christchurch from April 18 to April 25, 1934, inclusive. Mr J. Strachan and Mr J. L. Hay then addressed the meeting on "Some Aspects of National Reconstruction." Many questions were asked and answered, and votes of thanks to the speakers were' carried by acclamation.

MUCH WORK DONE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY OF RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT OP ACTIVITIES At a meeting called by the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan) early in June, representatives of all the women .s societies in Christchurch were asked to form themselves into a Women s Auxiliary to the Business Men's Committee set up to relieve the distress caused through unemployment m the city. It was decided that the auxiliary s chief activities would be the providing of clothing for distribution to the many needy in Christchurch. Miss M. G. Havelaar was elected chairwoman, and Miss B. u1 honorary secretary, and a committee was formed of representatives of the various women's organisations. The very first question which arose » suitable ,oc™sen™ as depot and workroom. Through tne generosity of Messn Maling and Company, this problem was solved and several rooms at their premis ~ Oxford terrace, were put at the disposal of the auxiliary. An ofiicetwo workrooms, and a sorting room weie in constant use, and it was in th e&e rooms that the real w<"' k of the auxiliary was done, Particularly in t e sewing room, for without the daily attendance of the workers of that room only a very small proportion of the garments would have been leady to supply the depots. At the initial meeting of the committee, Mrs McCully offered to cut out garments twice a week, but she altered her "twice a week" to a daily sutericlance, and with Mesdames A. E. Smith, C. A. Hawker, Armstrong, A. L Alexander, and Thompson, who attended daily, and other helpers who assisted on two days a week, garments were quickly made and renovated. Mrs J. D. Hall, representing the Women's Division of the Farmers' Unjoin offered to make "some woollen quilts. She and her helpers in the rooms made 100 quilts. Mrs Maitland Rich, Mrs Cecil Wynn-Williams, Mrs Charles Reid, and Mrs Westenra assisted Mrs Hall from the beginning and attended the rooms morning after morning, and valuable help was also given by Misses Boyle, Cotterill, N. Guthrie, and H. Williams. The quilts have been given chiefly to the sick and to old people, and only those who have had the pleasure of distributing them know of the joy and comfort the bed covers have brought into many a, home. Mrs Bingham Puddey devoted three days a week to the office work, and with a voluntary office staff assisted the chairwoman and secretary in a very valuable way. Special Casat;. One of the branches of work that the Business Men's Committee asked the auxiliary to undertake was the investigating of special cases brought to their notice. Miss Nancy Foley, and later Sister Jones, undertook* this work. Offers of Assistance. Numerous offers of help came from associations and private individuals both in town and country, and splendid work was done by many. Mr Kennedy, manager of the Riccarton Manufacturing Company, said that his staff had offered to return to the factory every Wednesday evening and sew, and as a result 383 garments were made for the auxiliary. During the winter months various ladies worked untiringly at home and brought their garments to the office of the auxiliary. The Women's Institutes and Women's Division of the Farmers' Union in many country districts had also stood by the auxiliary. The Plunket Society had offered their members' help and large quantities of babies' clothing were handed in for distribution to the Mayoress's special department of relief work among expectant mothers. The Young Women's Christian Association assisted with knitting. Schools, both public and private, in Christchurch and in tha country districts, rallied to the auxiliary's aid and sent most valuable contributions. The girl guides worked throughout the winter making garments, and contributions of baby garments were received from time to time from the 3YA family. Postmen's Drive. One of the outstanding events of the winter's activities was, undoubtedly, the postmen's drive. A total of 11,840 garments was received in the auxiliary's rooms alone, and it took helpers several days to cope with the task of sorting, counting, and tabulating the goods. Distribution of Garments. From the onset of the work, it was decided that the garments provided through the auxiliary's agency would be sent to the Metropolitan Relief Depot for distribution to all other depots, and that special cases recommended by the Business Men's Committee would be the auxiliary's care. It was also resolved that all babies clothes, received or made, should be sent direct to the Mayoress for distribution to mothers. During the stay of their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe in Christchurch they visited the work-rooms and, showed the keenest interest in all the various parts of the work done there. They were accompanied by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs D. G. Sullivan).

New and worn garments given to the auxiliary from June 19 to October 31 totalled 4224. Work completed and garments made from materials supplied by the auxiliary totalled 3552, and the total number of articles sent for distribution to depots and special cases, in addition to contributions from the postmen's drive, was 7776. During Grand National Week the sum of £SO was realised from the citizens' ball, organised by Mrs J. G. L. Vernon and Mr H. G. Livingstone and the ball committee, and this amount was handed to the Business Men's Committee to be spent on materials for the auxiliary. Throughout the whole of the auxiliary's activities, Miss B. Nurse gave untiring service day after day as secretax-y, and Miss L. M. Wilkinson and helpers kept the books and a detailed and complete account of garments made and given. The report would be incomplete without special mention of the untiring 'and efficient work of the chairwoman, Miss M. G. Havelaar, who devoted the whole of her time during the five months directing activities,

collecting clothing, supervising accounts, discussing the best methods of assisting the Business Men's Committee, attending to special cases, anc reporting at the meetings held fortnightly. That the auxiliary's effort.' for the relief of distress have beer so successful was in great part due tc her organising ability and understanding nature. VISITORS TO CHRISTCHURCH United Service Hotel: Mr and Itrs H. G. C'opeland, Mr and Mis Nossiter (Sydney), Mr and Mrs K. A. Dana (Boston). New City Hotel: Mr and Mrs M. A. Toomey and Mi 33 J. Lux (Wellington). Fur Renovation.—Your Fur Coat car be remodelled and made to appeal equal to new. Our expert furrier; can execute at shortest notice any repair work, etc., giving you the assurance of finest workmanship with infinite attention to detail. J. Mac Gibbon Fur Specialist, 154 Armagh street 'Phone 34-026. —1