WOMEN'S DIVISION OF FARMERS' UNION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21759, 16 April 1936, Page 2

WOMEN'S DIVISION OF FARMERS' UNION

NORTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE There was a large attendance of delegates at a meeting of the North Canterbury provincial executive of the Women's Division of the Farmers Union held yesterday afternoon. Mrs H. A. Nutt (provincial president) preS A motion of sympathy was passed with Miss F. L. Cooper (provincial secretary) in the death of her mother, delegates standing in silence. Mrs Nutt welcomed Mrs C. K. Wilson Dominion president of the Women's Division of the Farmers Union. Miss Poison, of Stratford, and Mrs J. Cracroft Wilson, president of the Plunket Society. Mrs Nutt complimented Mrs C. K. Wilson on her being the first Dominion president to fly to a Dominion meeting. She added that Mrs Wilson had set a very high standard for Dominion presidents of the u»Hk>n. , Mrs Wilson gave an interesting ana informal talk of the activities of the Women's Division, stressing particularly the housekeeper scherne, whicn, she said, had been a power for food throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. The opinion was expressed that something should be done to attract the right of woman and that she should be well paid and encouraged in her work in every way. Mrs Wilson made many helDful suggestions regarding the branches, and later answered a number of questions-asked by delegates. Miss Poison also spoke on the housekeeper scheme. , Mrs Marks (Marshland) proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Wilson This was carried by acclamation, ana later afternoon tea was served.

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

ANNUAL MEETING Mrs William Deans presided at the annual meeting of the North Canterbury Federation of Women's Institutes, held yesterday at the Provincial Council buildings, Durham street. Delegates from 40 institutes were present, and were welcomed by Mrs' Deans.

The annual report, reviewing the year's work, and the balance-sheet, showing a credit balance of £33 13s ]od, were adopted. The report showed that a new institute had been formed at Mairehau, and a group, comprising Scargill, Omihi, and Waipara, had been formed, and was called the Omihi group. The Leeston night circle had been reformed. Members of institutes had attended lectures given by the Association for Country Education, and had particularly appreciated the drama and dressmaking classes and had found the library hampers a great boon. Mrs A. Morten had been appointed the executive's delegate to the British Drama League, Mrs W. Deans the institute's representative on the committee of the National Council of Women, and Mrs Ross Macdonald the representative on the committee of the Crippled Children's. Society.* It was announced that the Fair lie hospitality scheme would soon be taken up by the Akaroa institute on Banks Peninsula.

The following resolution was carried:—"That contributions be made from the federation funds towards a fund for sending the Dominion president to represent the New Zealand institutes at the Associated Women of the World Conference, to be held next June in Washington, and also towards the expenses of Mrs Watt's visit to New Zealand next spring." The remit, "That owing to the growth.of the institutes, that there be two federations instead of the North Canterbury Federation," was not carried. j Election of Officers The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mrs B. L. Blunden; vice-presidents, Mrs J. W. Macleod (Loburn), Miss E. Jacobson (Akaroa); honorary secretary, Mrs R. A. Fougere; honorary treasurer, Miss D. Warren; committee, Mrs Ross Macdonald, Mrs Arthur Morten, Mrs H. Nelson Wright. Mrs Mead (Ohoka) was appointed press correspondent to "Home and Country," and Mrs B. L. Blunden was appointed delegate to the annual meeting of the Home Service Association.

Mrs Blunden, on behalf of the federation, presented small gifts to Mrs Deans, retiring president, and Mrs Macdonald, retiring secretary. An interesting account of his travels in Russia, given by Mr lan Donnelly, was greatly enjoyed. The following were the winners of prizes in the art union, recently conducted:—Miss T. D. Crossen (Brookside), Miss L. Cooper (Gore Bay), Miss O. M. Clist (Kaiapoi), Miss M. •Barker (Loburn), Mrs Church (Little River), Miss Duncan (Te Pirita), Mrs Coffey (Kirwee), Miss Mary Mackle (Kaikoura). ' '- ..