NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24278, 8 June 1944, Page 2

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

IMPORTANT REMITS • Mrs C. W. Barrell presided over a gpod attendance of -delegates .and associate members of the monthly meeting of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women. Several societies reported that they had written to the Minister of Housing asking that material and manpower be made available now to build homes so that returned men could take advantage of the rehabilitation loans. It was agreed to sepd the following remit to societies for consideration: “That in State housing schemes the need in rural areas be met as well as in towns." It was reported that a definite need existed in many rural areas for one or two houses which could be made available for casual labourers. It was decided to ask the Dominion executive to consider the following remit: “That the Government be urged to institute training courses especially in, child psychology for all social service workers including staffs of reformatories and kindred institutions and all appointees to child welfare positions.” Mrs Aitcheson was added to the education committee, Mrs Fairclough to the food and commodities committee, and Mrs Hills and Mrs E. Friedlander to the housing and pensions committee. An address was.given by Mr A. J. McEldowney on “The Training of Social Workers." He described a conference he had attended in Wellington last year to discuss the subject. He explained the need for more trained workers, the pitfalls before the untrained, and the proposals for training. The keen interest of members was shown by the number of questions asked the speaker, and the president thanked him for information he had given the council. Reference was made during the meeting to the forthcoming visits of Dr. Edith SumnierskiH. M.P., and Mrs Arthur Grenfell, former president of the British Y.W.C.A. URGENT APPEAL Mrs E. R. Batchelor. Dominion secretary of the Plpnket Society, has issued the following appeal to mothers who are employing Karitane nurses:— “Branches of the Plunket Society report long waiting lists of mothers requiring Karitane nurses’ services—in one branch there are 50 mothers on the list. “The executive of the council therefore asks that mothers retain the services of Karitane . nurses only as long as urgently necessary. "It is considered that two or four weeks is a reasonable time for a Karitane nurse to be employed in one home unless the mother is ill. Even allowing one month in each home, a mother who retains a Karitane nurse for long periods—say, a year—deprives 10 other mothers of her services allowing for the very necessary holiday leave of one month a year for the nurse. “In these days of war it is more important than ever that Karitane nurses’ services be rationed in the interests of mother and child.” PLUNKET SOCIETY LINWOOD-AVONSIDE SUBBRANCH No girl in glamorous uniform could ever be so important to the nation as the mother, said Mrs Cecil Wood, at the annual meeting of the Linwood-Avonside sub-branch of the Plunket Society. Mrs Wood spoke briefly on the work of the society and emphasised the point that members of the Plunket Society should work hard to restore the mother to her rightful-place in the home and in society. Nurse D. M. Lyon’s report for-the year was as follows:—Seen at the room at St. Chad’s, 1615 mothers and 1637 babies; new babies in the district, 143: visits t6 homes, 540. . _ ~ The election of officers aid committee resulted as follow* president, Mrs J. E. K. Brown; vice-presidents. Mrs Beveridge Davis and Mrs R. A. Stacey; treasurer, Mrs H. Ayers: secretary. Mrs F. J. Ashworth: committee, Mesdames Hx J. Flemirig. A. E. B. Turner, P. C. Browne, S. L. Hall, F. G. Rhodes. M, H. HArdie, E.'P. Mowatt. and Miss B. Skipworth. FOOD VALUE LEAGUE Members of the . New Zealand Women’s Food Value League at the last monthly meeting heard the first of a series of talks entitled “A Kitchen Course in Nutrition ’’ presented by Mrs Dorothy Johnston, B.HSSc. The kitchen course, which was an American one, includes the latest findings in the field of nutrition, and has been designed to help home-makers to solve special war-time food problems and to promote greater efficiency in feeding the family for buoyant, positive health. It is recognised that the housewife’s greatest contribution to the war effort is the practice of sound nutrition principles, and the consequent raising of the health standard.

The kitchen course Includes practical information on planning, cooking, and serving of everyday meals, with balanced menus and recipes, and notes on marketing. The Food Value League plans to adapt this information to New Zealand conditions and to present it, with recipe sheets, at monthly meetings, to which all members and friends are invited. Mrs Johnston said that the course should serve equally well as an introduction to those who are new to the subject and as a refresher course for more advanced housewives.