For WOMEN

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24371, 25 September 1944, Page 2

For WOMEN

CURRENT NOTES

Mrs M. J. Forde, J.P., president of the Wellington branch of the National Council of Women, arrived in Christchurch from Wellington on Saturday. She will spend about three weeks in the South Island. The death occurred at the Northern Wairoa Hospital, Dargaville, recently, of Mrs Don Williams. She was, a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs F. Thorpe, early pioneers of Woodstock, Westland, in the gold rush days, and had been a resident of Northern Wairoa for the last 28 years. A marriage of New Zealand interest took place at the Dutch Reformed Church, Klerksdorp, Transvaal, South Africa, when Captain David Horn, 2nd N.Z.E.F., son of Mr and Mrs John Horn, of Manukau, was married to Miss Marie Jacobs, daughter of Mr and Mrs Salmon Jacobs, of Goedgenoeg, South Africa. . Aproximately 700 servicemen were entertained at the Welcome Club during the week-end. On Saturday the Townswomen’s Guild provided and served afternoon tea, tea, and supper. On Sunday, afternoon tea, tea, and supper were supplied by an anonymous supporter of the Welcome Club. The Sunday evening concert programme was provided by Skipper’s band, conducted by Mr H. L. Oakes. The lady editor of “The Press’’ gratefully acknowledges receipt of a chess-board and chessmen from the women’s branch of the Patriotic Society in Greymouth for the use of hospital or sanatorium patients; also a pair of. mittens for the Merchant Navy from an anonymous friend. At a meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association concern was expressed at recent manpower direction of Palmerston North girls to industries in Wellington, particularly to a tobacco factory. It was alleged that a representative of the tobacco firm had been present when girls were interviewed, and it was decided to send a strong protest to the Wellington association. It was contended that if *authority had been granted to set up a local manpower utilisation committee for the clothing industry as requested by the branch, the recent direction would not have taken place to the detriment of local industries. “There must be a new approach altogether to this subject,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in the House of Representatives last week after several members had referred to the difficulty in securing domestic help in the home. They approved the efforts of the National Service Department in this direction. Mr Fraser said the day when girls could be worked all sorts of hours had gone, and there was no reason why any woman able to do her own domestic work should look to anyone else, because this work was more important than unnecessary bridge playing. There was a serious need for help for the mother who was ill or who had children to look after. What was really wanted was a higher status for the domestic worker, with special instruction in domestic science and a proper basis of hours andv remuneration. The matter had been taken up by the Minister of Health and would have progressed but for the war. The Minister was working in association with the National Service Department and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. Neva Carr-Glyn, Bettina Welch, Ruth Montgomerie, June Mendoza, and Diana Craig—five leading players of J. C. Williamson’s Comedy. Company—will be the lovely mannequins to wear spectacular New Zealand-made fashions in the Mannequin Parade being held in D.l.C.’s Tearoom next month. Another feature of the parade is that Lily Moore, also a well-known artist from the Comedy Company, will compere its presentation. Proceeds from this grand event will aid the R.S.A. Sick and Wounded Fund. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, October 9th, 10th, and 12th, are the dates of the Mannequin Parade, and booking for tables and seats opens at D.l.C.’s Theatre Booking Office on Wednesday next at 9.30 a.m. From the many inquiries already received it is evident that early booking will be essential. —1 ENGAGEMENT The engagement is announced between Mary, second daughter of Mrs M. E. Bonifant, and the late Mr J. Bonifant, “Avoca," Ashburton, to Stewart David, third son of Mr and Mrs A. F. Muir, Timaru. PILGRIMS’ PARTY Many interesting pictures of early Canterbury were screened at the quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’' Association, held at the Caledonian Hall on Saturday afternoon. The president, Mr E. R. Webb, welcomed members and their friends, and expressed pleasure at the size of the gathering and at the presence of the Mayor, Mr E. H. Andrews, and the Mayoress, Miss E. Couzins. Among the pictures shown were several of Lyttelton, one of Ferrymead railway station, and of the first railway station in Christchurch, one .of the hustings on the day of the first election for a superintendent of the province, and one of a football match in Cranmer square. Much amusement was caused by the screening of several cartoons published in Lyttelton “Punch,” which, Mr Webb said, had been published for only about one year. A short programme, arranged by Mr W. J. Brandon, included orchestral items played by Mesdames M. McNair, V. Moffett, and Adorian, songs sung by Mrs Siebel, recitations given by Miss Rena McGough, and a talk by Mr Jack Maybury. Mr Webb thanked Mr Schaare for screening the films and_ appealed to members to obtain the histories of the early families, especially of those that arrived in the First Four Ships, and to hand them to the historical committee of the association. Tea was served by the women’s committee.