WOMEN’S MISSIONARY UNION

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25328, 30 October 1947, Page 8

WOMEN’S MISSIONARY UNION

0 PRESBYTERIAN CONFERENCE OPENS Indications of progress in all sections of the work of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union were contained in the > address given yesterday by the Dominion president (Mrs T. A. Mac Gibbon) during the first sessions of the union’s Dominion conference which is at present being held in Christchurch. “Each report shows an increase both in membership and financial returns. The Dominion executive secretary (Miss K. Evans) reports an increase in membership of 131, bringing the total membership to 11,423. Six new branches have been formed and there has been a financial increase of £lBB6, the total sum given by branches amounting to £22,585,” Mrs Mac Gibbon said. “Last year when it was suggested that the stamp secretary’s returns might reach the £ 1000 mark it was felt that this was too good to be true; but the final reurns stand at £1023, an increase of £4OO on the previous returns,” the president added. Thanksgiving Fund The Fortieth Anniversary Thanksgiving Fund now stood at £ 1572, and of this amount £l5O had been set aside for a bursary student to study for three years at the Presbyterian Women’s Training Institute.

At former conferences mention had been made of a point which she felt needed emphasis equally to-day, Mrs Mac Gibbon continued. This was that many sums of money were sent from union branches to other than missionary causes and to other missions than that which the union existed to P ei P-, While many persons would like to help all agencies in missionary work, this should be done by those willing, as private individuals. It was the plain duty of the union to provide first of all for the men and women sent out by its own church. Mrs Mac Gibbon paid tribute to the representatives of the Presbyterian Association. and special secretaries on the executive committee during the last three years. “With few exceptions the personnel has remained the same, thus ensuring continuity of work and interest,” she said.