COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25391, 14 January 1948, Page 2

COUNCIL OF WOMEN

NEWS FOR WOMEN

YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED During 1947, the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women concerned itself with many important matters relating to the welfare of women and showed, at each monthly meeting, that it was fulfilling the function of the National Council, which is a non-political, non-sectarian body, a co-ordinating women’s council, to which the affiliated bodies bring their problems for discussion and solution. The. number of groups affiliated to the Christchurch branch increased by six during the last 12 months and in the same period the attendances at meetings of the associate group increased from about 12 to 50. Members of this group do not represent any organisation. The group comprises a cross-section of the community interested in the work of the council and in the problems of women. To facilitate the transaction of business at meetings of the branch, all business to be dealt with is first submitted to the executive which arranges the agenda. Copies of the agenda are sent to all members some days before the meeting. This procedure has proved most satisfactory, as members nave time to think over the matters to be discussed and come to meetings prepared to give considered opinions on matters particularly concerning them or the organisation which they represent. At the request of the Dominion president of the National Council (Mrs Beaumont Bates) sub-committees have been set up to study the reports of the International Council of Women. One of these sub-committees prepared and submitted a report on the staffing and administration of maternity hospitals and this report, with a few minor amendments, has been presented to the Dominion executive and may ultimately go forward to the International Council. The associates’ group has made an intensive study or housing and will submit a report for the consideration of the branch. A very useful group working within the structure of the branch is the mental welfare trust committee, which administers a small grant made to it by the Government. In addition, its members visit the mental hospital, distribute small comforts, and sometimes take patients for outings. Valuable work is done by the Friends of the Hospital Association, a group sponsored by the Christchurch branch, and now an affiliated body. Members undertake sewing and domestic work at the Christchurch Hospital and help with the staffing of Burwood Hospital. So important have its activities become, that it now receives a Government grant towards the maintenance of its work. The National Council has representation on United Nations, the Food for Britain Committee, the Save the Children Fund Committee, and on the New Settlers’ Committee.

Members are now beginning to make arrangements for the Women’s Peace Rally, to be held in Christchurch on April 7. The first gathering of this kind was held in Christchurch last March and was attended by 2000 persons. who were addressed by 32 women speakers. Because of the interest aroused by this rally, the executive has already received offers from women overseas, who are willing to come to the Dominion to address this year’s rally.