Country Women Begin Three-Day Conference

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27407, 21 July 1954, Page 2

Country Women Begin Three-Day Conference

WEWS FOR WOMEN

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 20. Banners of the 996 country women's institutes throughout New Zealand decorated the Town Hall today for the opening of the three-day biennial conference of the Dominion Federation of Country Women’s Institutes. Delegates filled the floor of the Town Hall and in the gallery were observers and other women. Most of the 28 remits before the conference are concerned with domestic affairs of the federation. Others deal with enforcement of the wrapping of bread, the establishment of a chiropractic board, and the revision of the laws governing punishment for men convicted of sexual offences against children. Another remit seeka the re-issue of stamped airmail letter forms, and another urges that all places of entertainment should be sprayed with formalin during or between shows. Speech by Lady Norrie Women’s Institutes—now a great international organisation—should extend the Land of friendship to women of all countries and so work to preserve the peace, the patron (Lady Norrie) said in opening the conference. Work for peace should now be encompassed in the main purpose of the institutes—-to develop and improve conditions of rural life. Lady Norrie was warmly welcomed by delegates as she rose to speak of hex own experience of farm life in the north of Scotland and Gloucestershire, and as patron of the Country Women’s Association in South Australia from 1944 to 1932. Problems of the associations of Australia, she said, were similar to those encountered in New Zealand, although some Australian wives lived on isolated farms and did not meet other women for months. In many towns of South Australia the association had built its own rest rooms through the efforts of members. Last Christmas and New Year would always remain in the memory of New Zealand women, with the occasion of the Royal visit, said Lady Norrie. Her Majesty had taken the greatest interest in the women’s institutes and had been happy to meet members wearing their badges. Lady Norrie congratulated members on the floral tributes to the Queen on her departure in the Gothic from Bluff. Other speakers were the Minister of Agriculture (Mr K. J. Holyoake), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash), and the president (Mrs E. S. M. McNaughton). Ann ya I Report Membership of the Dominion federation of institutes stood at 36,500, said

the annual report of the Dominion executive. An interesting development and expansion of work was the forming of three branches in Rarotonga this year. Mrs E. S. M. McNaughton, the Dominion president, visited Rarotonga to form them. The housekeeping scheme was still functioning in a few federations, but was handicapped by lack of housekeepers, said the report. Women from overseas who would be suitable as housekeepers continued to go to pre-arranged employment or did not wish to work in the country. A start had been made in collecting and compiling information and data connected with the early days of the movement in New Zealand, the report said. The last year had been an important one in international work, and the federation had been represented at the triennial conference of the Associated Country Women of the World in Toronto, said the report. Branches in New Zealand continued to support the “pennies for friendship” for the A.C.W.W. This year’s contribution was £224 8s lOd. Collections of pennies from all over the world, amounting to several thousands of pounds, comprised the sole income of the A.C.W.W. Members were taking keen interest in classes in handcrafts held throughout the Dominion, especially those in dressmaking, millinery, floral art and cake icing, said the report. The movement continued to take an interest in new settlers’ welfare. Many had given talks and demonstrations at institute meetings, thus creating a reciprocal bond between Europe’s traditions and the modern progress of the new world. Once again institutes had played a splendid part in community life, the report said. They participated in aiding various country events and provided entertainment, outings and teas for the aged and lonely of their districts. Appeals for assistance to worthy causes were never unheeded. Members were serving on borough councils, hospital boards, chambers of commerce, parks committees, beautifying societies, film clubs, swimming centres, child welfare, school committees and parent-teacher associations, and as Justices of the Peace, said the report. In one federation a member was repsonsible for raising £960 in three weeks for the purchase of an iron lung, an electric cariograph, a baby incubator, and a nasal sinus Xray accessory. The equipment was needed for the hospital in the member’s district.