MOTHERS’ UNION REPORT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28952, 21 July 1959, Page 2

MOTHERS’ UNION REPORT

Leaders’ Support Needed Mothers’ Union members should do their part in faithfully maintaining their branches as earlier generations had done their part in founding them, said Mrs A. K. Warren, president of the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Christchurch, in her foreword to the annual report. “As our branches and groups increase there are inevitably more calls on speakers and leaders and in this we must not fail,” said Mrs Warren. The able leadership of Mrs W. W. Averill and the assistance of the secretary (Mrs J. F. Robilliard) were commended by Mrs Warren, who had been away from the Diocese for much of the year. There are now 88 branches of the union with a membership of 3165 and 61 Young Wives’ Groups with a membership of 2275, according to the report. The increased membership in the union is partly due to the good work of the young wives under the leadership of Mrs R P. Plaistowe, said Mrs Warren New ventures in the year's activities included talks to senior secondary pupils on “Preparation for Marriage.” which were successful enough to warrant repetition. The Diocese also supports the Dominion Mothers’ Union proposal to publish a magazine for New Zealand members. Young Wives* Areas All Young Wives’ Groups in Christchurch are now divided into four areas under the supervision of four leaders. Members of the groups took part in a speakers’ training course which proved useful and might enable an extension of group activities. Diocesan programmes of Young Wives’ Groups throughout New Zealand will be shared in future, after a decision of the first Dominion meeting of Young Wives’ Groups. Sales of books at meetings have reached £235 in spite of restrictions. There are 84 libraries among the union branches and gro’ios with some libraries participating in an exchange scheme.

Seven hundred special Christmas cards were sold in an experimental enterprise. Another experiment was the publication of a pamphlet entitled “Our Teenagers.” In five months 80 per cent, of these were sold Union branches have estab'ished eight new overseas links during the year. Letters received from those engaged in similar work in England and Canada were of great interest to members and help to broaden members’ sympathies, said the link secretary (Mrs F Lane). The annual report will be presented at the annual meeting tomorrow when the guest sneaker will be the Rev. Kenneth Schollar, R.N.Z.A.F. chaplain at Wigram.