Topics Reviewed By N.C.W. Branch

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 2

Topics Reviewed By N.C.W. Branch

The labelling of poisons, the suitability of jandals for children and the provision of toilet facilities at the Social Security Department and for small boys at rest rooms controlled by the City Council, had been ambng the subjects discussed during the year by the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, the president (Mrs W. Grant) advised in the annual report.

Concern had been expressed over a “Point of View” radio session in which young Maoris had given their opinion on life in the city as compared with the country. A report on hire purchase had been prepared for the council by the Soroptomist Club. “The housing sub-commit-tee has kept under review several of the projects already discussed in the past such as smoke pollution, housing of the aged, and playing areas. In order to follow up the work already done in relation to pensioners’ cottages, it has brought forward a remit: “That a more realistic subsidy be granted by the Government to local bodies to enable them to maintain, or increase, the present rate of building of pensioners’ cottages to ensure that the present rents will not be increased,” said the . convener (Mrs P. Giddens) in her report. “Large Project” “The housing sub-commit-tee is also anxious to start on a very large project, that of seeing what can be done by the National Council of Women in the housing reclamation scheme in decayed housing areas,” she said. A series of lectures entitled “New Approaches to the Study and Treatment of Crime,” had been attended by members of the just sub-com-

niittee, who had reported to a meeting of the national council. “The television sub-com-mittee has prepared recommendations reiterating the need for women concerned with the welfare of young children to have a voice in the selection, censorship and control of television programmes,” said the convener (Mrs P. Dalmer), in her report “In the course of the year’s study of the effects of television in other countries, some ill-founded forebodings were dispelled, and others, more soundly based, were reinforced. Members emerge confirmed in the conviction that if a television set is to be of real value in a New Zealand home and not a mere status symbol, programmes must be selected and timed with care and parents must know how to choose and use them in the interests of their family,” she said.