C.W.I. Federation Now 25

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30365, 14 February 1964, Page 2

C.W.I. Federation Now 25

The North Canterbury Federation of Country Women’s Institutes will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary in Christchurch on Tuesday.

The . day’s programme will include a luncheon, a mannequin parade and musical items during the afternoon, to be held at the Winter Garden. The federation now has 23 active institutes and about 900 members. The institute movement was introduced in New Zealand in 1921, with the aim of bringing isolated country women together to meet once a month to discuss matters of interest.

As institutes sprang up throughout Canterbury it became necessary to form- a coordinating body, and in 1930 the Canterbury Federation of C.W.I. was formed to draw together these . scattered groups and to advise them. Within a few years so many institutes had been formed in the area it was decided to alter the boundaries and in

1938 the North Canterbury Federation was founded. This federation now extends from Kainga to Parnassus, from the east coast to the hills, with 23 active institutes and about 900 members. Because the country woman is n<o longer as isolated as she was, the institute movement has changed its purpose to some degree and has extended its activities. Demonstrations and lectures are held at- meetings, courses and schools are arranged to cover a wide variety of subjects. Drama and choral

work have an important part in the programme; experts give lectures on international, economic and scientific topics. The good will promoted between country neighbours has now been extended to other countries, in the exchange or cultural ideas and handicrafts through the national federation of C.W.I. and sister organisations throughout the world.