Aim To Educate City Women

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31499, 13 October 1967, Page 2

Aim To Educate City Women

Townswomen’s Guilds aim to educate city women while bringing them together in a spirit of friendship free from religious, political, or racial discrimination. Membership in New Zealand numbers 6000 and the movement is led by Mrs C. G. Crawford, of Christchurch.

Formed in New Zealand in 1932 by the late Miss Jerome Spencer, who felt women in Napier needed something to bring them together after the earthquake, the organisation continues to grow. Guilds are being formed in new suburban areas and attracting active young women. "The new Bishopdale guild is one of our most active, and the young members took a very lively interest in our remits for the Gisborne conference last month,” said Mrs C. G. Crawford, who was elected Dominion president at the conference. A Townswoman for 17 years and president of the Christchurch Central guild for the last five, Mrs Crawford can testify to the “wonderful friendships” made among members. The first Christchurch guild was formed in 1938 in the same year as the Dominion federation. Eight years later the second guild was formed: the city now has 22 guilds. Members are encouraged to develop their knowledge and talents and the many circles provide for this. They cover gardening, singing, drama, and civics (which includes discussions on current

events), travel talks, and visits to factories and places of interest within the city.

Much time and interest is devoted to welfare work. Most guilds sponsor patients at the Sunnyside and Templeton Hospitals and all are affiliated with several welfare organisations which constantly request and receive help from members.

The federation has two-year projects in which all guilds participate In raising money for the one cause. The last project raised $4121 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. For the last two years they have made a special effort to obtain money to buy milk powder to send to India and this year raised $3OO.

While she is in office Mrs Crawford hopes to expand the organisation “down south.” At present there are three guilds in Timaru and only one in Dunedin.

“I’m sure It can be done, it’s just a matter of making the contacts,” she said.