AMALGAMATION MOVE LOST

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32848, 23 February 1972, Page 6

AMALGAMATION MOVE LOST

A remit moving the amalgamation of the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers and the Country Women’s Institute and the forming of the Associated Country Women of New Zealand, was narrowly lost at the interprovincial conference of the W.D.F.F. in Rangiora yesterday.

Presented by the MidCanterbury W.D.F.F. Provincial, the remit requested that the Dominion council of the W.D.F.F. approach the C.W.I. with the view to amalgamation. Several delegates abstained from voting. Presenting the remit, Mrs Daphne Richards said there were two major points in favour of amalgamation. The first was unity. "Amalgamation would strengthen the voice of all countrywomen in New Zealand on matters of national importance. Both organisations struggle to be heard, and have the same aims and objects.”

Finance was the second factor, said Mrs Richards. The financial burden on both groups would be lessened by the establishment of one provincial body, one headquarters, one conference, and one representative to the Associated Country Women of the World conference. “Even the cost of sending one delegate to a national conference is a burden to some branches,” she said. Sacrifices A Hurunui delegate, speaking in favour of the remit, said both groups would have to make sacrifices if amalgamation came about. The division would have to give up its direct affiliation with Federated Farmers, and the institute and its affiliations with the Women’s Institute in England. These, however, would be small sacrifices to make.

The Canterbury North provincial president (Mrs A. M. Winter) said the division would have to share its assets, such as its rest homes, and asked whether the institute had assets enough to balance.

Several speakers against the remit said they felt both organisations had their different identities and that they, themselves, had chosen to be W.D.F.F. and were proud of their organisation. Another speaker support-

ing the remit said that the' division was in danger of los-1 ing entire membership in I small centres, where both or-1 ganisations existed. “Amalgamation would, gather more members in cases like this, and we would speak with a far stronger voice. We are not expecting overnight change, but want to set the wheels in motion for members in the future. Our strength lies in unity,” she said.

The two organisations already work together at provincial and national level through co-ordinating committees.

Remits carried by the conference for presentation at the division’s national conference in Wellington in June, included: That the Minister of Health be approached, strongly urging him to tighten up the existing law for the use and administration of drugs in all nursing homes for the aged.

That the Minister of the Environment be asked to expedite all possible measures to prevent pollution of all New Zealand waters. That immediate and positive action be taken regarding the medical crisis which exists in our rural areas. (This remit was referred to the organisation’s special medical sub-committee.) That this branch view with distaste a poster exhibited in both Japan and New Zealand advertising New Zealand lamb and request that the Meat Board hasten to design an insignia which could be used world-wide to make known the high quality of its product.

That the manufacturers of washing and cleansing agents (detergents, bleaches, polishes and antiseptics) be compelled to display on cartons or containers the major components therein and emergency treatment in case of accidental swallowing of same. That the Government be asked to consider raising the minimum age for a child to take sole charge of his Post Office savings account or alternatively, that a parent or guardian clause for consent to any withdrawals be included in the act.