Scholarship plan rejected

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32902, 28 April 1972, Page 5

Scholarship plan rejected

Local body reform, aid to the Chatham Islanders, and billboard posters were among the subjects discussed at the Diocese of Christchurch Catholic Women’s League annual meeting yesterday.

The proposal, by Addington branch, to provide a secondary school scholarship for a boy or girl from the Chatham Islands was the subject of a long debate. The branch’s amended remit was that the Catholic Women’s League of the diocese of Christchurch sponsor a boy or girl from the Chatham Islands to a Catholic secondary boarding college for a period of approximately four years. Several delegates, including the Temuka one who said her branch already had raised money towards the scholarship, spoke strongly in support of the remit. Emphasis was placed on the Chathams being the responsibility of the Christchurch diocese.

Concern, however, was expressed at the. ability of the league to meet further continuing economic commitment. It was explained that the scholarship would cost the league $3BO a year, and the Addington branch had budgeted above the necessary costs to allow for inflation. This would also build up a trust fund for the future. On the latest membership figures the cost to each member would be 50c a year. This would give $761.50 annually. QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify a child would be selected by the head teacher on the Chatham Islands, and in consultation with the parish priest and the Christchurch Maori Mission

The nomination for the scholarship would go to the Department of Education in Auckland for the Government bursary of $2OO a year which was available to Chatham Island children attending school in New Zealand. The Addington branch, agreed, in response to a question from the floor, that with the support of its Maori Mission it would act as a guarantor for the scholarship. Delegates inquired whether

1 the child would return to work and live in the Chatham Islands. The Waimate ’ delegate said she believed ■ there had been no such cri- » teria in the past, and that i the child’s education would benefit any community in ’ which it lived. f It was suggested that the league would assist the Chatham Islanders most by sup- - porting the establishment of i educational opportunities on > the islands. 5 The Dallington branch re- - ported interest by the Government in building a primary - manual school there. : The remit was defeated by ■ a vote of 18-15. Local body voting A remit submitted by the J Bumside branch of .the ; league, "That this conference affirms support for the prin- . ciple of one man, one vote, j and urges immediate and direct approach to Govem- , ment that this principle be ; fully implemented forthwith by the necessary amendment to the Counties Act,” was 1 passed by definite majority. ■ Speaking to the remit, a 1 member of the Bumside' branch said that under the I present act, a ratepayer had ' three votes to a householder’s one. This did not apply in 1 municipalities, she said. '< After considerable discus-1 cussion the meeting decided < to recommit to the next : national conference a remit on billboard posters which i had been passed previously. 1 The C.W.L. of New Zea- s land then “expressed to the New Zealand Newspaper Pro- < prietors its deep concern at t at the use of lurid and sug-1 gestive headlines on posters.” t Treatment for alcoholism in I

New Zealand was discussed. The meeting decided to express its concern to the Minister of Health "that the disease of alcoholism be recognised.” It will seek long-term treatment by the establishment of clinics similar to those run to treat tuberculosis and cancer. DONATIONS Reviewing the year's work the diocese’s annual report, which was presented to meeting, said more than $5596 was donated by 30 branches to Pacific, Maori, and other missions. Members of these branches also worked about 8863 hours in opportunity shops for Maori missions. Membership was 1523 financial members in 35 branches.

In addition to mission work, branches sponsored children through the Save the Children Fund, and also contributed to the Pakistan Relief appeal through C.0.R.S.O. Branches contributed about $457 to the Holy Name Seminary Bursary fund, and $236 was sent to the diocesan headquarters for the Maori Mission Fund.

Regional representatives reported on their branches’ activities, including efforts on behalf of a wide range of community and welfare activities.

Last evening the retiring national mission secretary, Mrs C. Davis, presided at a session on the missions. Officers elected. — president, Mrs P. Hardy; vicepresidents, Mesdames M. Ryan, J. van Montford; secretary, Mrs P. Lyons; treasurer, Mrs J. Terrell.