WOMEN'S DIVISION

Evening Star, Issue 20193, 5 June 1929, Page 2

WOMEN'S DIVISION

AN INTERESTING MEETING The third annual conference of the women's division of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the home science building of the Otago University yesterday afternoon, the president, Mrs J. Preston, being in the chair. EXECUTIVE'S REPORT. The annual report of the executive stated that there ivere seven branches functioning properly in the district, and there were seven districts where members were working together towards a common ideal—an ideal which aimed at promoting a true community spirit and the building up of happy and healthful homes. Four new branches—Kelso, Crookston, Balclutha, and Palmerstou— were formed during the year, and the membership stood at 152. The report was adopted without discussion. PRESI DENT'S A DDRESS. Mrs Preston extended a welcome to those present, and mentioned especially several ladies from Taranaki, whom she hoped would have, a pleasant tour, and a number of ladies from branches outside Otaao. The division's stall at the Winter Show was showing great results, and the takings would be much greater than those of last year. Mrs Preston referred at length to the work at the Dominion Conference nt Wellington, at which she ivas the Otago Division's representative. She expressed the hope that a strong delegation from Otago would v,o to Wellington this year to attend the conference. Mrs Preston said their branches were growing slowly but steadily. The Otago Division was now firmly established, and she thanked all those in charge of branches and all those who had worked hard in the interests of the movement HONORARY LIFE MEMBER. Ou the motion of the President it was decided to recommend to the_ Dominion Conference that the retiring dominion president (Mrs Poison) be made an honorary life member. REMITS. Mrs Anderson, of Balelutha, in proposing that a remit urging the better ventilation of country schools be sent forward to the Dominion Conference, said that a number of country schools did not have proper ventilation. They had plenty of windows, and the teachpi's kept them open to make the rooms fresh, but the children sitting under the windows, instead of benefiting by it, frequently caught colds- it was felt that a, proper ventilation system could ho installed at very little expense. The remit was adopted. A remit from W'aikouaiti—"That provision be made in the 7-ules for the financial management of provincial councils and their _ adequate representation on the Dominion Council," was carried.

Speaking in support of a remit urging a revision of the county franchise, Mrs Wedge, of Palmerston, said that it was a subject of vital importance to all country people, not only to women, but to men, the ratepayers themselves, and any man and woman over twenty-one years. It did not seem to he generally known what an unfair system was in vogue at the present time in regard to the election of such local bodies as hospital, power, and harbour boards. They "knew that as far as parliamentary elections were concerned everybody over twenty-one had a vote, hut at county elections the only persons who had votes were the ratepayers or the holders of g, miner’s

right. It was only ratepayers, however, that they were concerned with, and the speaker went on to point out in what ways the people in a county couid be largely outvoted by the void's in a borough. She moved the following remit:—“That an endeavour bo made t<» obtain legislation to give men and women in counties the same electoral privileges as enjoyed by those residing in cities and boroughs.”—This remit was carried. PROFESSO R STRONG'S SUGGESTION.

Professor Strong extended an invitation to those present to inspect the Home Science School, and she urged upon them that they should consider the adopting of a system 'of lectures • for winter evenings for country women. The Home Science Department was always willing to help anybody in any way it could. Such a system was in existence in other parts of the world, and she would like the people of Otago to give a lead in that direction. Mrs Carter, president of the South Taranaki branch, speaking on behalf of tbe Taranaki visitors, expressed thanks for tbe welcome which had been extended to them. She thought the proposal of Mrs Strong was a. particularly valuable one, and if it could he carried out and Otago could give a lead in that direction, Otago would be doing an enormous amount of good for country women. .If a start weie made here she was sure that the benefit could be extended to other districts by means of technical schools. There had always been a feeling of detachment among country women, and such a scheme would draw them together. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted:—. President, Mrs Jasper Clarke; vicepresidents —Mrs Crawford Anderson (Baldutha), Mrs Drake (Berwick), and Mrs Shennan (Berwick); secretary, Mrs S. P. Cameron: committee— Professor Strong, Mrs Reid, Mrs Preston, Miss M'Ritchie, and the presidents of the various branches.