COUNTRY GIRLS’ WEEK

Evening Star, Issue 23048, 29 August 1938, Page 6

COUNTRY GIRLS’ WEEK

OPENING SESSIONS

The initial sessions of the Country Girls’ Educational Week were held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms this morning. There were 71 girls, representing almost every district in Otago, and for the remainder of the week an interesting programme has been arranged for them. The organisation of the week is in the hands of the Otago Provincial Council of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The meetings this morning were presided over by Mrs W. Elliott, provincial president of the division, and the secretary is Miss A. F. Borrie. The week is based on similar lines to the young farmers’ weeks, one of which was held in Dunedin recently. The first session was a roll call, at which each of the girls present was asked to speak for one minute on her district, interests, and work. Later the visitors were welcomed to the city by representatives of various public bodies. Mrs Elliott expressed the apologies of the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), who was unable to be present to welcome the visitors on behalf of the city, and then introduced the representatives of the various local bodies. ; /Mrs' W. W. Benson, president of the National Council of Women, said that the opportunity of studying coudi 7 tions in the towns was a most necessary one, so that they could understand the views of their friends who lived there. Speaking of the body which she represented, Mrs Benson said that, though it was a non-political one, the memhers kept a careful eye on the trend of conditions and- political affairs. It was affiliated with the International Council, which represented 36 nations, and was doing much to create a mutual understanding which would outlaw war between the different countries. She urged her listeners to forward these objects with all their power. Miss J. F. Ross, president of the Y.W.C.A., said that both town and country, were working with the same objects in view. She also thanked the country girls for their assistance in the various fairs and sales which were held by the association. The Y.W.C.A. included more than 50, countries, and the world council was being held in Canada this year. It endeavoured, to unite women and girls in the various parts of the world. They hoped to obtain a new building shortly, when they would be able to considerably extend the work of their organisation. Mrs 0. Skinner, representing the Dunedin branch of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, voiced the feeling of the division in extending a warm welcome to the visitors. _ The aims and objects of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce were outlined by Mr P. O. Smellie, who considered that there was a crying need for more understanding between the city and the country, and there was nothing more calculated to do this than such visits. .. . , Mr H. L. Longbottora, president -of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, then described the work of the body which he represented. On the proposal of Mrs W. Lee a vote of thanks to the speakers was carried. , This afternoon a drive round the city and to the Brown House has been arranged, and the evening is free.