WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 October 1930, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

DOMINION CONFERENCE.

[FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, October 2.

Some 80 delegates from branches of the New Zealand Women’s Institutes met this morning for the first conference, Miss Jermyn Spencer (Hawkes Bay) presiding. A number of resolutions relating to the Institute’s concerns were dealt with, and business continued till 3.30 o'clock, when a reception to Lady Bledisloe was held. The Governor’General will address the conference tomorrow morning.

Miss Spencer, in her remarks, cover’ed the development of Women’s Institutes in New Zealand, where there are now five federations. She specially mentioned the growth of the , movement in Auckland and Hawke’s Bay districts.

Full discussion took place on all the remits. The most important resolution carried was that moved by Mrs Irwin, on behalf of the Auckland Provincial Executive, “That the Provincial Federation Executive committees in conjunction with the committee of the federated committees, draw up a scheme for a national federation to satisfy New Zealand requirements on the simplest and most economical lines, consistent with efficiency, details to include a clear statement of the financial responsibilities of institutes and provincial federations, this scheme to be submitted to the provincial federation’s council meetings for approval or amendment and if amended to be circulated among institutes, and decided upon by a postal vote, by three-fifths majority.” GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S PRIZE. WELLINGTON. October 2. Lord Bledisloe, to-day, opened the first Dominion conference of the Women’s Institution in New Zealand, .'n a comprehensive address, he bore testimony to the work being accomplished throughout the Empire by the Institute movement, and recounted ac Livities in England with which he was conversant.

If it would be a spur to the development of the movement here, said Lord Bledisloe, Her Excellency and I will ?>e pleased to provide annually for he next five years, a prize of £5 for he best essay by a New Zealander on ■he best means of making Women’s institutes of real benefit to the rural ireas of New Zealand.