WOMEN’S COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1934, Page 7

WOMEN’S COUNCIL

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CH.CH. MAYOR REBUKED

[PUB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, April 18

The annual conference of the National Council of Women opened today, over 30 delegates attending. A service was first held at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, where Rev. A. C. Watson addressed the delegates. A civic welcome was extended by Mayor Sullivan, who paid tribute to the ideals and work of the Council, and made a plea that women should play a larger part in the political and social Hfe. “Some women have done great things, but are all of them active in backing up the leaders?” Mrs McCombs, M.P., joined in the welcome, but said Mr Sullivan was wrong when he said women had not taken a big part in national life. Women had already had great influence on the legislative and social life of this country.

Miss B. E. Carnahan, Dominion President of the Council, responding, said her reply to the Mayor was that men had got the world into a mess, and the women had to try to get it straight again. “We do not want to usurp the places of men, but want to work in the closest co-operation. There are certain functions of Government which can only be efficiently handled by women.”

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE COAST FEDERATION MEETING 1 The annual conference of the West 1 Coast Federation of Women’s In- ■ stitutes, was held in the Town 1 Hall, Greymouth, to-day, the President, Mrs. G. Black, presiding over an 3 attendance of nearly one hundred ■ delegates. Delegates are present from Ahaura, Arahura, Blackball, Barrytown, Brunner, Cronadun, Gladstone, 1 Greymouth, Hokitika, Hari Hari, Koiterangi, Kumara, Matanui, Ngahere, ’ Otira, Runanga, Waluta and Reefton. The conference opened with the singing of the institute song. The secretary, Mrs. A. Stewart, presented the following annual report:— In presenting this, our first Annual Report, your committee has much pleasure in stating that this great movement Is progressing even in our isolated province. As you all know we are but in our infancy having set up our own house in October last, and for this our heartfelt thanks are due to Mrs. Kelso for much practical aid and .advice. May her shadow never grow less. We now have thirty-six Institutes all working harmoniously; two new ones have been formed, and one other almost completed, with several more in the near future. We regret to state that Rotomanu had to be dissolved (temporarily we hope) as it was found impossible to carry on, /With such a small membership. It is earnestly hoped to revive this institute later on. Interest has been well maintained in spite of the financial stress through which all are passing—a tribute to the enthusiasm of the members themselves, and a proof that the Institutes are filling a real need and are a help and refuge in these times of strain. Your committee is pleased to note that the social side of the Institutes has advanced alongside of the work. Members have exert- ' ed themselves in providing entertainment and worthily fulfilled their part i in this wonderful movement of ours. Any Institute doing this soon takes ' its place in the general life of the ; township or district in which it is, and 1 1 in every case exerts a good helpful 1 influence. First the Institute is helped then the town or district and it naturally follows that other bodies are helped also. At the West Coast A. and P. Show held at Greymouth in Feb- ( ruary, a very good display of mem- ( hers’ work was on view, and it really , was a great credit to all concerned. The exhibits wer.e varied, and of a high standard of workmanship, and were quite a feature of the Show. Next yean when Miss Blake returns from England, and if funds are available, we hope to hold a “school of tuition” in drama work. A box of samples for demonstrations has been prepared, and it is hoped to finalise arrangements soon for circulating these among the Institutes. Your com- < mittee has endeavoured to have de- J monstrations arranged so that mem- ] bers and delegates attending the Do- ; minion Conference in Wellington in ] July may be given an opportunity to < learn something fresh to bring home. ( It is hoped that members will avail 1 themselves of these lessons. Since our ; formation, four executive meetings i have been held, and keen enthusiasm j has been displayed. In conclusion we ] desire to thank all who have helped < and encouraged us. < The report was adopted.

The financial statement showing a credit balance of £l3/14/10 was read and adopted. Receipts amounted to £23/2/7, including affiliation fees for 1933, £9/4/6, and affiliation fees for 1934 £6/11/-, while the main items in the expenditure were: Stationery £2/4/2, and comm. Nov., February, and March £2/0/3. Assets showed an excess of £2/17/- over liabilities. The roll call was taken, and reports received from the delegates of the Institutes were received as satisfactory. In connection with the Runanga remit that a set standard of rules be created for judging competitions, it was decided, after a lengthy discussion, that the Federation write to Mrs McCorkindale, Dominion Supervisor of Home Craft, asking her to suggest a standard and rules for judging. This afternoon, Mrs Deans addressed the gathering at length on the activities of the Dominion Executive. She was accorded a vote of thanks for her address. Members of the Gladstone Institute presented a playette, and vocal solos were rendered by Mrs Cogswell and Mrs Wright.