GISBORNE FARMERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20569, 31 May 1941, Page 9

GISBORNE FARMERS

WOMEN CONGRATULATED “DOWN WITH DEFEATISM” Congratulating the members of the Women’s Division on the good work they had been doing during the past year, the president of the Poverty Bay branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. J. E. Benson, at the annual dinner to-day, said that the men felt jealous but proud of the enthusiasm shown by the women’s branch. He referred to the splendid effort of the women in connection with the fighting forces fund. They were working silently at home also as their contribution to the war effort.

In reply, Mrs. H. LofTler, a vicepresident of the Women’s Division, commented upon the spirit of cooperation between the two organisations. The annual dinners served to bind them closer together to meet the great difficulties of the day. Speaking of the spirit of defeatism, which he described as an insidious thing, Mr. W. T, Veitch said it got persons without their realising it. He was pleased to be able to say that he had not met it in any of the women’s organisations, but it was apparent in some other quarters. Mr. Veitch called on members of the union to do their utmost to kill that feeling whenever it was apparent.

Mrs. G. W. Humphreys said that the Women’s Division would never bo defeated. It had started off without any money, but, with the assistance ox the Gisborne Young Farmers’ Club, had been able to do much good Within -a year 1952 garments had been sent overseas from the district.

Mr. George Brown said he hoped that his entry into the union would be an incentive to the remainder of the native farmers to link up with the organisation.

Other speakers were Mrs. W. A. McCliskie, and Messrs. S. D. Reeves and J. B. Von Pein.