N.C.W. MEETING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22405, 12 August 1947, Page 7

N.C.W. MEETING

In order to entertain a former National Council president, Mrs. KentJohnston, Napier, the Gisborne branch of the National Council of Women called a meeting on Wednesday afternoon at the Bon Accord, inviting representatives of all local women s organisations to meet their guest of honour. In addition to N.C.W. members, there was a good attendance of visitors, women’s organisations being well represented. The president of the Gisborne National Council of Women, Mrs. H. C. GofTe, presided, and introduced Mrs. Kent-Johnston, telling of her valuable work and of her efficiency, when, as president of the Napier N.C.W. she organised the Dominion conference when it was held in Napier not long ago. Mrs. Goffe then presented the visitor with a pretty floral spray on behalf of members.

Mrs. Kent-Johnston then gave a very interesting and informative talk on the history of the National Council and its aims and activities. She said that the N.C.W. of New Zealand _ represented 86,000 women of the Dominion at present time, these being members of 110 organised women’s societies with 250 affiliations to the N.C.W. In the early nineties organised bands of women throughout New Zealand had worked hard to obtain women’s suffrage, which they were granted in 1893. Their success made this country prominent internationally, and in the following year Mrs. K. W. Sheppard, who was a delegate to the world convention of the W.C.T.U. in London, and Lady Stout, who was visiting England at the same time, were persuaded by prominent women they had met there to form a National Council in New Zealand on their return. These women did this most successfully, and three years later the New Zealand N.C.W. became affiliated with the International Council of Women.

The speaker outlined the aims of the N.C.W. of New Zealand, which are to promote sympathy of thought and purpose among the women of New Zealand; to promote the social, civil, moral and spiritual welfare of the community; to co-ordinate, both nationally and locally, organisations in harmony with these purposes; to promote such conditions of life as will assure to every child an opportunity for full and free development: to work for the removal of all disabilities of women, whether legal, economic or social; to collect and redistribute information of service to the community; and to form a link with the National Councils of Women of other countries through the International Council of Women.

Of the social advantages achieved through the efforts of the N.C.W. Mrs. Kent-Johnston mentioned the old age pensions, pensions for deserted wives and widows and invalids, the inauguration of the Child Welfare Department, the appointment of women J.P.’s and women police, and the establishment of Children’s Courts; the curtailment of pernicious literature; legislation forbidding drinking in dance halls; and the inclusion of women, on a voluntary basis, on the list of jurymen. At the conclusion of her talk Mrs. Kent-Johnston invited questions. She also paid a warm tribute to Mrs. 11. C. Goffe for her valuable work for the N.C.W. and many other women’s organisations, and urged younger women to take an active part in National Council activities, and to try to obtain more affiliations in Gisborne. After a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Kent-Johnston. moved by the president, afternoon tea was served.

Manufacturers of women s dresses, blouses and lingerie in Great Britain will shortly be adopting standard British measurements for the first time. These will replace the old s.w., w., and o.s. markings which varied according to the manufacturer. In future women with hip sizes from 34in to GOin will have the choice of three different garments to each hip measurement; The three garments are respectively 1, 2. or 3in less round the bust and BJ. 9.\ and IOUn less round the waist for each hip measurement. Trade discussions are now taking place as to whether new numbers should represent the body-size of the woman or the garment.