W. D. F. U.

Hawera Star, Volume L, 24 February 1931, Page 8

W. D. F. U.

DOMINION ACTIVITIES (Official Corespondent.) Harvest time and Christmas preparations are now finished and all branches are again busy with renewed activity. Everywhere efforts are being made to raise funds for tile Hawke’s day earthquake sufferers and most branches are collecting; clothing and food. The Hawera branch heuped in the arrangements for billeting refugees and. for the disposal of necessaries to them, also for the cold storage of perishable articles, and had suceeded in collecting many dozens of eggs front the different schools. .Potatoes and cooked meat are always wanted. The response of the public has been truly wonderful and many noble spirited people intend trying to adopt orphaned children while free treatment and accommodation has been given for three weeks to maternity cases.

Women’s underwear, stockings, and night attire and baby diothing are needed. Everywhere the \Y.J>. will now be kept busy assisting refugees and other needy cases. The Wellington branch members went immediately and took charge at Hastings, working along with local clergy and other organisations. .Everywhere the. Red Cross Society' and the Plunket Society are also working hand in hand in this national cause for humanity. The ITrehui branch of the women’s idivision held a large meeting just recently, when Alesdames Gogher and Carter gave interesting addresses dealing with the work of the division as regards its internal affairs, and the latter tietailed the activities of the Hawera branch towards earthquake relief work. The presidents of Onkiirn, Lepperton anti Bell Block were also present as guests. Representatives of the Red Cross Society and the Plunket Society were, also present. The two speakers were heartily thanked for their interesting addresses, and Airs. French,, of the Bell Block branch, thanked the Urenui members for tlieii hospitality. The Oamaru branch lias been busy caring for the welfare or Flock House boys, seeing that boys who had left the district were in touch witli the women’s division branches in the districts in which they are settled. After paying expenses and purchasing Christmas gifts for Flock House cadets, Uamaru branch was able to send four pounds to the community chest. Uamaru members are also seeking a remedy for the fact that so many people, including returned soldiers, nnd they cannot successfully take up market gardening owing to alien competition. At \\ aikaia an interesting address on the aims and objects of the division lias been given by Airs. Orr, of Balfour, while large meetings have been interested in demonstrations on Barbo la work and painting on satin. The Cambridge branch purchased a pram for the use of country mothers when bringing their small children to town. This practical comfort has proved a boon and is always in constant demand.

At Kauroa an energetic branch exists, which is raising fund's through afternoon teas. A very pleasant afternoon was recently spent in Airs. Pond’s oeautiful gardens. At T/umsden a competition is being held of making something new from something old. Airs. W. H. Ward gave an instructive demonstration on children's dress-cuttmg. The Oiiaewai branch is raising funds pqr medium of a garden party in March, when tennis competitions, bran tubs and stalls will be managed. A raffia afternoon was given t>y Airs. Dixon.

The Uruti members are making a cake for competition to raise funds for earthquake sufferers. . Each member will provide an ingredient for same. Members also held a luncheon at Fruti sheep fair and realised a profit of £2 10s.

The Opotiki branch are spending their available funds on buying material, and each member takes a share home to sew underclothing for earthquake sufferers A demonstration was given on making mats out of old stockings. They also held a very, successful picnic on" Waiotahi Beach on January 24, when the day was spent with sports, luncheon and afternoon tea.

The Beaumont branch, which conducts very Successful meetings, are arranging a social for funds and contributions of favourite recipes. Miss Johnstone read an able paper on rockgardens, which proved most helpful. She laid particular stress on the .need lor thoroughly preparing the ground on which the rockery is to be built. Mrs. Baith gave .several recipes for the making of jams, including strawberry and raspberry, strawberry and pineapple, mint jelly, etc. A. competition for black currant jelly and gooseberry jelly evoked much interest.

At Kaukapakapa a sewing day is being held, when garments will be made for the needy. Clothes old and new are being, asked for, and a social- is being field for the Auckland Mayor’s fund, while £3 lias been dispatched for relief. Taumarunui branch of the women’s division held a very successful birthday party, when Airs. Hall presented a birthday cake.. Airs. Abraham extended a welcome to Airs. Roles .(Mayoress), to Mrs. Dons, of Ohura, and to representatives of all kindred societies. A I musical competition played by Mrs. ■Rennie created much amusement, five people guessing ail the names. A doll in bed competition was numbered 455 and was won bv Shirley Gibbons. An original question competition caused much merriment.

Airs. Abraham, through her energies, retains great enthusiasm and interest among members in this branch.

DOMINION EXECUTIVE At the recent Dominion executive meeting of the Women’s Division held in Dunedin many important features were discussed and disclosed. Affiliation with the National Council of Women was considered. A; wise proposal, that being a world-wide organisation carrying weight and importance. .

During the past six months, it is pleasing to record, very many hundreds of women have joined up with the W.D.F.U. and that they have felt that the spirit of comradeship was always evident and the hand of friendly happiness' always extended. Lives of country women are now becoming safer, happier and more attractive. The Organising Committee set imp in conference has done much work and given a. great deal of time' and money towards the advancement of this national organisation. As an organised body, the W.D.F.U. could obtain important education, including medical and dental attention in the country similar to that given in the towns. Also, our country branches can arrange for demonstrators, to teach both young and old all that

is useful in needlework and in arts and crafts, wliidi hitherto has been so much the privilege of only the town dwellei. The lien’ cookery book called the “New Zealand Women’s Home Guide” will prove a. 'boon with its many hints dealing, with economy. Besides the practical and useful side of life, the W.D. is keenly alive to the moral welfare of all, especially our voting people. The Hawera, branch sent a. remit protesting against drinking outside halls at dances, a, protest which is fully' justified when, one sees so much of this being carried on. Aii effective wav of dealing with this pitdblem is to co-operate with the police and assist them in finding out the culprits. Often the police do their best to stamp this out, but they have so much, lying and deceiving to contend with, that" their work is made very difficult. For the safety of our young octuple we should do all we can to help in wining out what is the beginning of so ninth trouble at the present day. HOME SCIENCE EXTENSION.

The growth and aims / of the work of the home science extension service in Otago is not yet generally known and appreciated. Home science aims at prevention before cure and teaches that “every home shall be economically sound, mechanically convenient, morally wholesome, physically healthy, artistically satisfying, socially responsible and. spiritually inspiring. During 1930 the extension staff consisted of three tutors , (all home science graduates) under the direction of Professor Strong, working, from the information bureau at Afnramn Hall, Otago University..

Members of the staff have given monthly lectures and nearby centres and lectures at irregular intervals at, other centres wherever possible. To cover a wider field boxes containing illustrated lectures have travelled to all parts and groups have been to study the contents of the boxes.

During 1930 many important activities were engaged in. one of which was organising tours with W.D.F.U. and witli women’s institutes. Another consisted of demonstrations and displays showing the necessary food for family of five for a week costing one shilling per head per day. The most recent activity has been to co-operate with the Agricultural Department in the matter of Boys and Girls’ Clubs and to inaugurate special competitions for girls .in the bottling and drying of fruit and vegetables. ~ Hopes are that .through co-operation of the W.D.F.U. and other organisations that extension of this work may be possible to all parts of the Dominion. The courses of university training in home science offered lead toil) The degree of Bachelor , of Science in home science, of tlie University of New Zealand (a four years’ course) in preparation for teaching the sciences, applied science, and household arts in secondary schools or for dietitians. ...... • (2) The diploma of Associate of Otago University in Home Science .(a three years’ course), preparing for teaching applied science and household arts in elementary schools and technical schools. or for institutional management. (3) Group courses may be arranged for those interested in home making and social service. _ , During 1.930 there were registered 106 students. 72 of whom lived in the hostels and the remainder lived either at home or with relatives. Seventeen! students received Government bursaries,. and a large number gained their degrees. .Nineteen years ago Colonel John Studliolme first conceived the idea of a home science college in Otago.