W. D. F. U.

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 9

W. D. F. U.

Aims and Objects

A short address was given by Mrs C. Benton, of Auroa, on the work of the W.D.F.U. at a gathering of Women’s Division and Farmers’ Union members at Tokaora on Wednesday evening. Ten years ago a small band of women .conceived the idea of working for the betterment of conditions for women and children on the land, but to-day that number has grown to lu,000 members, all imbued with the same high ideal. That ideal was personified in the Division motto, “Service to others.’’ Mrs Poison, who was the founder of the movement, first lit the lamp, which now radiates its beams of help, cheer and comfort to women who are working long hours and striving against hard odds, to eke out an existence. Practical help isj given by reliable emergency house-j keepers who cheerfully give of their j best under all conditions, and likewise! by nurses. Book clubs send all kinds! of literature into the backbloeks, while! country women are given :an opportun-' jity to learn arts and crafts and thrift! and economy In the home. Monthly j meetings prove a social service of ini' estimable value, where minds are i broadened and expanded to cope with* i the world’s problems. To strive for an i international understanding delegates ■are sent to the Pan-Pacific Conferences. at Honolulu, and the Division has link-j I , I led up with the country women s associations of the world. The great] 'potentialities of organised womanhoodi are revealed bv the fact that 90 per cent, of the world’s market sales are transacted either for women or by women, or to suit women. It is, after all, women who control the buying of foodstuffs for the home, and the purchasing of clothing. The Division co-operates with the Farmers’ Union in its work

with the Boys and Girls’ Clubs, with pie Bed Cross Society and with the Plunket Society in all that pertains to the welfare of women and children. The Division was keenly interested in educational matters and is striving to have secondary education placed within the reach of all children to give them, equal opportunities of makingprogress throughout life.