"FOR HOME and COUITRY."

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 29, 11 December 1930, Page 20

"FOR HOME and COUITRY."

(Continued from page 17). we became dirty." She then goes on to describe the furnishings—everyone contributing. Old chairs and a table •were brought and were varnished or covered wit>h cretonnej these were used until card parties and socials in the hall brought in sufficient money to provide better ones. Farther she says:-— "Then think of this! We all know each other now—no "Oh" yes-that's Mrs Brows' who lives down-the road, but I don't know her!" Now after ten years in the same place we -have got to know each other well and each has found out how nice the other is What a tribute to any organisation and that is only one case out of many. Miss Stops speaks enthusiastically of her receptions everywhere and considers New Zealand women very quick and adaptable and they in return are quite enarmoured of "Our Miss Stops" as she is •called. During 2iei* present visit' she has formed about 70 Institutes "and is still going strong." In October 1925 the Hawses Bay Federation consisting of only eight Institutes was formed but during the next two years Miss Spencer began definitely the work of organising and in 1927 the Auckland Federation was formed to be followed by Wellington in 1928. "Voluntary organisers' were then appointed and the Movement bflggn to grow more quickly till in March of this year there were eighty-nine Women's Institutes in New Zealand, including two Associated Maori Institutes. . _ The progress during the last eight months >lowever, has been extraordin-

arily rapid for "at the date of writing the total has just about reached, the two hundred mark! This speaks for itself! The country women know what ■they want.

This year has seen the formation of Federations in Otago and £!anterbivry and in October last the first Dominion Conference was held in Wellington. .Delegates from both IsJand attended in •splendid numbers and it was then resolved v-fro pi-oceed wit!h. ihe formation of a Rational Federation of Women's Institutes. Their Excellencies showed a practical interest in the movement, for the Conference was honoured with visits from both Lord and Lady Bledi- ' sloe, the former giving an interesting and encouraging talk to the delegates. 'As everyone knowsj His Excellency is a practical agriculturalist and his speech showed that he also knew and1 recognised the value of the movement, having come in contact "with it at Home,. -One remark.in particular made •by His Excellency put ih.o aim of the Women's Institutes very concisely,-th!us —"The aim of the W.I. is no;t to dispense charity but to dispense .with charity as the outcome of. greater knowledge.'' Their Excellencies gave .further proof of their interest by offering a prize of £5 for five years to the Institute member who produces the best essay on "The Best .Means of Making Woamen's Institutes .of Teal benefit to the- rural areas of New Zealand."

The movement is also indebted to the Directors of the'N.Z. Dairy Exporter' wiho have- given £150 to the funds during' the past tyro years;, but otherwise ■ ' ' " - "V".'--

it has been dependent on its own re- , sources. Although the movement is essentially for country women (for no Institute may be formed in a township of more than 4000 inhabitants) yet it is quite a common thing for people living in larger towns and who in one way or another have come in contact with it, to join up with the nearest Institute rather than miss t>he. comradeship. At present the only Institute in the Hutt Valley is at Stokes Valley, which is rapidly growing and has several members from both Wellington and Lower Hutt in addition to those from its own district, i/ther Institutes near Wellington are at Paraparatimu, Reikiorangi, and Wainivi-o-flnata. - New Zealand Institutes have their OTvn song- written specially for them iby Mrs Janies Bilbby of Waipawa Women 's Institute and set to music by Mr. Noel West of Palmerston North whoso wife is secreiaTy of the Wellington Federation. THE W.I. ASPIRATION. Keep us, oh Lord, from pejtiness^—-let us be large in thought and word and deed. , Let us be -done with fault-finding and I leave off self-seeking. May we put off all pretence and meet each other; face to face,v without self pity and without prejudice; May we never be hasty• in judgment and always generous. ' v Teach /us to put into action out better impulse, straight forward and unafraid. ! .Lot us take .time for all things—nrake

us grow calm, serene and gentle. Grant, us that we may-realise that it is the little things that create differ ences—t&at.in the big things of life we are one. And may we strive to touch and know the great woman's heart .common to us all, and oh Lord, let us not forget to be kind. . . lSueh is the aspiration of Women's Institutes and an organisation whoa© members strive to live up to such an ideal cannot fail to prosper and in prospering lift up, not only the country section of the community, but help to bring the whole nation neaTer to perfection.