WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 175, 24 June 1935, Page 6

WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE.

For many years regarded solely as an opportunity for the man on the land to display his skill in producing the finest butter and clieese or excellence in animal husbandry, the Winter Show of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association has benefited on the last two occasions by an excellent display of Women’s Institute exhibits which threaten to equal if not excel the major attractions at this popular exhibition. The magnificent work of this organisation evoked the admiration of all who visited the Show last week —men as well as women- — and the officials of the Association must recognise that in the enterprise of the farmers’ wives and daughters who made the display possible there is a most laudable movement. From humble beginnings the Institutes have grown to such an appreciable extent that to-day their membership numbers thousands. In their periodical meetings there is much to instruct as well as to amuse; the social hours have' their value not in that quality alone; the members turn their hands to pleasing and profitable occupations, the results of which were apparent to those who inspected the stalls last week. Two outstanding features of the movement commend themselves to all who have watched it grow—its progress . has been attained without outside help of any description such as State aid, and its members perform many worthy services entirely without ostentation. It has been noticed from time to time that a helping hand has been generously extended to members laid aside by illness, the burdens of rural life which at any time is prone to become monotonous are lightened and, most commendable, of recent months the spirit of thrift has come within its scope by the presentation of initial bank accounts to the children of members. Nearly every settlement has its Women s Institute and the movement is rapidly growing; it is an important part of the fabric of social life of this Dominion. Those who visited the Show last week would readily appreciate how skilful its members are in numerous directions and the organisers of the Show might well consider extending the scope for such displays.