W.D.F.U.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 111, 11 April 1936, Page 13

W.D.F.U.

PALMERSTON NORTH BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. The ninth annual meeting of the Palmerston North ' branch of the Women’s Division of, the Farmers’ Union was held at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s rooms on Thursday afternoon. There was a large and representative attendance, and the meeting opened with the recital of the Women’s Creed. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames L. A. Abraham, ,T. A. Russell. E. A. Shaw, J. Cunninghame, B. Read (Sand on), J. McKay, Harkness and Miss Rawstron.

Motions of sympathy were accorded Mrs Cunninghame, who had suffered a bereavement, Mrs L. A. Abraham, who was absent through illness, and Mrs B. Read (Sandon), who had sickness in her family.

Before commencing the business of tbe meeting, Mrs 0. Niederer, the president, extended a welcome to all present and expressed her pleasure at the large attendance. The annual report was read by the secretary, and the treasurer (Mrs E. Jennings) presented the balance-sheet which showed a credit of £39. The report stated that the year commenced with a membership of 85 and closed with 96 on the financial list. “Our finances are in a very sound condition, and although we have had many calls on us during the year, the treasurer’s statement shows a substantial credit. The committee accepted with regret the resignation of Mrs H. Sinclair as treasurer and Mrs Jennings was elected to fill the vacancy. She has carried out the task allotted to her in a very businesslike manner and our thanks are due to her. The branch was represented at the Dominion conference by the president and secretary, who endeavoured to carry out their instructions in voting on mattem of vital importance to the organisation. The president, Mrs W. Howell, and Mrs H. Bond, as delegates. and Mesdames H. R. Green and IV. F. Field, as advisory members have attended the provincial executive meetings held quarterly in Marton, and represented Palmerston North to the best of their ability. In connection with these meetings we are indebted to Mesdames Bond Green and Davison for placing tb°ir cars at the use of the committee. The president find Mrs IV. J. Crmmhcha.ve been the branch representative'" on the committee of flip Manawotu branch . of the Crippled Children’s Society and we thank them for their services on our behalf. Invitations were received to attend the annual dinners of the Registered Nurses’ Association and Business Girls’ Club, Miss McLagan, Mesdames Aynsley and Feild being the representatives at the former function. Our committee was formed in August and has been functioning since September, in all its deliberations giving care and attention to detail for' the mutual benefit of all. The work of sending help to country homes lias been in the hands of advisory members, who at times have had difficulty in ascertaining whether assistance was merited, and in placing our report on this activity before you we hope our actions will meet with your approval. Twenty housekeepers have been employed during the year, sixteen being subsidised and four paid in full. The division’s home needlewomen have been a great boon to all our country women during the past year and in this district eight engagements have been filled. We have two very competent needlwomen working in the provincial district all the time, and early booking is advised. We •have attended to any calls for immediate help and have given a donation to a family in distress to tide them over trouble. In common with other branches throughout the Dominion, we sent a contribution to help a family which had suffered through an accident in the home and several small donations have been sent to headquarters. Through Mrs W. J. Crouclier’s untiring work for the Book Club, Palmerston North is credited with sending a large consignment of books to. the club librarian, and "for her efforts we accord Mrs Crouclier our sincere thanks. Our hospital" visiting has been carried out mainly by Mrs Cunninghame, with the assistance of the president, secretary, and Mrs Jennings, who have at all times visited country members undisposed. Our chief money raising effort has been the stall at the Manawatu Show. This year’s venture in conducting two stalls evidently had the sympathy of the general public and our own members. We thank the Show committee for generous‘help and members of the A. and P. office staff for all the assistance they gave. Members of the division from far and near sent contributions and all who were able to do so gave wholeheartedly of their time and labour. The meetings have been enjoyable and well attended and members have enjoyed lectures from time to time. Since the last annual meeting the Wellington central provincial executive lias undertaken its own housekeeping scheme and is carrying on the experiment until the end of April when the question will be reviewed. The branch has contributed £2O to this fund, all of which money is used for subsidising housekeepers’ wages. Our thanks are due to Mr Harrington for again acting as auditor; to Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame for the ‘continued free use of a room, and the members of the staff, particularly Mrs Coates, who has been helpful on all occasions; to the Press for generous space and publicity; to Mrs A. Dickins one of our members, for the generous gift of a beautiful birthday cake; to all who have assisted with entertainment at our social functions; and to every member who has helped l>y sympathy and co-operation to make the past vear a successful one. NEW RESPONSIBILITIES. The adoption of tlio report and balance-sheet was moved by the President and seconded by Mrs Bond, and carried. Mrs Niederer stressed the fact that wo lived in a world of changing conditions with the advent of new methods, improved machinery, of rapid transport and. communication. Each new discovery made others possible, and while all these things were helping humanity to rise to higher standards they brought with . them duties and responsibilities that could only be dealt with by working collectively through organisations. The Women’s Division of the Farmers Union, while one of the youngest bodies to come into existence, was doing a useful work and covered a fairly wide range. The speaker traversed the work of the branch during the year, mentioning all those to whom special thanks were due. Votes of thanks were accorded the secretary (Mrs Field), who was voted a small honorarium in appreciation of her splendid work, and Mrs Jennings was accorded the thanks of the meeting for having proved sucli an efficient worker in her position as treasurer. A welcome was extended to Miss Elder, who had come at the request of the secretary to give a report of her work as division needlewoman during the prist six months. Miss Elder, stated that she had carried out engagements in 23 homes, having a long list of her sewing activities to rend to members. She had enjoyed her duties, and wherever she went she had found a home away from home and could only speak in the highest terms of the kindness

and consideration she had received in all the homes she had visited. She attributed the smooth running of her department to the energies of the housekeeper secretary (Mrs Field), who had been responsible for the management of the hookings, etc. Miss Elder was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Before vacating the chair, Mrs Niederer expressed her thanks for the loyal support accorded her and wished the branch every success in the coining year. Mrs W. Howell was voted to the chair for the election of officers and before proceeding with the business moved a hearty vote of .thanks to the retiring president for the great work she had accomplished for the branch. Mrs Howell said she conkl only say from her own experience as president that, however capable a secretary she might have, the president was re- j sponsible for the conduct of the branch. I Two nominations were received for j the presidency) Mrs Niederer and Mrs Field. A ballot was taken, Mrs Ayn-j sley and Mrs Johansen acting as] scrutineers. Mrs Niederer was returned j by a bare majority. Other officers I were elected as follow: Vice-presidents, I Mesdames B. A. Bond, D. Buchanan! and E. Doherty; lion, secretary, Mrs, Field (re-elected unopposed) ; lion, j treasurer, Mrs E. B. Jennings (tin- j opposed) ; advisory members. Mesdames D. Buchanan and W. F. Field; dele- 1 gates to the provincial executive meet- 1 ings, Mrs IV. J. Crouclier and Mrs H. R. Green (Ivairanga) ; delegate to the Dominion conference, Mrs IV. A. Davison (Rongotea) ; committee, Mesdames A. T. Nicliolls, J. A. McLeavey, H. Sinclair, C. Eglinton, A. Dickens, J. B. Cunninghame, Swainson, E. Hobbs, J. Boyce and Miss Mathieson. In thanking members for her reelection to the chair, Mrs Niederer asked for. the loyal support and co-opera-tion of all members, and said that she would endeavour to do all she could for the advancement of the branch. •Mrs Field thanked the members for i having again asked her to carry on as i secretary, and stated that while she | had aspired to the presidency, having been a member of the branch and a committee' member for the past eight ! years, she was still prepared to act as j their secretary and would in all her |

vhm iv uc guinea uy minesiy or purpose and straightforwardness, and f genuine desire to assist in every pos sible way. Mrs Field impressed hei hearers with the fact that while it was natural for anyone to make mistakes all liked to be told when a mistake line been made, as long as it was don< through the proper channels—tht branch meetings. Mrs W. Howell, acting under mediea advice, was unable to accept office foi the coming year, and all present hopec that the rest ordered her would re store her to good health, so that sh< would at some future time be able t< resume her activities as an officer o the branch Mrs Howell, who has beei working with Mrs Niederer in arrang ing a suitable programme for Girls Edueaiijbnal Week, asked that a specia committee of members of the bra riel be set up to complete arrangements and this matter is to be attended to A vote of thanks to tile chair ter minuted the meeting and an adjourn ment was made for afternoon tea.