TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 71, 23 February 1937, Page 13

TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

There were two distinguished visitors present at the February meeting of the Palmerston North Townswomen’s Guild, yesterday afternoon — Miss A. E. Jerome Spencer, 0.8. E. (Itissington, Hawke’s Bav), founder of the Townswomen’s Guilds in New Zealand, and Mrs E. M. Seward, president of the Ealing (London) Townswomen’s Guild.

It was a “red letter” day for the guild, commented the president (Mrs A. E. Mansford), and the large number of ladies present gathered much of value from an address by each of the visitors. Mrs Mansford welcomed Miss Spencer and Mrs Seward and Mrs G. Lyne, on behalf of the Gardening Circle, presented them with posies. Congratulations to Miss Spencer on receiving the Order of the British Empire in the New Year honours were voiced, on behalf of the gathering, by the president.

Miss Spencer, in returning thanks, said that the Women’s Institutes and Townswomen’s Guilds nuif* share in tlie honour conferred upon her, since it was a recognition of the fact that her work in connection with them had had been worth while that had brought it upon her.

THE MAIN IDEALS. Speaking of the Townswomen’s Guilds, Miss Spencer said that underlying them were two main ideals—•neignbourliness and education. A guild meeting was a friendly gathering, and the success of the guild depended on the friendliness of its atmosphere; it was necessary for all m«>i-, hers to feel ready to take a share in the services connected with it. Dealing with the educational side, the founder said that it was only by educating themselves that they could educate others. She suggested that members keep a guild diary, writing in it what they expected of a meeting before it occurred and then recording what they had derived from it. The annual meeting was to take place shortly, and Miss Spencer urged members always to elect a good committee, pointing out that they would not be escaping responsibility by avoiding a vote. Groups, such as circles and sub-comiAittees, were connected

with the guild, and there was a danger of groups becoming ' like miniature guilds; they must remember the guild was the parent or centre. If the guild worked in the right spirit, finance would take care of itself. Miss Spencer urged members to remember that they were all citizens of the town in which they had their guild, and that meetings were not merely friendly gatherings, but must have a purpose behind them. The members themselves could offer suggestions for the programmes.

As it was necessary that there should be co-ordination between the guilds, a central body was needed, and an executive central committee had been formed provisionally, Miss Spencer added. It was hoped that a meeting might be held m Wellington and that in a year’s time the movement might be extended even more in New Zealand. The drawback of large guilds was that it "as not possible for everybody to know everybody else and to take an active part. While she was not suggesting that the guild should break m two, a guild formed on the outskirts ol the town might draw in the "'omen who were not already members. Ihe foundation was the women’s spiritwomen were feeling that they had a contribution to make, and finding an outlet for that in women’s organisations. “We must not regard our guild merely as a pleasant meeting place, but must feel that it is canning on in our life- May the new j ear bring all the success enjoyed in the past and a great deal more,” concluded the speaker. WOMEN AND ELECTRICITY.

Mrs Seward spoke of the Home Electrical Association lor women in England, which Had been formed VI years ago by Caroline Jdaslett, U.ii.lt., 0.1.E.E., secretary of the Women's Engineering society, with the idea ■ of teaching women me correct use of current owing to its liigti cost in England. .Noted women Had joined and given active support, and tne fame of cue association nad spread so rapidly that similar organisations had been termed in Holland and New South Wales. Mrs Seward also mentioned that she had been instrumental in forming one in iihodesia. She explained in detail the working of tlie association, ol which, there were over el) branches in England with between gUO and 1400 members each. It was the tremendous backing of members that gave the association its power. When a housing centre was established, authoiNies were approached and the matter of lighting, etc., discussed with them, questionnaires also being circulated . and the information they gave made use of and distributed. Mrs Seward spoke of the new profession which had arisen through the association. It had established n certificate for home-makers, eliminating the term “servant” and in its place putting “home-maker.” How could thejy raise the status of the domestic worker? First, by encouraging householders to organise their house by using electricity, eliminating unnecessary drudgery, and giving

women more leisure. In the new profession, the girl who applied must have a School of Cookery, certificate, and if she was thought to he suitable in appearance, voice, charm, and tact, she was accepted. The profession was entirely for the educated girl. A course of training extended over nine months, after which three months were employed in practical salesmanship. An examination was then set, and if the girl was successful she obtained an Electrical Association of Women’s certificate and began work. After four years she could apply for a diploma, and she then had her foot on the rung of a ladder which could rise to tremendous heights. ,

The association was endeavouring to see that lighting in schools and homes was done in a really scientific way, Mrs Seward added.

OTHER BUSINESS. Three new members were welcomed —Mesdames H. Dixon, O. Brown, and A. Fnrland. Visitors welcomed included Mesdames Fitzgerald (England), T. H. Spackman, B- Casey,' L. A. Northey, IV. Phillips (Newtown,* Wellington), L. Ginn (Wanganui East), E. Edwards, A. L. Cooper, and B. Manetan .(Wellington), Miss D. Reid (Wellington), and Miss G. H. Kearns. Circle reports, were presented by Mrs E. W. Drake (arts and crafts), Mrs A. J. McNeilly (music?, Mrs G. Lyne (gardening), Miss M. Grant (civics), and Mrs J. Davidson (playreading) .

Those present in an official capacity were Mesdames ,D. James and D. Evans, who were hostesses ; Mesdames H. Palmer, G. Lyne and J. Davidson (tea conveners), and Mesdames M. Glendinning, E. Herron, A. Holmes, A. Hopwood, M. Hart,, E. C. Hepburn, 11. D. Howley, W. M. Huntingdon, and J. Davidson, tea helpers; Mesdames J. Davidson and W. G. Black, wandering hostesses. The ladies responsible for the decorations were Mesdames E. W. Drake, RCurruthers, G. H. Barrett, B. Denham,,., and G. Lyne.

Soiigs were contributed by Miss Molly Diederich, and the accompanist was 'Mrs A. J. McNeilly. On the motion of Mrs Mansford, Miss Diederich was accorded a vote of thanks. Thanks were also accorded Miss Spencer by Mrs D. Evans, and Mrs Seward by Miss Grant. The president thanked others who had contributed to the afternoon’s pleasure.