North Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 100, 1 May 1935, Page 8

North Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes

There was a great gathering of country women at the Municipal hall, Palmerston North, yesterday, when delegates and members attended the annual council meeting of North Wellington Federation of Women's Institutes, there being an attendance of several hundred. Miison and Tiritea members, headed by Mesdames F. J. Murphy and F. N. Andrews had arranged the hall most charmingly, conspicuous in the decorations being lovely dahlias from Mr. A. J. Shailer’s garden. Miss M. Grant presided and associated with her on the platform were Mesdames A. C. McCorkindale (Feilding) and Waring Taylor (Shannon), vice-presidents; W. G. Short (Cheltenham) secretary; S. Barnicoat (Kimbolton), treasurer; E. E. Short (Cheltenham), A. J. Will (Kongotea), A. K. Brew (Stnson), T. Lynch (Linton), F. J. Murphy (Miison), 11. H. H. Guthrie (Kangiwahia), and A. P. Easton (Foxton.) There were also present Mrs. Brine (president of the Wanganui Federation), and Mrs. A. C. Austin (representing the Busk-Waira-rapa Federation), Mrs. Millen (Wanganui) and Mrs. Burnett (Woodvilie) former executive members. Mrs. W. Howell (Raumai) was welcomed as a representative •of the Women’s Division of the Farmers ’ Union.

Proceedings opened with the National Anthem and the “Ode to Friendship.’’ The president extended a welcome to those present particularly members representing the two most recently formed institutes, Table Fiat and Parewanui, and visitors from other federations.

A welcome to the city was extended by the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) who was introduced to the gathering by the president. Mr. Mansford congratulated the institutes on their work and referred also to the exhibits at the last A. and P. Show. These, he said, showed their splendid practical work. He thought that ever greater work ia the social sphere was being done. Civilisation was now being tested and history had shown that the linal analysis of previous tests had depended on the womenfolk. What was needed to-day was a true conception of Christian values. If wo were to create a new world order based on justice and love then ws had to ineludo those ideals in our own lives. The institutes were making the most of their opportunities in that regard, and if that work went dn and was furthered throughout the country, then we need have no fear for the future.

Returning thanks to the Mayor the president assured him that the institutes were endeavouring to prove that self-effort was the key Of life and cooperation its .mainspring. An organisation of such large dimensions with the ideals of home-making, co-opera-tion and citizenship had wonderful opportunities for good which were ever kept before the members. The annual report (previously published in the “Times”) was presented by'the secretary, and the balance sheet by the treasurer. ‘ These were adopted without discussion, tributes being later paid to the executive, particularly to Mesdames Short and Barnicoat for their efficient services throughout the year. Congratulations were offered to Makino who had secured a silver cup for a handcraft display at the Hawke’s Bay Show, the cup and crafts being on view in the hall.

Election of Committee Miss C. Asliton was appointed teller and while the ballot proceeded, delegates' reports were presented and disclose a gratifying record of useful endeavour.

There was a trophy presented by Mrs A. J. Will, for the best report (decided by popular vote), the choice going to Linton, with Kopane second. Apiti and Pohangina brought forward recommendations concerning educational facilities, for the incoming committee to consider, it being pointed out that the federation had already undertaken to study secondary education in all it 3 aspects, and these matters would come in due course. Sanson’s remit, “that honours be limited in the presentation of bouquets” was lost, the consensus of opinion being that the matter was one for individual institutes. The Year’s Committee

Tho following committee was elected:—Miss M. Grant, Mesdames Barnieoat, A. K. Drew, A. I’. Easton, A. H. Guthrie, T. Lynch, Marumaru, A. McCorkindale, E. E. Short, W. G. Short, Waring-Taylor, A. J. Will. The position of president was bestowed upon Miss Grant, who was returned unopposcu and accorded musical honours in appreciation of her past services After the luncheon adjournment guests of honour welcomed included: The Mayoress, Mrs. A. E. Mansford, Mrs. H. Paterson (Pahiatua), Dominion president, and Miss A. E. Jerome Spencer (Eissington), founder of the movement in New Zealand. Enlisting Help for Cripples.

Mr. W. G. Black, president of the Manawatu-Oroua branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children's Society, described the aims and objects of the society for the surgical care, vocational training, supplying of information to parents, and after care of crippled children. The Manawatu-Oroua branch, he paid, was. one of the few that had already commenced to function. The federation could assist materially by co-operating to complete the survey of cripple cases in the district. So far 48 cases had been reported in tho district, but it was known there must be a number more. The Dominion total was approximately 5000, and it was estimated that this number increased

by 500 annually. Finance was an hnf. portant matter, for, although Lord Nuffield had made a. unique gift it was being invested to provide an annual income for thoso districts where there was no branch of the Crippled Children’s Society, and not for the' more fortunate localities where an aid society could be set in motion. The Manawatu-Oroua branch had not so far-participated in the national endow-

Annual Meeting Held

ment scheme, but it was expected that shortly the branch’s own endowment fund would bo properly organised. There was opportunity for those interested to show their support by becoming either an annual or a life member of the society, and possibly the federation would see its way clear to make a life subscription. Mr. Black added that many parents of crippled children felt a diffidence in discussing their problems and giving details of cases. The society had no wish to pry into private affairs, but, if it was to offer aid where it would be most profitable, it must do its walk continuously, and certain enquiries were, of course, necessary. Surely an incapacitated child should have equal opportunity with its more fortunate brothers and sisters, and if this was so then every member of the community should do all in his or her power to confer on the cripples all the advantages possible. Mr. Black mentioned that there was a possibility of Titania’s palace visiting New Zealand and being exhibited in Palmerston North. Iti was an entrancing and fanciful object, and had so far raised £53,000 for the succour of crippled children in various parrs of the Empire. Members should impress on their children the great desirability of seeing the palace, if it reached the district. It was certain to excite their utmost admiration, and they would moreover be assisting a worthy cause.

The president assured Mr. Black of members’ whole-hearted sympathy and co-operation and of an early announcement of the federation’s decision as to the best method of assistance. Miss Jean Stevenson, national secre tary of the Y.W.C.A., addressed . the gathering on the aims and ideals of the association, whose triangular programme was comradeship, growth and service the world over, among young people of all religions and creeds. Development of personality was the gieut motive, and in this, the Y.W.C.A. was very similar to tho’"Women’s Institute, which worked along similar lines. Any organisation for service must interest itself in youth, and in New Zealand were many places where the T.W.C.A. sought to reach out of the cities, into the country, training New Zealand’s youth, for citizenship. The only places where definite rural work had boen undertaken was at the request of different Women’s Institutes. There was opportunity for great co-operation between the two bodies, co-operation not only of presises for meeting-places, but also of spirit and activities. There was so much to be achieved in the development of personality that it could be best done by wholehearted unity of purpose. A plan to this end could probably be arrived at. Miss Mona Dean spoke of some of her musical experiences overseas. She described a visit to the Albert Hall in London to hear Handel’s “Messiah.” Every seat in the vast building was occupied early, and hundreds of singers participated. As the Hallelujah chorus began, tho whole concourse rose to its feet. The grandeur of the whole performance was a sublime experience.

Another great musical treat was the Three Choirs’ Festival in Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford, a musical festival instituted as far back as 1724. Music lovers from the whole world gathered for this musical feast in the marvellous old Gloucester Cathedral.

Miss Dean described a Welsh musical festival held in a tin pavilion among the mining folk who, though desperately poor, aspired to till the gloomy valleys with music, which offered them a great outlet.

Why could not New Zealand have great musical festivals? Why could not the federations conduct them? Once they started festival singing they would realise the great benefits it conferred. With more singing there would be Jess war, less unrest and more health. Music in New Zealand was not at a very high standard, on account of the isolation of the country. But it rested with the mothers whether music would remaiu at this low ebb, or whether they would allow their children opportunity at an early age for self-expres-sion in song. Music should be restored in the homes also. Radio was excellent in its way, but family music was something far more real and more constructive than the radio could offer. Music as a means of expression encouraged many of the highest attributes of personality.

Mrs. Barnieoat, in thanking the speaker for her address, said a new door of service opened to the institutes. There was no limit to what could be done. They had learned what wonders their fingers could work iu the crafts, and music should now be adopted as another platform for institute activity —music in the homes, at public festivals, music for the children.

The vote of thanks to .Miss Dean was conveyed by Mrs. Barnieoat. The gathering expressed regret at the departure of Miss G. Ashton, late secretary of the Y.W.C.A. in Palmerston North, and welcomed her successor, Miss P. Hindle, who was present at the meeting.

An exhibition of English folk dancing was given by a troup of girls from the Feilding Agricultural High School, trained by a member of the staff, Miss Taylor, who gave a short explanatory talk on the origin of some of the chief folk dances presented. The customs giving vogue to the various dances, said Miss Taylor, wero as interesting and essential as tho music. The various dances were executed with the utmost grace and accomplishment, and wero enthusiastically received. The dances presented were: “If Ail the World Were Paper,” “Picking Up Sticks,” “Jenny Pluck Pears,” “Indian Queen,” “Althea,” “Dargason,” Morris danco “Country Gardens,” Sword danco “Flamborough Swords. ’ ’

Mrs. Drew called for the expression of appreciation from the meeting. Miss Wright gave an address on “Food and its Relation to the Huujan

Body.” If attention were given to the food problem, sturdy- children could bo reared, she declared, for food was the major factor in health. We could learn much in the way- scientific feeding was applied to animal rearing. We must demand the proper sorts of food. There was nothing accidental about disease; it arose unerringly from disobedience of the natural Jaws. In New Zealand we were rich compared with many of the peasant peoples of the world, who nevertheless had a superior physique in consequence of their essentially simple diet. Scientists the world over were studying the problems of diet, and today everyone should demand good health as a natural birthright. Experiments had proved the vital nature of lime in the human diet; it was an element that could not be dispensed with any more than vitamins. Man in the early days was a food gatherer, then he outwitted the animals for their flesh and later became an agriculturalist. The later development had far-reaching effects on the social organisation. To-day- man was an eater of refined foods, but seldom, as he ate white bread, polished rice, etc., did he imagine that he was sowing the seeds of disease. So important was food considered to be in primitive times that rituals of magic were observed at every sowing and harvest.

In New Zealand child welfare was started at an early stage by the excellent care of babies by the Plunket Society, but it was necessary to care for children beyond the baby stage by selection of proper foods. Teeth should be the great object of care, for dental decay was a sure pointer to physTSal ills. Natural teeth should exert on food a pressure of 2501b5. per square inch, but artificial teeth could exert a pressure of only 251bs. per square inch. It was amply evident that teeth should be preserved as long as possible. It was a tragedy that a number of people still in their teens had artificial dentures.

If we ate vegetables or meats dofie ient in mineral salts, our health was bound to suffer, just as the animals themselves could not thrive oh soils lacking the proper food constituents. All tho bodily organs worked at a great rate, and it was necessary to furnish them with tho proper foods. Body building and repairing foods contained protein, without which nothing could grow. Miss Wright described the various foods which were rich in protein. Heat and energy were derived from fats, and in New Zealand butter was a plentiful energy giver that should be fully availed of. Body regulators or health givers were above all green vegetables and fruits, especially citrous. Miss Wright concluded her address by outlining tho principles of a good nourishing diet. Body regulators wero usually identical with tho foods >at were rich in vitamins —milk, vegetables, whole cereals, etc. Bran was a food of great virtues that was delicious if incorporated in scones and bread.

Two hundred women went away inspired with the ideal for 100 per cent, living, determined to mako their families into so many robust Hercules at the earliest opportunity. Mrs. A. J. Will expressed the appreciation of the meeting to Miss Wright. A comprehensive vote of thanks Was passed to all who had contributed to the success of the gathering.