National Council of Women

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 64, 17 March 1936, Page 11

National Council of Women

I MANAWATU BRANCH The March meeting of . the Manawatu branch of the National Council of. Women was held in the Y.W.C.A. clubrooms -yesterday, Mrs H. Paterson (Pahiatua) being voted to the chair in the absence of the president, Miss C. McKenny. Also present-Were Mesdaines Hibberd (Utiku), W. Howell (Raunmi), If. Ross (Feilding), fc>. McDowaii (Feilding), Miss Simpsoii (Marton), I Mcsdames 0. E. Niedcrer, Brideii Jones, Misses P. liindle .(acting-secre-tary) and M. Grant, Palmerston North. | There were apologies from Mcsdames Harris (Marton), A. McCorkindalc' (Feilding), Clausen (Palmerston Nortli) and Miss V. Kelly (Palmerston North). | Sympathy was expressed with Miss McKenny in. the serious illness of her sister, the acting-secretary being authorised to convoy this messago by letter. Copies of the revised constitution were made available to members. Included in the monthly letter from headquarters was an acknowledgment from the Prime Minister, Hon. M. J. Savage,,xogarding the council’s message of sympathy with the Royal family in the passing of King George V, that it would bo transmitted as requested. A further communication was from the'"South African National Council, seeking information as to the possibility of New Zealand representation at tho proposed conference in Johannesburg -im November to coincide with jubilee celebrations, or of influential women who might bo visiting South Africa at that time. ■ A report from tho Motion Pictures Exhibitors’ Association was laid on the table. < • ■ Arising out of correspondence from other centres arrangements were made for a survey of buildings in which there are, women employees in the district covered by the Manawatu'branch, reports to- be brought to the April meeting. A satisfactory • discussion took place on the subject brought forward to the February meeting :■ by All Saints’ branch of, the Mothers’ Union. At the request, of Mrs Niederer au interesting.' address, given recently by Miss Elsie Andrews, of New Plymouth, on ‘‘Women’s Place in Civic Life,” was, read to the meeting. Miss Andrews held that the problem for woman was to find a substitute for her oldtime occupations and, to find outlets for her thlents. She’ asked women to consider, were they treated fairly in New Zealand—educationally, legally, politically and economically? She also dealt with the special duty of women in the cause of peace. She did not believe it would come until women wero more active in its eauso and untill they had clarified their minds on tho subject. Tho address concluded: “We ask, and it is necessary that Ave should obtain, exactly the same freedom of ehoice and opportunity which are the hcritago of man —no more and no less; and avo ask these things because we realiso that true progress is dependent upon the highest development of intelligence.” Tho address gave rise to considerable discussion on the various points enumerated.

A financial statement prepared by Mr Bull 'was approved, to bo finalised for the annual meeting in May.