Conference of the Associated Countrywomen of the World

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 144, 20 June 1936, Page 15

Conference of the Associated Countrywomen of the World

Thoughts of all our countrywomen have boeu taking wing to Washington, where the Conference of Associated Countrywomen of the World is taking place. Wo have very close association with the conference, as Miss Grant, of Palmerston North, and Mrs H. Paterson (Dominion president of Women’s Institutes), of Pahiat.ua, are representing the New Zealand Women’s Institutes. Other links are Miss Lange, of Napier, who is attending the conference as member of tho executive committee, and Mrs .McCorldndale, of Podding (standing handcrafts committee). Tho following countries are linked with tho A.C.W.W.:—Australia, Canada, Coylon, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East Africa, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Nyassaland, Palestine, Poland, Boumania,'Scotland) South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, Wales and Yugoslavia.

Tho Associated Country Women of tho World is an informal organisation wherein country women societies and individuals interested in country life and international friendship, associate thomselvos together on tho basis of common aims and aspirations. Tho association, as such, is only three years old, but it existed as an International Committee three years before that. Its authority is the triennial conference held in different parts of the world. The last conference was held in {Sweden and is known as the Stockholm Conference.

The work of the A.C.W.W. is varied

.11 character, but the aim of it all is i.o bring about active friendship between country women the world over. Jetween conferences the work is carded on by an executive committee ,vith a central office in London, where meetings are held regularly, and an .nforraation bureau is maintained. This central office is a meeting place for rural women from all tho countries concerned, who may»be living in or visiting England. The organisation is working on well delined lines and has become an established factor in international friendship. The conference just closing will be an outstanding event in the history of the A.C.W.W., proving how closm, me country women are linked in tK« «Chas of h'ome-making. Reports from each country, exhibitions of crafts, the study of music and folk lore are the factors of this great movement, developing quietly but surely on the lines of i mutual co-operation in national and international affairs. Based on tho ideals of goodwill and service, the deliberations of the Washington Conference, may well exercise a beneficent influence on tho destinies of the nations. After the conference, various tours havo been arranged for the delegates. It is interesting to know that the New Zealand delegates have taken with them examples of New Zealand crafts, including .an array of Maori mats, baskets, etc.

INTERNATIONAL LINKS OF THE A.C.W.W. An interesting exhibit attracting much attention at the National Bairy Show is the pageant of dolls included in tho display staged by the North Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes, and conies from. Wanganui. The institutes consider ! it a privilege to have obtained such a display, and are grateful to those who made it possible. Tho dolls are attached to a globe map of tho world by streamers, and are frocked to represent the many different lands in which women’s institutes or a country women’s organisation flourishes.