Luncheon Party for Mrs. Alfred Watt, M.B.E.

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 290, 8 December 1936, Page 11

Luncheon Party for Mrs. Alfred Watt, M.B.E.

MEETING WITH W.D.F.U. More than 70 representatives of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union met at the Kclburn kiosk, Wellington, on Saturday to welcome and bid farewell to Mrs. Alfred Watt, president of Associated Countrywomen of the World.' This was the iirst time Mrs. Watt had had the opportunity of meeting members of tho W.D.F.U. Members came from Palmerston North, Feilding, Mastcrton, Grey town, Feathorston, Plimmorton and Upper Hutt. Tho Dominion officials present included Mrs. C. K. Wilson, Pio Pio, who presided; Mrs. W. J. Poison, Fordell, a foundation member; Mrs. Duncan Simpson, Marton; and Mrs. T. R. Barrcr, Mastcrton. Mrs. Wilson welcomed Mrs. Watt and outlined tho growth of tho division since its inception in 1925. She told of the part country women are taking in social activities and the country’s affairs.

Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. Barrer also spoke.

, Mrs. Watt gave a most interesting account of her activities connected with the Associated Countrywomen of tho World, and of the W.D.F.U. as an affiliated member of that body. She stressed the need for unity and for creating a friendly ideal among country women and for being in the highest senso good neighbours as well as good citizens. Mrs. Watt said that through meeting country women of other nationalities a spirit of fellowship and friendship is being cultivated, and she added that it was hoped that this would do more than anything ultimately to bring about world peace than would political agencies. .Among other things Mrs. Watt mentioned was the fact that New Zealand would be represented, us >ar as possible, at the next triennial conference, to be held in England.

She told of the intenso interest taken in tho last conference at Washington, when 7000 American women demonstrated their keen interest in the w r ork by attending from all over the country. Mrs. Watt emphasised that the organisation was an elastic and exceedingly simple one, and told of its remarkable success in so short a time. She stressed that the fellowship was non-poKtical and non-sectarian, and that at their conference no discussion of a political nature was allowed. She expressed her deep interest in the activities of the W.D.F.U. and her pleasure at meeting officials and members of the organisation.

Several members spoke in deep appreciation of Mrs. Watt’s visit. Luncheon followed, when all present took the opportunity of meeting the guest of honour and discussing the interesting topics to which they had been listening.

CO-ORDINATION" COMMITTEE SUGGESTED. FOR W.I. AND W.D.F.U. Mrs. Alfred Watt was requested by the women’s institutes to give an opinion about the possibility of the two organisations (the W.I. and the W.D.F.U.) amalgamating to a certain extent, as their work is largely of the same character. Mrs. Watt gave her opinion reluctantly, as she did not wish in any way to interfero with the local government of any affiliated society of tho A.C.W.W. However, she had expressed her ideas on tho subject to ,the

W.I. and was asked to tell the W.D.F.U. what they were. “No formal amalgamation had so far been made,’’ said Mrs. Watt to members of the W.D.F.U. in Wellington on Saturday, “among any societies a»iiliatcd to the A.C.W.W., but co-ordination committees are possible.’’ If such a committee were set up to prevent overlapping and to increase interest in the work done by both societies, there should be an equal number of representatives on each committee, with iiftcrchangcablo chairmen, and these representatives could discuss work aud make arrangements for the branches vrttli their consent. She felt that if there were some joint representation there would bo bettor delegations at the big conferences wfoich meant so much, were informative, anS made for closer bonds of friendship. Also the delegates could speak with more certainty if they represented all the countrywomen of the Dominion and knew exactly what they wanted. She also mentioned tho possibility of Governmental assistance benefiting all if there was one body insteatl of two. By thus co-ordinating the societies could find out their mutual interests, get to know each other better, and make a more powerful body when trying to accomplish reforms or to remove disabilities. Adult education was ono of the big questions taken in hand by {lie A.C.W.W., and if there was a scheme of the kind it must be taken in .harm by both societies, and the aid given by the Otago University homo science department could become general throughout the Dominion. Tb.c whole matter needed quiet consideration, and no changes should be “rushed,’’ If they decided to do anything it must be well considered and a constitutional status arrived at. Personally, Mrs. Watt felt that a great thing was to tackle a few things well and not to scatter interests too widely. She had perfect confidence in the good sense of both organisations, and was sure that something good would come out of a nearer approach, specially from the international point of view.