Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

Women’s Division of The Farmers’ Union

ANNUAL MEETING OF CENTRAL COUNCIL

The annual meeting of the Wellington Central Provincial Council was held in tho Druids’ Hall, Marton, on Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. J. A. Harris (president) presided over delegates from Bonny Glen, Makirikiri, Feilding, Halcombe, Kakariki, Hunterville, Ivoeke, Marton, Palmerston North, Pukeroa, Rata, Putorino, Taihape, Turakina, Tutaenui, Utiku, Mangaweka, Kimbolton, Iviwitea, Motuiti, Rongotea. The annual report stated that the membership, had increased, and keen interest has been shown in branch and provincial activities. “I wish to congratulate my committee, branch presidents, their committees and members for their untiring efforts in making their work a success, and to also thank them for their loyal support. The members join with me in passing a special vote of thanks and appreciation to the following officials: Mesdames Field, Howell, Howie, Scott, Fergusson and Misses Mathieson and Blunden. Our affiliation with the National Council of Women and the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association is helping us to realise the growth of ‘world citizenship,’ and should, through tho radio and cinema, enable us to have a better understanding of which others were doing and thinking. Two outstanding events which had been of particular interest to the Wellington Central Provincial are the opening of tho Dominion rest home at Palmerston North and the homemakers’ course inaugurated at Massey College. Your committee regrets that they are unable to arrange a girls ’ educational week this, year, but in its place have made a recommendation that senior and junior branches have trained nurses to demonstrate first aid and home nursing. It is with great pleasure that I realise the growing interest of junior members. Members are asked to give more consideration to discussions at branch meetings .on .the . many difficulties which face the rural population, also to coordinate on every possible occasion with the Farmers’ Union. Agriculture, is the economic foundation of civilisation. The protective foods are too dear and it is the men and women who are so vitally concerned with the produc* tion and distribution of foodstuff, the essential of life, who must have a great er knowledge and understanding so that they can give the desired and helpful contribution to humanity. By learning to think rightly about our nation’s life as a whole and by individual efforts to wards enriching that life, we can best i serve our country either in the day ol peace or in the time of grave necessity as in our devotion to God, self musi be forgotten in face of the far larger issues which caii for our unremitting labour and service.—Mrs. J. A. Harris, president. ’ ’ The annual report was adopted and thanks conveyed to Mrs. Harris for its excellence. Mrs. Howell presented the balancesheet and was accorded thanks for the satisfactory position. Following the opening prayer and creed, Mrs. Harris extended a welcome to all ladies, especially Mrs. Davis (Rongotea), who has been indisposed for some time. A motion of sympathy for those who have been bereaved during the last 12 mouths was carried by members standing in silence. Mrs. D. Simpson, who is at present on her way to England, forwarded a letter to the provincial thanking them for their telegram of good wishes and wishing the provincial a successful year. The April branch wrote asking if it would be possible to hold provincial meetings on a day other than a Tues day, because of interfering with their branch meetings. A recommendatioJ was made to the incoming committee that provincial meetings be held on th« first Wednesday of the month. With the object of stimulating inter* est in the branches outside fo Taihape, it was decided to hold a rally at Taihape at which members of the executive are to attend. It was suggested by Mrs. Harris that the provincial support a paid organiser to travel round the district and keep branches in the backblocks informed with provincial matters.

A remit, “That tho branches, in place of Educational Week, apply for local trained nurses to demonstrate first aid and home nursing to their members,” provoked a discussion. It was pointed out by Mrs. Harris that owing to various reasons it was impossible to hold the usual Educational Week in Palmererston North this year. “We are living in an uncertain age and it behoves us all to be ready for any emergencies,” said Mrs. F. R. H. Brice, in supporting the remit. Mrs. W. F. Field considered it a pity that tho Educational Week should have to be abandoned. She asked whethei the first aid courses would be attractive enough to keep young girls interested in the branches. It was announced that tho charge foi each lecture would be 3s. The remit was carried and Mrs. Brice was thanked for her offer to act as convener. A tribute was paid by Mrs. Harris to tho work of Mrs. Niederer, who has now left the district. Mrs. Niederer was associated with organisation work and the Girls’ Education Week, and had given a valuable contribution to the work of the W.D.F.U., said Mrs. Harris. The secretary was instructed to forward a letter of appreciation. Mrs. Field presented the housekeepers’ report, indicating that 118 engagements had been.fulfilled and 525 individuals had benefited, 27 being nonmembers. Mrs. Feild was congratulated

on her report, for the year had been a strenuous one. Miss Matheson presented her report as hospital visitor, having taken books magazines, fruit, etc., sent in by W.D. members, which had been greatly appreciated. Miss Matheson also reported on the activities of the National Council of Women. Thanks were conveyed to Miss Matheson for this service. Mrs. E. Scott, retiring secretary, was thanked for her faithful work during tho year, having proved herself most painstaking and interested. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs. J. A. Harris (Tuxa* kina); vice-presidents, Mesdames S. Lodge (Kiwitea), F. Howie (Taihape), J. Lilburn (Hunterville), L. Hebberd (Utiku); secretary, Mrs. E. B. Jennings (Palmerston North), in place of Mrs. E. Scott (Feilding), who did not seek re-election. “Mrs. Scott has been most gracious and helpful on all occasions,” said Mrs. Harris, in moving a vote of appreciation for the services of the secretary. Housekeeeping secretary, Mrs. W. F. Field (Palmerston North); treasurer, Mrs. W. Howell (Raumai); committee, Mesdames W. Davis (Rongotea), R. Gibbs (Taihape), ScottMaundroll (Hunterville), J. Pearman (Mangaweka), J. Harvey (Rata); hospital visitor. Miss M. Matheson; advisory members to provincial, Mesdames Hibberd and D. Buchanan; drama secretary, Mrs. N. Fergusson (Koeke); juniors, Miss V. Blunden (Halcombe); delegates to N.C.W., Mesdames Lodge, Field, Harris, and Miss Matheson; delegates to conference, Mesdames Harris, Howell, Field, Howe and Hebberd; press correspondent, Mrs. Howie (Koeke). “Life in Shanghai” Mr. H. Graham, of Shanghai, then gave an interesting address on “Life in Shanghai,” and on the motion of Mrs. Howio he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation. The delegates and visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the Marton branch, who were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for their hospitality.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19390511.2.157.5

Bibliographic details

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 15

Word Count
1,161

Women’s Division of The Farmers’ Union Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 15

Women’s Division of The Farmers’ Union Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 15