Provincial Executive of W.D.F.U.

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 266, 8 November 1941, Page 3

Provincial Executive of W.D.F.U.

MEETING AT FEILDING The quarterly meeting of the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in Feilding yesterday, when representatives were present from Marton, Halcombo, Turakina, Apiti, Hunterville, Kimbolton, Kiwitea, Mangaweka, Palmerston North, Pukeroa, Rangiwahia, Eongotea, Tutaemii and Feilding branches. The president, Mrs. J. A. Harris, of Turakina, presided and associated with her were Mesdames L. M. Millard, of Bainesse (secretary), A. M. Jennings (treasurer) and W. Field, of Palmerston North (housekeeping secretary). The morning’s activities comprised a committee meeting, when members representing the North Wellington provincial district were met. Mrs. Howie, of Koeke, was complimented on the formation of a provincial and it was decided that the next inter-provincial meeting be held in March in Palmerston North.

Proceedings in the afternoon opened with prayer and the division’s creed, after which the president extended a cordial welcome to delegates, visitors and members. Mrs. N. Barrer, of Mas* terton, was the speaker-guest and the visitor held the gathering’s attention with an inspiring address on the abolition of crime punishment and instanced cases where crime had increased since the abolition of flogging. Mrs. Barrer incorporated the division’s creed in her urge to members to “(go straight-for ward and unafraid.” The ipeeting supported two remits to be recommended to the National Council of Women and to conference, a protest being made against the abolition of capital punishment and flogging and asking that these be reinstated in the penal code. The view that in accordance with the remit of 1934, a delegation urging the review of the interdeterminate sentence, as recommended by the prison board, be sent to the Minister of Justice, was passed. Other views to be brought to the notice of the National Council of Women were those regarding the establishment of nursery schools and kindergartens, the encouragement of Girl Guide and Boy Scout movements, the enforcement of a curfew for children under fourteen years, compulsory saving tor young people without dependents, the support of the League of Mothers and the Mothers’ Union, observance of prayer in the home, publicity in connection with nutrition, the introduction of serving non-alcoholic liquors at dances and the prevention of crime picture screenings at cinemas.

It was agreed that a kowhai tree in memory of the late Mrs. Poison, the founder of the W.D.F.U. in the Dominion, be planted on behalf of the provincial district. Miss Matheson, the hospital visitor, was granted the same amount as the previous year for hospital cheer, while it was resolved that a garden party be organised in Palmerston North in February or March to aid the rest home. The next provincial meeting will be held on February 10 in Marton.

The serving of afternoon tea and the singing of the National Anthem brought the meeting to a close.