Dominion Council of Women’s Institutes

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 189, 11 August 1945, Page 7

Dominion Council of Women’s Institutes

At a meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Women’s Institutes, Mrs. H. Barnicoat (Wellington) Dominion president, presided over an attendance of representatives from 44 federations, only two not being represented. There were also several voluntary organisers present. An increase in the number of institutes and a great amount of patriotic work accomplished, was shown by the annual report. Institutes also supplied goods and clothing for the Polish children in camp in New Zealand and members have taken their part in much public work throughout the country. The institutes have raised a large amount of money for both patriotic and social work. Another £IOO was placed in the Victory War Loan, making a total of £SOO invested in the loan besides the £550 lent to the Government for the duration, interest-free, and a gift of £ISOO.- It was further decided that each federation donate 10s towards the cost of a bale of wool to send to Unrra; also that each institute be asked to make one patchwork quilt for Unrra. It was gratifying to find a revival in dramatic work and in this connection it was reported that headquarter’s library of plays was better than thought possible. New editions of the cookery book and pioneer tales had been completed. Another important decision made was the sending of a Dominion delegate to the next conference of the Associated Country Women of the World, which it is hoped may be held in London next year. Each member will be asked to contribute one shilling to the fund. A banner presented for the best planned programme for an institute's work during the year was won by Kaikohe Institute, and the Robert Young Cup, given to the federation showing the highest cultural work among members, went to Eastern Bay of Plenty, a small federation of only 14 institutes that showed a splendid record of work.

At the concluding session a model institute meeting was held, Miss A. Kane presiding, when matters of procedure were emphasised. The question of the proposed amalgamation with the W.D.F.U. was referred to the institutes for discussion. Floral tributes were presetted to Mrs. Barnicoat and Mrs. N. M. Burnett, editor of Home and Country, on behalf of the delegates, the presentations being made by Mrs. W. M. McClelland (Kairangn) president of Manawatu Federation.