GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 8 November 1912, Page 6

GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY

NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE

'The first New Zealand Conference of the Girls' Friendly Society opened at Bishopscourt, Auckland, this week, Bishop Crossley presiding. The following delegates were present: —Mrs Crossley, president; Mrs Butler (Auckland), ISrs Seddon, /Mrs Wood (Christchurch), Miss Griffin (Waiapu), Miss Pollen, Miss Morrah (Wellington), Mrs Harley, Miss Sadd (Nelson). Bishop-Crossley, in the course of an address, tendered the delegates a very cordial welcome to Auckland. The work before' them, he said, was very lmportant,"and his help would always be aTailable. The Girls' Friendly Society as it existed in England, had always been a little defective, in his judgment, in the way of savouring of too much of a patronage society. It was quite evident that in a land like NewZealand anything like patronage or condescension would not be acceptable, and those at the head of affairs would have to go to the girls, not as supenoTs, but rather as women and friends. It was his hope that the delegates would take into consideration the bearing of the life of leisure upon the life of employment in New Zealand, and that they would consider how best to federate, and how best to bring community of mThe meeting then adjourned to discuss the constitution, and some necessary alterations were made. The visiting delegates were welcomed by the Auckland branches of the Girls 'Eriendly Societies in the evening at St. Sepulchre's Parish Hall. Mrs Crossley briefly->introduced /the visitors, and spoke words of welcome. The remainder of > the evening was purely of J* social musical items being contributed by Mrs<.Parkes, Miss Gardner, Miss Kenderdine, and MissSoutheyBaker. Mrs Julius (Christchurch), Mrs Crossley (Auckland), and Mrs Sadier (Nelson) were elected as a Dominion Executive, with power to guide the policy of the Society in the Dominion. It was agreed that Lady Liverpool should be asked to take ' the position of Dominion President.