WOMEN ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 16

WOMEN ON THE LAND.

THE FARMERS' UNION. GROWTH OF THE DIVISION. It is some years now since the Women's Division of the 1' arriiers' Ijnion was formed. This organisation has grown from a small handful of 22 women to a Dominion-wide organisation with 212 branches and over 8000 members, with a widely-extended sphere of usefulness. While the Farmers' Union is working in the farmers' interest mostly in an economic way, the Women's Division is endeavouring to help the women and children on the land. This work is principally of a philanthropic and social nature. The organisation is strictly non-sectarian and non-party political. It strives to obtain better facilities for education, nuising, dental and medical treatment and domestic help for the country. Rest rooms for women have been built and 1' lock House boys and girls have lieen cared for by the 'division. The Dominion Book Club is doing a great service in supplying large quantities of good literature to all parts of the country. Lack of funds forms the only brake on the progress of the division. The visiting housekeeper scheme, whereby a farmer's wife may have a reliable woman in to take charge or assist for a week or a month is well established, especially in the North Island. I.his service is available to every country woman. It is not a charity, but no one in need of help is refused. Lrom 38 to 58 housekeepers are out constantly and the scheme is also opening up a calling for farmers' daughters. In the Waikato the Women's Division is firmly established, and is actively engaged in working for the benefit of the farming community.