WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21554, 27 July 1933, Page 11

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

PROGRESS DURING YEAR GRATIFYING DEVELOPMENTS BUSINESS AT CONFERENCE [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CIIRISTCnURCH, Wednesday Tho Dominion conference of New Zealand Women's Institutes opened to-day and was tho largest and most representative ever held. Miss Amy Kane, of Wellington, presided over 250 visiting delegates, and many Canterbury representatives, who wero welcomed by Mrs. \V. Deans, president of tho North Canterbury Federation, Mrs. L. E. Williams, president of tho South Canterbury Federation, Colonel Studholmo and Dr. Hight, rector of Canterbury College. Miss Kane, replying to tho welcome, said that last year there was an attendance of 100 delegates, so that tho present gathering represented a considerable advance. "Let us advance our ideal* as wo have our numbers, and from this point go forward/' she said. Applause followed tho reading of a message of greeting from Miss A. E. Jerome Spencer, who was representing tho Now Zealand Institutes at an international conference of country women's organisations at Stockholm. Tho delegates wero later tendered a civic welcome by tho Mayor, Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., who expressed high admiration of the great progress of the movement and of tho part played by women in tho present trying times. Expectations Exceeded Tho annual report stated that tho movement had progressed beyond all expectations. Thero wero now 635 institutes, with an approximate membership of 30,000. This membership covered 15 federations, an increase of two, with several more to bo formed in tho near future. A gratifying development during the year had been the co-operation with agricultural and horticultural societies. Tho institutes had made close contact with tho New Zealand branch of the British Drama League. In November of last year tho first Dominion handicrafts exhibition was staged in Wellington. Tho standard of workmanship in crafts was steadily improving and women were using tho materials at hand —wool and skins especially being utilised in many practical forms. An endeavour was made to find a wider market for Now Zealand butter and honey, many institutes sending gifts to their "links." A gratifying response had been received in tho warm interest shown in New Zealand through tho medium of letters and gifts. Tho social sido of tho institutes had advanced along with the work, CO7l- - the report. Following the friendly arbitration of the Governor-General, the constitution had been reviewed by a. delegation from tho Dominion and Auckland executives, with tho result that the constitution as adopted at the last conference had been amended. The executive desired that tho amended constitution be tried for this year at least. In this connection tho Dominion executive desired to placo on record its very great appreciation of tho interest in women's institutes shown by the Governor-General, not only in this matter, but at all times. Rest Cottage Scheme Tho rest cottage scheme inaugurated at Paraparaumu Beach in September, 1932, aroused much interest and proved a stimulus to other federations, an outstanding example being the cottage opened at The Mount by the Bay of Plenty Federation. Tho executive requested the institutes to look into the question of headquarters finance and to ease tho constant strain on the energy of those at headquarters who have been endeavouring, not; unsuccessfully, to mako bricks without straw. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £224, compared with a credit at the beginning of the year of £B4. Affiliation fees totalled £2lB, donations £l6O and profits on sales of literature £■ll. Expenses for tho year were £394. Tho secretary, Airs. 11. Kelso, prea Balance-sheet of the institute magazine, Home and Country, which showed subscriptions totalling £453, cash in hand £52, and expenses £479. Text of Resolutions The following resolutions were carried:—That all nominations for the Dominion executive be accompanied by their qualifications for their work. That it bo a. recommendation to area federations that, to help to maintain the informal nature of the group system, each group should consist of not more than 10 and not fewer than four institutes, except in exceptional circumstances. That it bo a recommendation to institutes that each member of institute committees in all parts of New Zealand should wear a distinctive badge. That all institutes make a voluntary contribution toward rest-houses,, so that any member requiring rest and being unable to pay £1 a week, may, have the privilege by applying to the district federation. Support was promised for a request by Dr. W. Irving that the conference urge on the Government tho need for tho erection of an obstetrical hospital in Dunedin. Lady Wigrain, on behalf of the lied Cross Society, gave an address concerning the movement throughout tho world, and asked the delegates to help tho lied Cross, tiie aim being to have a branch in every town and village in Now Zealand.