WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21769, 7 April 1934, Page 18

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

WAIKATO FEDERATION ACTIVITIES DURING YEAR [from OTjR own correspondent] HAMILTON. Friday A large and enthusiastic gathering -of women took place at the Y.M.C.A., Hamilton, to-day, on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Waikato Federation of Women's Institutes. There were over 160 delegates and members present, and of the 61 institutes associated with the federation 41 were represented. Delegates from as far south as Taupo and as far north as Waerenga were in attendance. Others present included Mrs. H. Patterson, president of the Dominion council, Mrs. R. Kelso, organising secretary -l'or New Zealand, Mrs. S. Phillips, president of the Auckland federation. Mrs. A. M. Robson presided. The Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, extended a cordial welcome to the delegates, and complimented them on the excellent work the institutes were doing. 'Mr. W. E. Clark, president of the Waikato Winter Show Association, also welcomed the delegates and offered them the continued co-operation of his association in connection with the women's institutes' courts at the Waikato Winter Show. 1 u reviewing the year's work, Mrs. Robson said that 16 new institutes had been formed, and that the institutes now affiliated with the Waikato Federation extended from Taupo and Kakahi in the south to Waerenga in tlu> north. The federation had established a rest cottage, and institutes had conducted courts at the Waikato Winter Show and displays of flowers at the Hamilton horticultural show. The federation had affiliated with the National Council of Women and the British Drama League. New groups had been formed at Ohinewai, Taupiri and Matamata. Mrs. Robson spoke appreciatively of the work of the honorary organisers, secretary and treasurer. The statement of accounts showed that the receipts totalled £lsl and that the credit balance stood at £37. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mrs. A. M. Robson; committee, Mesdames Chisholm, Earle, Kelly, Williams, Patterson, Picken, Miss Hills; secretary, Mrs. R. Harsant; treasurer, Mrs. F. G. MarxJ Mrs. Patterson commended the movement to form groups within the federation and said that they did much to stimulate interest in such objects as the drama, folk-dancing and festivals. The members of the federation should pool their energies and do all they could to promote peace. The nation,

she said, should never stumble into war again, and women should do all they could to prevent war. Mrs. Patterson recommended members to do all thev could to promote health. Full use should be made of members who, by their training and experience could, by and talks, contribute to women's greater knowledge in this <}irection. Mrs. Patterson also spoke of the work of the federation in the Auckland district. Mrs. G. Chapman said that the members of the Fairfield Institute tfould gladly visit any members of country institutes who were inmates of the AVaikato Hospital. The following resolution was passed: —"That the Government be urged to fulfil its promise to build the obstetrical hospital." DISTRICT GROUP FORMED There was an attendance of about ]oo members of various women's institutes in the district in the Matainjita Town Hall yesterday, when Mrs. Patterson, of Pahiatua (Dominion president), gave an address and urged the formation of a district group. The branches represented were Fairfield, Hinuera, Lichfield, Matamata, Mokai, Pa / hiatua, Whatawhata, Pangiwahia, Turangamonna, To Poi, Taihoa, Te . XTku, Waharoa, Walton, Wardville, f Waitoa and North Rotokauri. Mrs. H. E. Schofield, president of the Matamata branch, presided, and also ou the platform with Mrs. Patterson were Mrs. W. A. Gordon, Mrs. R. Harsant (secretary of the Waikato federation) and the presidents of some 32 branches. Speeches were made by Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Gordon on the value of thought force in the cause of world peace, and the former explained in detail the power which could be wielded in community life by a district group. On the motion of Mesdames C. Mapp and D. R. Gunn it was unanimously decided to form a district group to cover the Putaruru and Matamata districts.