NOTES FOR WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10634, 6 July 1920, Page 9

NOTES FOR WOMEN

WOMEN TEACHERS’ A general meeting of the Women Teachers’ Association (W cllington branch) ivns held last night in the Education Hoard’s room in fiercer street. Miss N. E. Coad, M.A., presided over a good attendance. A letter was received from the secretary of tho Education Board stating that in reply to the memorandum (asking for hostels for teachers) that "in view of the .insistent and widespread demand for additional hostel accommodation roi* secondary pupils and training college students in various quarters, if will bo impossible for tho department to entertain for tho present proposals of tho kind suggested in your memorandum." A letter was received from tho N.Z.E. 1., Wellington branch, stating that it was proposed to .erect a permanent cenotaph on the site of the ono erected for Anzac Bay from tho school children of Wellington district, and asking tho association to send delegates to a conference. Thd object was approved, and the association decided to be represented if possible. A letter was read from the National Council of Women, stating that in response to a letter received from the W.T.A., the council (passed a resolution advocating that in all future school buildings ■,special provision should be made for assembly rooms, cloak rooms, and staff rooms, and adequate heating, and that the resolution had been sent to the' principal educational authorities in Wellington and to the men’s and women’s sections of the Town-planning Association, and to members of Parliament. The meeting endorsed the action of the council. Speaking to this matter. Miss Myers brought forward the matter of the Terrace Gaol site, which is to be handed over for a school, and said that special provision should be made in planning out the site for the infant school to see that it was placed in tho best, position. Expert opmaon should be obtained for such planning, and the time to obtain such opinion was now. not to wait until the site was ready for building operations. If not done now it might be found later that mistakes had been made. .

Miss Williams (in the place of Miss Acheson, who .was unable to attend) gave some account of the conference held between primary teachers and the Minister, touching on points which especially received consideration. That the second assistant (mistress) occupied as important' a position in a large school as the infant mistress now seemed to be recognised, and that the speaker thought was a point gained. Miss Coad spoke of tho conference with secondary school teachers, saying that there the women had not, she thought, received fair treatment. She instanced the fact that with equal qualifications a woman started at four-fifths the salary as a man. One reason given was domestic qualifications on the partof men. She pointed out, however, that no such provision was made on behalf of women teachers. Tho matter was discussed by the meeting, and the following resolution was passed:— That the proposed differentiation between the salaries of men and women teachers In secondary schools, is unfair in the following respects:—(a) In the payment of single men as well as married ones on tho basis of domestic responsibilities, while any such responsibilities are ignored in tbe chso of all women, (b) In the proposed differentiation of salary in the case of men and women entrants in secondary schools, where qualifications and capabilities uvo equal, and where the question of domestic responsibilities, does not enter. A matter set down for discussion was the proposed tooth-brush drill in infant schools. In this conneotion a letter was received from the Otago branch of tho association stating that that branch had passed the following resolution: — “That the Otago branch, of the New Zealand Women Teachers’ Association wish to protest against the introduction of tooth-brush drill as part of the school curriculum for the infant department. Even did the already full syllabus admit of the time for it, such a drill would bo highly impracticable, as well as radically wron-; in principle, it being generally recognised that children should be taught to perform their ablutions and to clean their teeth before leaving home, and not after coming to school." In tho discussion that took place it seemed generally felt that such teaching should be done bv the parent and not the teacher. Speaking: on the matter Miss Myers said that under present conditions in our schools such a remedy would but tend to increase disease. Bach child would require a separate place for its mug and 1 brush, and how could this be obtained, and again how many taps were there in our school grounds two or three at the most. . Unless such reforms can he carried out under tho best conditions they were best left alone. Then, too, the teacher should supplement, not supplant tho parent’s duties. It should bo their endeavour to make the children'take a pride in coming to school after performing such duties and tho parents should aid in this matter. To introduce tho drill would tend to lessen tho child’s, need of its mother, and her responsibility and care for him. The speaker thought such reforms would be better if made after consultation with those who would have to carry (hem out. Moreover, if done it should be first in a limited number of schools to see tho result and each school should bo fitted out for tho purpose, so l that there was every chance of success. A small subcommittee was finally set up, and after consultation it brought down tho following report, which was adopted by tbe meeting:—This meeting of women teachers recognises the need for the spread of hygienic principles among the children ami sympathises with tho attempt of tho department in its proposed measures of reform with regard to dental hygiene, but would respectfully call attention to certain facts which make such a proceeding impracticable of successful treatment. (1) Indiscriminate treatment interferes with blip privilege of tho parents and undermines homo influence; (2) the unhygienic conditions of our schools and lack of facilities, together with the large size of tho classes, are liable to increase disease; (3) a conference of the authorities and the teachers concerned might enable a satisfactory means of inaugurating this desirable reform, and it is hoped that such a conference will be arranged. It was 1 decided to forward tho report to the education authorities. '

MOTHERS’ HELP SOCIETY. A meeting of tho Mothers’ Help Diviftion, W.N.R., was held yesterday afternoon. ills J. Burling presided, and there were also present Mesdames Porter, Bethuno. Bayfield, Coleridge, Hall, Bymock, Logan, Shand, and Ahcarii (hon. secretary). )A report of tho visiting helpers was received, and showed such good work being done in the way of helping mothers in their own homes that it was found desirable in view of the groat need for such help and the constant requests to engage another helper. This makes the fourth whom the division have engaged. A letter was read from a mother who had received help, and who has left Wellington, in which she said:—“l think tho very least I cun do is to send you a lino and tell you how very much I appreciated the help sent from the M.H.D. For several months in Wellington I was desperate for help, arid being a comparative stranger there it made things harder, so you can imagine how thankful 1 was when I heard-,of tho Mothers' 1 -Help Division, and secured the help of Miss B. and tho other girls who are carrying on such unselfish work, and think the women of tho reserve who organised ami promoted tho division deservo tho greatest credit. Wishing the division much good lick in the future."' Many other letters have also been received thanking the committee for the help given.

A report, of the deputation, who waited on the Minister for Internal Affairs was received, and a letter from the secretary was received stating that ATOO would be granted the division for-.this work. Much appreciation was expressed at this generous grant. Tho matron of tho rest room in Courtenay place reported that 98 mothers and children used the rest room during tho month, and 30 children were left there while their mothers went away on shopping business. Mrs Porter stated that she- had received letters from New Plymouth, Nelson. Oamaru, and Auckland from women who used the room while passing through or visiting Wellington, and expressed great appreciation for tho provision of such a place. ’ A mother wrote stating that after hearing of the room she had made use of it on several occasions to rest in with her baby. Sho added:—“l thought I would like to tell you what a comfort I found tho rest rooms. Previously 1 had either to rush to town leaving baby with her grandmother and scramble through my business and return rs quickly ns possible, or else take baby and postpone her feeding hour. I wish you every success in tho undertaking. Nowadays things are not easy for the mother of young children, and it must be a great satisfaction to have found such ‘a splendid way of helping us.” Letters such as this are much appreciated by tho -committee, (showing that the right thing is being done in the way of helping, mothers. Tha following donations were acknowledged with thanks; —Visiting Helpers Fund. A 3 from an anonymous donor; Mrs Hobbs, A 1 Is; Mrs Withers, 10s; for the Rest Boom, Mrs Bethune, vases; Mrs White, flowers; Mrs Farmer, 2s; gifts of. clothing from Mesdames Swan, Fleming, Glover, Baldwin, King, Shand, Ahearn. Hadfield, Weston. Goldie, Cul-ford-Bell, and 15, Burnell avenue. Gifts of children’s clothing are particularly appreciated for the matron; and also-the visiting helpers funds; many cases arise in the course of their work where children badly need warm clothing, and if sent to the rest room it will be of great assistance to some* hard pressed mother of smalt children.

PLHNKET MEETING, The monthly meeting of- the Roval Now Zealand Society for .the Health" of Women and Children was held in tho Pluukec rooms, 3, Courtenay place, on Thursday last. There wero present Mrs W. F. Massey (in tho chair), Mesdames MiaVioax. Ponfcohby, Chapman), Cook, VV. Luke, Wilkins. Reekie, W. H. Ward, Coates, Bind, Tripe, Eoarle, Tyibhe-Brown Paris, Masses Rilc/yJ, Kirkcaklte. and Barnett. Apologies were received from Lady Stout, Mesdames W.' Nathan, Parr, Bethune, and S. Kirkoaldie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and accounts passed for payment. The maintenance for tho month was A 67 11s Sd- The hon. treasurer acknowledges tho following donations:—Mrs B. 0. Peacock, A 5 ss; Mrs A. R.-Andrew,“Al. -Subscriptions: Mesdames S. Kirkcnldie, W. J. Grey, A2 2s each; Br. Collins, Al Is; Mesdames B. C. Peacock, J. Gear, Haughton. McCabe an'd Mcßae, AX Is each; Mrs W. F. Ward and Mrs Paxr. Al each; Mrs A. Levy and Mrs Hoby, 10s 6d oacb; Mesdames Pears,, El vinca, Eotheram, and J. M. Richardson, 10s each; Mrs Bird, 8s; Mesdames M. Myers, Peterson, Tringham, Kirkcaldio, Hudson, Dowling, Connell and Castle. 5s each; Mrs Copp, 4s 6d: Mns Steven, 2s 6d. For Sewing Guild, Mrs Watt (per sale of flowers), Hs; Mrs Ponson.by, 10s; Mrs Kotheram, A 5 for garments. Tho com. mitteo gratefully acknowledges tho sum of A2OO from tho late T. G. Macarthy Board of Trustees. Nurse Mitchell read the nurses monthly report, which was very satisfactory. Visits to rooms, 756; visits to homes, 500; new cases. 77; solely breastfed, 60; partially breastfed, 5; artificially fed, 22; expectant mothers, 26; mothers taught to make humanised milk. 36. The nurses also wish to thank all those who gave donations, both in clothes and money, in response to their urgent appeal for baby clothes. The general conference of the society is to bo held in Wellington on July 20th to the 23rd, and (the following delegates from the Wellington branch were appointed:—Tho president (Mrs W. F. Massey), tho hon. secretary (Mrs Paris). Mns McVicar. Mrs Chapman. Mrs Earle, Mrs Tythe-Brown, and Miss Barnett, On tho invitation of the Free Kindergarten Association some of tho members attended a meeting of representatives of the Women’s Societies held last week to discuss the milk shortage. The public i« reminded that subscriptions are now duo aUd all those interested in the work of the society are asked to send their subscriptions to the acting treasurer. Miss Barnett, 40. .Hobson street.

A meeting of the Household Orderlies’ Association was hold at the Pioneer Club on July Ist. Dr Agnes Bennett presided. Reports were received' from sub-coromit-tees indicating good progress, and Miss Irene Tate was appointed matron-secre-tary. .It is hoped to have tho first district hostel, in Kolburn, ready in a short time to receive women under the age of 28 for training. As soon as tho orderlies prove themselves competent, household work will be undertaken—the orderly living in tho hostel and going regularly to work in tho same way as office or warehouse workers. Dr and Mrs Garcia Webster returned yesterday from a holiday in Hawko’s Bay. i Mrs L. Blundell, of Wellington, and Mrs Clay, have been on a visit to Napier.