W.D.F.U.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 17

W.D.F.U.

Every paper caters for the farm, the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, and the farm home. AU countrywomen would wish that the country school might do likewise. At the present time there is a movement to establish dental clinics and special classes for backward children in the country’, but these will be permanently established when there are centralised schools.

During September there has been much activity everywhere, new’ branches of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union being formed at Uruti, Otaucau, Matamata, Ohakune, Te Arolia, Temuka. Motukarara, Dunsandel, and Thornbury, besides a number in Otago and Central Otago. Lectures and demonstrations have everywhere proved most successful and instructive. At Manaia Mr Emmett gave an address on “ The League of Nations ” to 150 members, while at Hawera Mr Niblock gave an interesting lecture. Al Okaiawa w r ell attended meetings are being held in private homes to cultivate mutual sympathies among neighbours. At Auroa Messrs Gaylard and Smith gave an interesting address on rearing chickens and the work of the egg circle. A demonstration on making electric light shades will shortly be given, also one on cutting out and putting together different patterns. The Hawera branch entertained three Flock House boy's and one public school boy sent out under the Church of England immigration scheme. A pleasant time was spent with music and elocutionary items. The Manawatu branch is sending two representatives to attend a meeting of women’s organisations to discuss picture programmes for the young. They are sending also ten guineas to the community chest. The Makairo and Kaukapakapa branches held very successful meetings.

During last month the Dominion Executive spent £6O in helping people throughout the country with housekeepers and clothing where necessary. An important event took place at Wanganui, when the fourth birthday was celebrated in the Victoria League rooms. Well over 100 were present from Palmerston to Taranaki, presided over by Mrs Wickham. This is a particularly live branch, which sends visitors to the Public Hospital regularly and to the maternity homes to cater for the welfare °! country women and babies, besides giving great assistance to other humane organisations. The W’.D.F.U. has a total of 15 life members, nine of whom belong to this branch. A life membership costs £5, which is put into a sinking fund.

At Gore Mesdames Milne and Edwards gave an interesting resume of their trip to Australia with the party of New Zealand farmers who recently made the tour. The ladies of the party were met and entertained at lunch and at morning tea by' the Queensland and New South Wales Country Women’s Associations. The general opinion seemed to b e that New Zealand farm women are as well catered for, if not better, than those visited in Australia, more especially in regard to electric conveniences, hot and cold water, etc., and also the surroundings of the farms themselves.

At Waikaia Miss McDonald gave an interesting demonstration of passe partout work, when four new members were enrolled. The Eltham branch has held a “bring and buy” afternoon, and also a “shop day,” which realised a considerable sum of money, while Manaia raised £l5 from a street day.

At a large meeting at Toi Tois a suggestion was made to issue a Farmers' Union paper if 10,000 subscribers could be secured. Also the member who secures most new members to the Women's Division will have one year’s free membership to their library‘and to the Women’s Division. An interesting lecture on “ Vitamins ” was read by” Mrs Yorke. At Awakeri Mrs Stewart gave a demonstration on the making of raffia brooches, and arrangements were made to hold a special meeting during Mrs C. C. Jackson’s visit to the district.

The W.D.F.U. Inglewood branch, together with members of the Women’s Institute, attended a poultry rearing demonstration at Mr Wright’s poultry farm at Inglewood, when much was learned of the practical working of a large poultry business. Three incubators, each holding 540 eggs, were inspected and great interest was shown in the rearing, housing, and feeding of chicks. Well-built houses containing. 2000 birds ranging from day-old chicks to six weeks were shown, while an unusual fact given was that the birds are fed entirely on dry foods, a mixture of pollard, bran, and meat meal being placed in feeders for the birds to help themselves. Charcoal, grit, milk, and green feed was also available, besides a constant supply. of fresh water. Mr Wright donated a dozen week-old chicks for a competition, the proceeds of which go towards the W.D housekeeping funds. The Advisory Board of the W.D.F.U. met in Wellington, when there were present Mesdames C. C. Jackson (Dominion

president), D. Simpson (Dominion treasurer), Wickham, and Joll (Dominion vice-presidents), Hall, Wilson, Cocker, and Miss Polson. The executive will meet in Dunedin in January. A levy of 6d on all financial members is to be made to pay for executive members’ travelling expenses and to form the nucleus of a fund for executive members’ travelling expenses. Fhe, two B.N. and Housekeeper Auxiliary Advisory members appointed by conference and a representative of the Book Club are to be invited to attend future meetings of the Advisory Board. The Women’s Exchange.—Mrs Carter, of Hawera branch, wrote offering to take charge of articles for the exchange at the January executive meeting. The Dominion secretary’s office will in future be in the Dominion Farmers’ Institute.

Colonel Pow was tendered a hearty vote of thanks for all his assistance in the past to the division. Arrangements are well in hand for the final competition of the Cookerv Book, which is being named “ the N.Z. Women’s Household Guide,” issued by the W.D. F.U. at a cost of 2s. Besides cookery, it will contain household hints of everv description. The Wanganui delegates will hold a special meeting to send in to the executive a full report of the Book Club. It was moved by Mrs Hall and seconded by Mrs Wickham that the W.D.F.U. thinks that any scheme for insurance against unemployment should include women as well as men. This resolution is to be sent through Mr Polson. °

Motions of sympathy were passed with the relatives of Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Robert Stout, and Sir George Hunter, also to Mrs Ward (president of Wellington branch), who had recently met with an accident.

t It was decided to support the Farmers’ Union in its protest to the Prime Minister re the suggestion that the full houi of daylight saving be brought in immediately on account of the shortage of water in Canterbury. The secretary was instructed to write to all branches, reminding them to send

a monthly report to Mrs Benton. Dominion correspondent, and to their local papers.

GORE BRANCH.

The usual monthly meeting of the Gore branch of the Women’s Division of the Union was held in the Soldiers’ dub Rooms. The following members were present: Mesdames Stewart (president, in the chair), Dickie, M'Kenize, M'Leodj Milne, Byare, Craigie, Smail, Stevenson, Cunningham, Pollock, Dickson, Smith, Martin , Orr (Balfour), Misses Dickie, Byars, M Leod. A motion of sympathy was passed t» Mrs Cunningham (secretary), on the death of her brother.

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Mrs Derrett and Mrs Cum ningham.

Mrs Orr was elected a member. Correspondence was read from the dominion Executive. The next Dominion Executive meeting is to be held in Dunedin in January. Professor Strong, of the Home Science Department, has offered the use of Studholme House for visitin" delegates. °

The president spoke on the wron<r im? pression which some people seemed to’have in regard to the Women’s Division bein" a political organisation. She wished it to be clearly understood that it is nonpolitical. Members must be loyal to the uniuii and contradict any wrong rumours that ar e afloat. The division is out to help the women and children on the land and only by taking an intelligent interest in all. pertaining to their welfare can it be helpful. y • "za Y a , s c i ec 'd e d to hold the annual social in October. • H,£ ft i er ij discu ? 9 i on - members agreed that they hold socials in the various country districts alternately. An invitation to visit Mr J. Speden’s garden was accepted, and Saturday, October 18, at 2 p.m. was arranged. A number of members brought fanev work, pen-painting and patterns, anil members spent a pleasant time in examining the handwork displayed. WAIKOUATITI. The monthly meeting of the Waikouaiti branch of the women’s division of the Farmers’ Union was held in St. John’s Schoolroom, a large gathering of members being present. Mrs C. Hallum opened the meeting by reciting the

“Women’s Creed.” Miss Crowe, of the Home Science School, was the speaker of the evening, her subject being “The Use of Commercial Patterns, and Draping in Dressmaking.” Miss Crowe’s address was full of interest and profit, being practical and frequently illustrated. The speaker followed her lecture by a short resume of the working of the Home Science .Extension Service. Many questions were asked by members of the audience, all of which the visitor was able to answer satisfactorily. Mrs Hallum thanked Miss Crowe for her interesting and instructive address.

ALEXANDRA AND EARNSCLEUGH.

A very enjoyable meeting of the combined Alexandra and Earnscleugh branches of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Anglican Hall. The organising secretary of the division (Miss Finlayson) and the provincial secretary of the Farmers’ Union (Mr Cameron) were both present to address the meeting. The president of the Alexandra branch (Mrs W. A. Bodkin) introduced the speakers and assured them of the very great pleasure all members felt in having them present at the meeting. Miss Finlayson spoke on tiie objects and aims of the division and of the various activities of the Afferent Otago branches. Mr Cameron also gave a most . thoughtful address, pointing out in how many ways the Women’s Division could be most helpful in the general welfare of all people living in the country. The president of the Earnscleugh branch (Mrs Iversen) then thanked both speakers for their interesting and instructive addresses. After a very dainty afternoon tea had been served and enjoyed by all, Miss Finlayson gave a demonstration of the making of silk raffia posies. About 50 members were present from both branches, and all showed the greatest interest and enthusiasm. After Mr Aslin’s lecture on Friday evening, the executives of the Earnscleugh and Alexandra branches entertained the fruitgrowers’ delegates to supper in the Town Hall supper room. CLYDE. Monthly meetings of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union are being held at Clyde,, under the presidency of Mrs W. Annan. At the recent meeting the organising sec-

retary (Mies Finlayson) and the president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce (Mr Cameron) gave interesting lectures upon the aims of the organisation and the extent of assistance offered to country women.