WOMEN’S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 16

WOMEN’S DIVISION N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Dominion President— Mrs C. C. Jackson, Kopuaranga, Wairarapa. Dominion Secretary— Mrs P. Smith, P.O. Box 1601, Web lington. Dominion Correspondent— Mrs O. Benton, Auroa. Otago Provincial President — Mrs J. F. Drake, Berwick. Otago Provincial Secretary— Miss F. V. Finlayson, P.O. Box 643, Dunedin. TOUR OF CATLINS DISTRICT. Branches of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in the Catlins district were visited from September 28 to October 1 by Airs J. F. Drake (provincial president), Aliss F. V. Finlayson (provincial secretary) and Alessrs A. C. Cameron and W. Lee, meetings being held at Glenomaru. Chaslands, Tahakopa, Alaclennan, and Tahatika. A new branch of the Women’s Division was formed at Ratanui, and the party was also present at the first birthday party of the Owaka branch, when some 300 people were present. In all cases meetings took the form of a combined gathering of the Farmers’ Union and Women’s Division members.

Mr A. C. Cameron detailed the work being done by the Farmers’ Union, and discussed the problems facing the farmer to-day. while Air AV. Lee (member of the Dairy Control Board) spoke on matters pertaining to dairy produce. The production of New Zealand dairy produce has increased 400 per cent., while Danish production for the same number of years has increased 29 per cent. Airs J. F. Drake and Aliss Finlayson sp_oke_ on matters relating to the Women’s Division, which is alive to every matter relating to the welfare of country women. Alembers are offered great privileges. At the present moment there are five division housekeepers employed in Otago, one being the division visiting housekeeper and four emergency housekeepers. The latest forward move made by the division is the appointment of a Women’s Division Visiting sewing woman, who is now jn Hawea Flat. Other branches wanting the visiting sewing woman in their district will apply to provincial headquarters. Branches were also told of the market to be opened in Dunedin on October 23, and held weekly henceforward. Any division member ihay send her surplus produce (poultry, butter, eggs, cooked meats, cooked ham, vegetables, flowers, home-made soap, honey, etc.) to this market, and make some money for herself. Branches were also asked to consider what form the Home Science Extension Service work should take next year, as the time had come when some other method than personal lectures from the staff will have to be adopted. One suggestion for next year was for the holding of leaders' training schools in different districts, which delegates from surrounding districts would attend. These had proved very successful in Canada. Branches everywhere in the Catlins district were doing good work, and meetings proved to be both enjoyable and stimulating. REPORTS OF BRANCHES. RATANUI. A meeting of the ladies of the Ratanui district was held on Thursday afternoon, October 1, in the Ratanui Hall. A very representative gathering of 21 ladies was present to hear Airs J. F. Drake (provincial president Women’s Division New Zealand Farmers’ Union) and Aliss F. V. Finlayson (provincial secretary). After learning somethin" of the origin, aims, and work of the Women’s Division, whose membership in little over five years has increased to over 8000, those present were unanimous in wishing to form a Women’s Division branch at Ratanui. The election of officers of the new branch took place, and resulted as follows: —President, Airs Craigie; secretary, Aliss Shaw; vice-presidents, Alesdaines Falconer and Chalmers: committee, Alesdames Al’Taggart and Anderson. A delightful afternoon tea was then served, after which Airs Craigie (president) thanked Airs Drake and Aliss Finlayson for their help. Airs Drake, in replying. wished the branch every success, and moved a vote of thanks to Mrs Craigie, which was carried by acclamation. ¥ ¥ ¥ EVANS FLAT. The Evans Flat branch held its monthly meeting on Friday, September 11, Miss Brook presiding over a very good attendance of members. The roll-call. “ Sing, Say, or Threepence to Pay,” proved most amusing. A suggestion was made by one of the members that something be done to help those in distress, and after some discussion it was decided to make an outfit for a child. Airs Leary gave a demonstration on the making of moccasins, some of the members beginning work under her supervision. Airs Leary also displayed a beautiful wool quilt which Aliss Finlayson had kindly sent to be exhibited to the members. Aliss Brook moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Airs APAlillan for a table and chair she had donated to the branch. She also expressed the deep regret felt on Airs APAlillan’s departure from the district. Airs Al'Alillan, answering, said that although her future home would be

in Auckland, she hoped to keep in touch with the branch and remain a member. ¥ ¥ ¥ OAMARU. | The monthly meeting of the_ Oamaru branch was held on September- 25. There was a good attendance of ladies and visitors from other branches. Mrs Meek (president) presided. Correspondence was read regarding housekeepers, and it was decided that in all cases local housekeepers have preference. Arrangements were made for having the - visual rest tent at the show, donations of any kind to be received for the coin- j inunity chest fund. A Home Science box , ©n Christmas gifts was then opened and i - demonstrated by Mrs Tait, and the contents were most interesting. Patterns * were given of moccasins, slippers, and I ’ ether useful articles, and a number of dainty articles were shown. Numerous notes and patterns were taken by ladies present. ¥ ¥ ¥ MAT AURA. The monthly meeting was held on > Thursday, October 1, in the Coronation 1 Hall. Mrs W. L. Scott presiding over a I good attendance of members. j It was decided to discontinue the bi- I monthly meetings till after New Year, as ' this was a busy time. I For next meeting a competition is to I be held for the best article made out I of scrap material not costing more than : a shilling. A fine of threepence is to be I imposed on any member who does not | comply with the rules. The branch visited the Tuturau members and spent a very enjoyable social evening. The provincial president, Mrs Neiderer, was present, and gave a very | interesting address on “ The Aims and ■ Objects of the W.D.F.U.” From the pro- i seeds of the evening £2 2s was donated ! to the Mataura Ladies’ Rest Room fund. On September 25 the branch, in conjunction with the citizens, held a monster ball in aid of the rest room funds, the proceeds being £5O (approximately). Great credit is due to the two secretaries, Mrs Pryde and Mrs Sutherland, | for their untiring efforts. ; The last of the series of Home Science Bureau boxes was opened on Thursday. This box was on “ Home Dyeing,” and j proved very interesting. j ¥ ¥ ¥ i OTAKAU. j The branch celebrated its first anni- j Tersary on September 19 by holding • a bazaar and a social. The hall was tastefully decorated in the division's colours and evergreens and bowls of daffo dils, and the happy crowd helped to make the evening a most enjoyable one. Me West (secretary of the Chamber of Commerce) delivered a very interesting speech, and then declared the bazaar open. Miss V. Finlayson (organising secretary) spoke on matters concerning the Women’s Division. The president (Mrs Karetai) welcomed those present, and expressed pleasure at the large gathering, after which Miss Finlayson was asked to cut the birthday cake, which had been beautifully made and iced by the vice-president (Mrs Watson). The candle on the cake was ht by the oldest member of the Otakou branch and the cake cut to the singing of “ For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” The stalls were well patronised during the evening, the stallholders having a busy and profitable time. Supper, song, and dancing brought an enjoyable function to a close. ¥ ¥ ¥ ENFIELD. The monthly meeting of the branch was opened with the reading of the creed by the president (Mrs R. B. Meek). It was with pleasure that members heard of the acceptance of the Windsor Park Women’s Institute for November 12, and it was agreed to issue invitations to the surrounding branches of the division for that evening. The Oamaru branch wrote in connection with the effort for augmenting the community chest fund at the Oamaru Show, and it was agreed that volunteer helpers from the Enfield branch assist at the rest tent. An account for 8s was passed for payment. A book of revised rules was received from headquarters, together with information concerning women’s exchanges carried on by various branches, and it was decided to commence a local exchange in the new year. It was decided to start a book club, and Miss Manson was appointed librarian. The treasurer reported on the financial success attending the bring and buy sale held at the last- meeting, and a pleasant social hour was spent at afternoon tea and in a discussion on suggestions for Christmas gifts.