WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12426, 19 August 1933, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

TH c RtC NT CONFERENCE. PAHIATTJA DELEGATE’S REPORT. The following report by the Pahiatua. delegate (Mrs J. 1). Wilson) was read at the last meeting of the Women’s Institute: “The third annual conference of the Dominion Federation of the (Slew Zealand Women's Institute opened in the Choral Hall, Christchurch, on July '26th by about 300 delegates singing' the Institute song, ‘Comrades and Friends’ (to the tune of The Londonderry air). Mrs Dean, on behalf of the hostess Federations, wished our' stay in Christchurch to be a very happy one, and hoped we would go home inspired to try to make our individual Institute the best in Xew Zealand. Influential men and women waited on our conference to ask our help and sympathy for the Obstetrical Hospital, Otago, Bible m Schools and Red Cross. “Dr. flight, who welcomed us on behalf of the University of Xew Zealand and more particularly on behalf of Canterbury College, said education is a lifelong thing. The education of the adult was of the greatest importance and it was. in that way that the Women’s Institutes could- help. Canterbury College hoped next year to extend the University extension work ill the South Island. And they would look then for the continued help of the W men's Institutes and he» was sure the influence oi the women of this Dominion would extend to thei other half or the population. •The Mayor of Christchurch said lie wanted us to feel the welcome of himself and the people whom he represented was a real one. He had a particular reason to be grateful to the Women’s Institutes, because the very first piece of outside assistance" that he had received for the Mayor’s Relief Fund had been a cash donation from a country Institute. The part that women were taking to-day in industry and com;rce and in fighting the depression made it perfectly natural and desirable that women should come together from all over the country to discuss their own particular problems. “Mass Kane suitably replied to these gentlemen and also welcomed delegates. She expressed deep appreciation of the honour of having been asked to preside over the conference. Fast year there were about 100 delegates in "Wellington, this year there were almost 300, an advance of 200 in 12 months. ‘‘ln the afternoon we began dealing with the remits, as follows: “(If That all nominations for the Xew Zealand Executive Committee be accompanied bv their qualifications for the work.—Carried. ‘•(2) That the Dominion Executive draw up working rules for night circles.—This was left to the editor of Home and Country’ to publish an article on the subject. “(3) That delegates to the annual conference be entitled to afternoon teas, etc.—Lost. “(4) Was altered to read: ‘That it be a recommendation to Area Federations that to help maintain the informal nature of the group system and to stress the fact that a group is a friendly link between neighbouring Institutes each group should consist of not more than ten and not less than four Institutes, except in exceptional circumstances. 7 —Carried. Was altered to read: ‘That it be a recommendation to Institute committees to wear a distinctive badge.’—Carried. Some Institutes have a iDiece °f white ribbon with the name of their Institute and ommittee member printed on it and they have found it very useful. ‘*(6) Amendment 3: ‘That any member requiring a rest and being unable to pay £l per week for Rest Home may have the privilege of applying to the District Federation. 7 —Carried. “(”) It was very much desired that- all Women’s institutes, where material is available, collect pioneer’s tales and the old history of their own neighbourhoods. “(8) That all articles exhibited at Federation and Conference meetings should be placed in a good light and protected to prevent handling.— Carried. “(9) That two representatives be appointed on the Liaison Committee, was ruled out. “(10) That all exhibits of Women’s Institutes as Women’s Institute work throughout Xew Zealand receive as prizes trophies, not cash, it being considered a more* friendly spirit will be fostered thereby.— Lost. One member from the "Far Xorth told us she had sent articles to Auckland and they cost £9 to send and some of the cash prizemoney helped to pay that freight. “(11) That each Institute make an effort once a year for Area Federation Funds.—Carried. “(12) That recommendation be made to the Unemployment Board that working men on relief be not separated from their wives and homes, unless willing to go into camp.—Lost. “(13) That the Health Department be urged to provide information on birth control free of charge on application.—Ruled out. “(14) That definite efforts should be made by the members of the Women s Institutes throughout New Zealand to ensure the election of a reasonable proportion of women as members of hospital, education and similar boards.—Carried. '*(Io) That we should all make an effort to have lectures on local government, and the government of the country.—Carried “(16) That we be urged to buv Xew Zealand goods or failing them British goods if possible.—Carried. “(17) That the Dominion Federation would consider a. gift of butter for Chelsea Pensioners.—Lost. The mover said these old pensioners never had butter. One member said she thought the old men would like New' Zealand tobacco better than butter, and moved accordingly.

“(18) That the Institutes view view alarm the increasing number of unsuitable films and urges the Government to further tighten the censorship of same and that definite efforts be made to have competent women on the censorship board.—Carried. This remit was spoken to by one member, who said she had only seen one picture in her life and if they were all anything like that one she did not want to see another. “(19) The amendment, ‘That the attention of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals be drawn to the, treatment of bobby calves in cases where there is positive cruelty. ’—C arrie d. “(20) Was deferred. This was about de-rating of farm lands. Miss Kane said that we wanted more knowledge on the subject. “(21) That the Government be urged to provide dental treatment for families of the Dominion relief workers and country children.— Carried. “(22) That where, owing to retrenchment, sewing teachers have been withdrawn from schools, suitable members of the Women’s Institutes offer to fill the gap where possible with small remuneration.— Carried. “(23) That in the interests of the physical, social and moral wel- j fare of the young people of Xew | Zealand, Women's Institute mem- ! hers use their influence to abolish \ the use of alcoholic drinks at town ! and country dances.—Carried. “The election for president was then taken, Mrs H. Paterson being elected, and I feel sure we are all proud to know the new ‘president and hope that her term of office will be a happy and profitable one, both to herself and all the members oi this great movement. “Then 12 members were elected to the Dominion Executive Committee. “The conference was conducted throughout by Miss A. Kane and very ably she carried out those duties allotted to her. “With the singing of the National Anthem we brought to a close a ssful ■ onf< r- nee. But 1 think this report would be incomplete without mentioning how we Fpent part of the mid-day recess and evenings of the two days’ conference. The first day the photographer was busy taking large and small groups. In the evening we were the guests of the Canterbury W omen’s Club, whose members delighted us with music and drama, also a very dainty supper. One lady’s voice was as clear as a bell and, oh, so sweet. The second day we: were invited to attend the community singing at the Civic Theatre in aid of_the Rcdief of Distress Fund. The 1 press reported that the delegates contributed about £2O towards thq day’s collection, which totalled £42 los 6d. In the evening we were entertained by the South Canterbury Federation with music, drama and dancing. A parade of old dresses organised by Mrs Chernells was one of the most interesting items. Dresses more than a hundred years old were worn. In some cases they had first been worn by the wearers’ great grandmothers." They were elaborately beautiful in design and material. “Odds and ends: The Wellington Federation had handed over £4O for the use of the Dominion Federation, some of the profits from the sale of their calendar, more than 9000 copies having been sold. Mrs Kelso said: ‘lt is a bad thing to have no vote, but it is a worse thing to have a vote and not use it. And many of us do not use our votes simply because we do not know how to.’ Overheard, our delegate was so nervous she did the wrong thing every time. It is easily seen the Institutes have not sent their youngest members.”