WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12732, 24 August 1934, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

MARKETING SCHEME AT HOME. PROVINCIAL. MEETINGS For some years past the parlous position in which many, rural communities have been placed, owing to trade depression, has been a source of particular concern to the Women’s Institutes. Schemes have been discussed with the object of alleviating the distress, but finance, as usual, was the stumbling block m most cases. It is, however, a testimony to the value placed on the work of "the movement by those m authority and the reputation it has earned lor thoroughness and practical efficiency that in 1932 the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust made a grant of £IOOO to the National Federation of Women’s Institutes for 4 ‘an extended experiment in marketing,” which has led to a most encouraging as the following extract from an English paper shows when commenting on the progress during the last 12 months : ‘Twenty-three new markets have been opened, bringing the total to 62, of which rather less than half are registered co-operative markets, under the Industrial and Provident Acts. They vary in size from large centres selling the produce of as many as thirty villages to wayside markets supplied by a single village. They are opened to unemployed persons, allotment holders and cottage producers, as well as to Institute members. The estimated turnover for the year is # £35,'000, and it is claimed that most of the produce that this represents would have been wasted or not grown at all. In conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and county authorities, schools in grading have been held, and by organised collective points "Women’s Institutes have made it possible for the national mark placing stations to deal with the eggs of quite small producers. The Federation’s (Women's Institutes') travelling adviser has visited no fewer than 36 countries in England and Wales.” This important undertaking has not only turned out to he a business success, but what is even more satisfactory, has enabled women (and men, too) to help themselves, and so maintain their independence and self-respect.

KUMEROA-HOPELANDS. The August meeting of the Ivume--2 oa—Hopeiands Women’s Institute was well attended, Mrs B. H. Norman presiding. Alter the singing of the Ode, and the reciting of the CVeed, the business of the month was dealt with. In the absence of Miss Lynch, the delegate, Mrs Millar read the report of the Federation held in Wellington recently. Mrs Crewe (president) and Mrs Austin (secretary), of the Bush Union, both gave a very interesting address on tin- work of the Institutes in general. Mrs Crewe also gave a demonstration of a few articles made from cretonne. They were both accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. During the afternoon a pianoforte s _ - : \ Miss Avis Arrow. A dainty afternoon tea, served by the hostesses, Mesdames Little. Mackie and Bryant, concluded a most enjoyable meeting.