WOMEN’S DIVISION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13181, 13 February 1936, Page 7

WOMEN’S DIVISION.

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETING. DEARTH OF HOUSEKEEPERS. The Wairarapa Provincial Council of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union met in the Rest Room, King Street, Masterton last week. There was a good attendance of delegates and a most successful meeting was held. After the creed was read the president, Mrs A. Clark, moved: “That we place on record our sorrow at the passing of our beloved King George V. and express our sympathy with Queen Mary, King Edward VII. and other members of the Royal family.” Two minutes’ silence was observed, all members standing. Sympathy was expressed to Mr and Mrs H G. Groves and Mr James Wilson in the loss of their respective sons, and with Mesdames Tate, Wiggins and Piper in their severe illnesses. It was decided, as the president of the Pirinoa branch had lect for Tologa Bay, to endeavour to visit Pirinoa to help them further in establishing the branch. Flock House boys who are now placed in the Wairarapa are: A. A. McWhinney, Tinui; I. P. Wollerman, Ballance; J. H. Goldsworthy, Tinui ; W. J. C. Wales, Greytown; J. A. Summers, Whareama. Mr F. j). Sergeant, who belongs to Featherston, is placed at Foxton. Mrs C. C. Jackson, delegate, gave an address on the work, done at the Dominion Executive meeting at HanYiJton. She stated that good work had been done by this body, almost every delegate adding her quota to the discussions. It was decided not tu renew the agreement of New Zealand Countrywomen with “Point Blank,” as it was thought desirable to again re-establish the division’s own paper. It was also thought desirable by a majority of members that two such fine organisations as the Women’s Division and the Women’s Institute should find a common ground lor amalgamation. All the Wairarapa remits were carried. Regarding the education merits it was decided to wait upon the Minister of Education to discuss these with him as it was not yet known what the Government’s education policy was. The farmers’ picnic to be held in February was discussed and a committee, Mesdames Clark, Jackson, D. James, S. Dalgleish, J. Standen, W. James, J. Percy 3 H. Holmes, J. M. La-ing, Brittain, and Grant was set up to meet members of the Farmers’ Union. It was left to the president, Mrs Clark, to discuss the management with the secretary ol the Farmers’ Union. Prize money for children’s race was to be subscribed by the branches. A letter was read from the secretary of the' Mart inborougli branch, stating that a folding bedstead, mattress, blankets, bed linen and a woolle n eiderdown had been presented by Airs J. McLeod, and was being presented to the Council to be used by housekeepers in the province at such times as it was required. Tlie members inspected the gift, which was unanimously appreciated and the donors thanked. The Masterton branch members later in the day decided that it could be used by housekeepers in the Rest Room whenever they wished a night in town. A long discussion ensued on the dearth of housekeepers and women for helping in homes not only in the country but in towns anti to what could he done to make the work more attractive. It was agreed that the- problem was attacked from the wrong end and domestic service, the highest work a woman could perform. should be put oil a professional basis and schemes were suggested as to how this could be done, it was suggested by one .member that a name could be given to housekeepers such as was given to a Ivaritane nurse, and training in different branches of housework provided by a training school. Existing schools could he- used for this ; urpose by means, perhaps, of a Government subsidy and these women could be- given a certificate of efficiency and merit. This, it was held, would be a step in the right direction. The Council decided to go fully into schemes and probably wait upon the Prime Minister at an early date to discuss the problem with him. Airs C. C. Jackson was congratulated on becoming vice-chairman of the New Zealand Pap-Pacific C ommittee.