WOMEN'S DIVISION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13577, 1 June 1937, Page 3

WOMEN'S DIVISION.

CONFERENCE AT DfIfiKEVIRKE

REMITS PUT THROUGH. Tlie inter-provincial conference of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union was opened on Thursday morning in Dannevirke, there being :* iarge attendance of delegates. Mrs C. F. Barker (Dannevirke) presided, associated with her being Mrs W. F. Field (Palmerston North), convener, Mrs Duncan Simpson (Marten), Mrs McLean and Mrs Wickham (Wanganui) and Mrs T. XL. Barrel' iMastei'ton), the last four named being members of the Dominion advisory board. Sir Alfred Ransom, member for Pahiatua, expressed his pleasure in extending a cordial welcome to the delegates, and also to the ActingPrime Minister, who also attended the conference.

Mi Fraser, who was received with applause, intimated liis pleasure at meeting the delegates of the Women's Division, who were carrying out an important work, in conjunction with another fine body, the Worn ell's Institutes. Mr Fraser went on to refer to the steps taken by the Government in the establishment of correspondence schools for the benefit of the children in remote country districts. There was no difference of opinion about that—they owed it to the mothers and fathers in the backbloeks that their children should receive opportunities for being educated. The correspondence schools had been a great success, and they had a roll of 2000.

The Minister spoke of the success of the consolidation of country schools, and the efforts of the Government to further post-primary education. He touched on other social measures of the Government and said the Government would always be pleased to receive the co-opera-tion of the Women's 2>ivision in any matters affecting the welfare of the women and children of the Dominion. The Dominion president (Mr Mulholland), who conveyed the appreciation of the conference to the Minister, spoke oi the good work being carried out by the Women's Division. REMITS. After dealing with preliminary matters the conference proceeded to consider the remits. Mrs Groves (Masterton) moved: ‘‘That the 40-hour week be extended to the bars of public houses, which should be compelled to close all day on Saturday.” Miss Poison seconded the remit and the remit was agreed to after a brief discussion. r Mi’s Harre: (Masterton) moved: I ha: the \\ . D.F.U. supports a policy ot ordered immigration of se- - and trained British immigrants on a quid pro quo basis with Britani as outlined by the Do in ini on Settlement Association formed in W ellington. The mover stressed the need for a planned system of immigration. Mrs Gawith seconded the motion, which was carried after various opinions had been expressed. Mrs Sim; ison (Marton moved: “i hat inter-provincial conferences shall become part, of our constitution.'’ The mover said there was nothing in The rules at present providing for inter-provincial conferences becoming part of their constitution.

Mrs A. H. McLean (Wanganui) seconded and the remit was carried. Mrs A. Whibley (Southern Hawke's Bay) moved: ‘‘That all remits be sent to headquarters each year by March 31, and submitted to all executives by May 1, these remits to be considered at interprovincial conferences to be held annually in May, and a vote taken as to whether they should go to a Dominion conference or not, the result of these votes to be sent at once to head office, where a special committee, or the Dominion Advisory Board, would tabulate the result, and that any remits thrown out by a majority of the inter-pro-

vincial conferences should Ik* debarred from appearance at the couierence." The mover said if tins remit were agreed to the conferences would become of real value. It would also reduce the number of remits which would come before the Dominion conference.

The president (Mrs C\ F. Barker) seconded, and the remit was agreed.

On behalf of the Wairoa branch, in the absence of the delegate, Mrs Joll (Havelock North) moved: “That the W.D.F.F. protests against the apathy of farmers towards the union when they should he watching legislation vital to the wellbeing of the farmers.” The remit was seconded and it was agreed that it be sent on to tlic men’s conference.

Mrs Scott (Wanganui) moved: “That every support be given to the Mothers' Union in their efforts to have* the sale of contraceptives to juven i les prohibited.”

This was seconded by Mrs McLean ( W a nga liui). Speakers referred to the desirability of giving every support to the Mothers’ Union and the churches, which had taken the matter up. The remit was agreed to. Mrs McLeavey (Levin) proposed: “That the Finance Committee bo asked why it rejected the amendment to the life membership remit when it had been passed by conference.” The mover said the conference* was entitled to know the reason for the rejection of the remit. Mrs McDonald seconded and it was agreed that the remit go forward. The remit: “That this meeting supports the Government in its endeavour foi; ; ational fitness and health of its people t. - encourage ph\ sit a! •uli n >. and fui ht i gests that organised games be- included in t,h< scht ol s \ 11a bus ’ ■ anie from Wairarapa. There v/iis no .delegate I rotu the branch, and it was agreed that it be referred to the Wairarapa Conn-

ci l for further enquiry, delegates stating that already there was a system of organised games in the schools. It was thought that the remit referred to the need of organised games in the small country schools.

The following remit was agreed to: “That with a view to stimulating the growing recognition that agriculture must occupy a more important place in the life of every community, we request the W.D. F.U. to encourage' its members to acquire a knowledg of such subjec ts as marketing of farm products, farm economy, rural education and problems of national and internalona 1 importance.” Aprti branch: “That free bus service shall be provided to take country children to secondary schools Irom districts not touched by suitable railway services.” —lt was agreed to send the remit.

Mrs Barrel* (Masterton) proposed: “That the most needed educational reform in New Zealand is that which recognises the vital importance of nursery school training by (a) its incorporation into the regular State school system ; (b) extension of the age for such training to seven years ; (c) provision being made as speedily as possible for an adequate supply of scientifically trained nursery school teachers and up-to-date accommodation ; (d> to bring the training of potential parents into line with the nursery school movement, child psychology should be a subject of study in secondary schools.’’

In speaking to the motion, Mrs Barrer said all would recognise that there was nothing like commencing the training of children when they were young. There was a very real need for the extension of the nurstl’.y ystern, and it was pleasing to know that it was the intention of the Minister to further extend the scope of the kindergarten schools. If children had proper training when at tile kindergarten stage she was sure many of the faults which de- \ eloped later in life would be obviated. Some knowledge of child psychology should be acquired by every girl. Several delegates opposed the remit. stating it was the duty of the parents to bring up their children. It was suggested by Mrs McLean that they should fight more for better facilities for their country schools

Mrs Wickham (Wanganui) seconded the remit.

Mrs Simpson (Marton) said all that the mover desired was an extension _of the free kindergarten schools which were doing a splendid work. The idea was that in the consolidation oi schools teachers in the lower classes should have had some training in kindergarten work. The remit, after considerable discussion, was carried by 2d votes to

Airs Barrer moved: “That in any campaign lor national fitness, due regard should be given to the science ol eugenics by (a) prohibition of the marriage ol those with hereditary taint; (b) a conservative poliev of

I \ oluntary sterilisation on the "linos !rt commended by the Department j Committee of Great Britain; (c> esJ tablish ment ot birth control clinics.” i The mover said that in certain icases people should not be allowed j to . marry, and the object of the reI nut was to prevent this from being brought about.

Mrs Clark ("Wairarapa) seconded, dies W. J Volsm (Stratford) said that while she was against increasmg the State's burdens she was of opinion that the mental defectives lin'd to b< protected. Thev could not interfere u ith life s journev.

A delegate- said that these people whom they wished to prevent from marrying would"-probably have children in any case.

Replying to some criticism of the proposal, Mrs- Barrer said it was not intended to prohibit marriages wholesale; marriages would only be prohibited at the discretion of the special board appointed to deal with

Referring to sterilisation, the mover said this would be a simple operation and quoted numerous authorities in favour of the proposal. I ouching on birth control clinics, she said these would Ik* under proper medical control, where the contraceptives would be sold under proper supervision. The establishment of birth control clinics would do a great deal in preventing the great evil which at present existed in the practice of abortion. The remit was carried.

Northern Hawke's Bay: “That flic W.D.F.U. views with alarm the increase ot drinking among our Maori population and requests the Government to enforce stricter

supervision of tin licensing laws. Since the* 40-hour week has been u< force keg parties are demoralising the young folk.” it was agreed that it be referred to the Women's Christian Temperance l nion. who were particularly interested in this very important question.

Northern Hawke s Bay also submitted the following remit: “That we as a body of wholesome women request the Government to pass legislation to the effect that in cases where a woman is arrested for using an instrument to bring about a certain condition, that the men and women connected therewith have their names published also. W 7 o feel that this is the only means that will act as a deterrent to this shameful traffic.”

It was decided to defer consideration ol the remit until it was dealt with at the lAominion conference. If was agreed t<» hold the next inter-provincial conference at the centre. where the men's conference i\as sitting, Airs Field being appc>i nted eon\‘ener. Alls \\ . .7. Poison proposed a hearty vote ol appreciation to Mrs .Barker for the very able manner in which she had presided over the conference, the motion heiiu: carried by acclamation.