TOWN FACILITIES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19868, 20 February 1939, Page 7

TOWN FACILITIES

NEED FOR ORGANISATION AN APPEAL TO WOMEN A proposal for the setting up of a woman’s organisation in Gisborne for furthering projects for the benefit of women, and children is advocated in a letter to the editor of the Herald from Mrs, V. M. Wright, writing on behalf of the Povertv Bav Area Federation of Women’s Institutes. The letter is as follows: — “Lately, whilst visiting another town with a slightly smaller population than Gisborne. 1 was very much impressed with the general cleanliness and the facilities provided for visitors. Being a country woman. J was particularly interested in the very up-to-date women’s rest room, where country women and visitors could rest and have tea under the most comfortable and pleasant surroundings. Later, I attended a large public function, the organisation was perfect, no overlapping, and each person concerned knowing and enjoying his or her particular job.

Reason for Efficiency

“Naturally I was interested, and on making inquiries was informed that this general efficiency was due to a Central Women’s Representative Committee. The secretary has since forwarded to me a copy of the constitution of this wonderful committee, which, in brief is as follows: —

“ ‘The committee to be comprised cf one representative from each town organisation with under 20 members; and two representatives from each organisation of over 20 members. In addition there are two representatives from the area Federation of Women’s Institutes and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. A small subscription necessary to defray running expenses. A meeting to be held once a month on a date set. The Mayoress, if present, to take the chair. The welfare <>£ women and children and charitable work to be the subject of the meeting.’ “There arc other controlling rules, but this is a brief outline. The organisation’s represented are:—-For the country, Women’s Institutes and Women's Division; for the town, Gir\ Guides, church guilds, W.C.T.U., St. John Ambulance, Nursing Division, Victoria League, Townswomen’s Guild, athletic clubs, business women’s clubs, etc. The committee was formed for the purpose of assisting in any national emergency such as earthquakes, floods, epidemics, etc., and since its inception has been the means of founding a children’s creche and building a women’s rest room —a request from the Borough Council for three representatives on an advisory committee for this pur-pose—-and now endeavouring to get a suitable rest room for Maoris. .Overlapping Avoided “By having representatives from all these organisations a great deal of overlapping is avoided, as each promises to carry nut certain work in any business undertaken, and, furthermore, these women are on call when needed, and will continue to do great things for the general welfare of their town and the inhabitants. “For some years the women of Poverty 'Bay have been in great need of a rest room, and countrywomen have contributed generously to a fund for this purpose. I venture to state that should a central committee be formed on tiie lines set out in this letter the dream will become a reality. And not only the rest room, but also other very necessary improvements could be carried out. “As representatives of the biggest women’s organisation in this district we wish to appeal to other organisations to help in forming such a committee, and trust that in the near future the Mayor and Mayoress will be able to call a meeting of representatives of the various organisations and set the machinery in ■motion for the general improvement of Gisborne and the welfare of our women and children.”