MISSIONARY UNION

Southland Times, Issue 20614, 12 October 1928, Page 4

MISSIONARY UNION

METHODIST WOMEN’S CONFERENCE. YESTERDAY’S SESSION. The activities of the Missionary Union were continued on Wednesday evening at a delightful conversazione. Local talent provided an interesting and varied programme and reminiscences and renewal of old friendships closed a profitable and happy day. Yesterday’s session commenced with an inspiring devotional session conducted by Mrs E. O. Blamires, of Masterton. The keynote of this service was dependance upon the Almighty for strength and a call to go forward to greater works relying on that strength alone. The first business of the morning was the election of officers for the ensuing year. The result of this was as follows:—President, Mrs G. Brown; secretary, Mrs Frank Thompson; treasurer, Mrs Purchase. This executive is to sit in Christchurch. The keynote of the retiring president’s address was the enlarged responsibilities which would follow as the result of the ever increasing activities on all fields. She stated: “Before we commenced medical work in the Solomon Islands it was prophesied that we would have no patients coming to our dispensaries—that we would have to go out to seek patients. What really has happened is that patients come to our hospital in scores and that nurses and yet more nurses will be required for this urgent work. As the work increases, too, the helpers must have specialized training. Whether it be in nursing or teaching only the best can satisfy. Already in Roviana where is the only hospital under the direction of the Methodist Church in the Solomon Islands where women are permitted special treatment, an anti-natal clinic has been established. Our own knowledge of the assistance required for these hospitals in New Zealand leads us to a realization of how short-handed our medical staff really is. If we do our immediate duty and this field and our Maori one, too, our expenses in salaries alone will increase to the tune of £370.” Interesting reviews of the work of Sister Eleanor Dobby, of Hokianga, and Sister Gittas, of Ratana Pah, were dealt with; also that of Miss Foster, of Taranaki. An interesting discussion upon the establishment of a Maori girls’ school ended a profitable day’s work. In the evening a meeting was held in St. Peter’s Church, Elies Road, when a short musical programme was presented. Sister Elinor Dobby gave further information regarding her work in the far north, this being followed by an address by the Rev. Le C. Binet, a missionary on the island of Choiseul, and greetings from Sisters Jean Dalziel and Lily White was recently returned on furlough from this field.