HOUSE KEEPING SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 9

HOUSE KEEPING SERVICE

WOMEN’S DIVISION SCHEME PROPOSAL TO EMPLOY SECRETARY A proposal to establish a fund to finance a house-keeping service was explained to the Southland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday by Mrs T. S. Smith and Mrs R. Russell, representatives of the Women s Division. The service was a vital part of the work of the division, Mrs Smith said, and it had been extended considerably during the past two years. It had become too big a task for members of the division. It had been decided to circularize branches of the division asking support for a scheme to provide £l5O a year to engage a permanent secretary, whose duty would be to handle the whole service. The chairman (Mr G. A. Hamilton) explained that a committee from the union had discussed this subject with the Women’s Division. The value of the house-keeping service had been proved beyond doubt, he said. The raising of £l5O a year would mean a contribution of about £3 from each of the 50 odd branches of the division, Mrs Smith said. “We will have to have a paid secretary to carry it on,” she said. “It is too much to expect from women who have their own homes to look after.’! 1 The proposal had been sent out to the branches and nothing more could be done until the replies were received. The division did not want to lean on the Farmers’ Union, she said. Messrs D. H. O’Brien and D. Macdonald supported the proposal, and suggested that the branches of the union, should be asked to give financial assistance to branches of the Women’s Division that might need it. Money For Health Camps “I might appear to be disloyal,” Mrs Smith remarked, “but I think that the £lOO,OOO that is being raised for the health camp scheme could be spent to better advantage in homes throughout the Dominion.” (Hear, hear.) Mr O’Brien: Without a doubt, the Women’s Division is one of the finest bodies in New Zealand. It is entitled to whatever assistance the union can give. In fact, I think the union should guarantee the £l5O. Mr W. B. Hopcroft suggested that if the Women’s Division branches could each raise £3, the branches of the Farmers’ Union should be asked to make similar contributions. “It »hould be easy to raise another £l5O by voluntary contributions, through the union,” he said. On the motion of Messrs O’Brien arid Macdonald it was decided “to recommend to branches that they should assist the Women’s Division in raising the finance necessary to carry on its essential services.”