ACTIVITIES AND PROGRESS

Southland Times, Issue 24492, 21 July 1941, Page 7

ACTIVITIES AND PROGRESS

W.D.F.U. HOUSEKEEPING AND TUTORIAL SCHEMES From branch and provincial reports supplied, the Dominion secretary, Mrs A. B. Smith, presented at the conference in Wellington, a comprehensive resume detailing the progress made and the activities undertaken by the W.D.F.U. There were now 562 senior branches and 18 junior branches with a total membership of 19,147. More than ever, in the times of war, was it necessary for branches to carry on activities and to strengthen membership. There was plenty of work, as through the W.D.F.U., all sections of war-time efforts and outside appeals could be met and it was not necessary for members to leave the organization in order to find a useful channel of patriotic service.

Activities under the tutorial and general educational scheme for branches were growing steadily each year. For instance, the W.D.F.U. in Southland, a progressive and up-to-date executive, had a comprehensive tutorial programme, embracing dress-making, designing and cutting, music, singing, elocution and public speaking and physical culture. These classes had proved a great success and an inspiration to otherprovincial executives. In practically all cases cited in the secretary’s report on the emergency house-keeping scheme, figures showed that the demand for help from country women far exceeded that available. In Southland, 81 homes had asked for help, but only 25 housekeepers were sent out. A total of 106 applications were received from North Taranaki, but only 6." could be filled. In Northern Hawke’s Bay dozens of applications had to be turned down, especially during the months of October to December. One woman had called this work of helping the overburdened mother “angel’s work.”