WOMEN'S DIVISION

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 222, 18 April 1933, Page 5

WOMEN'S DIVISION

I New Zealand Farmers' Union STRATFORD BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING | CHANGE OF EXECUTIVE

The annual meeting of the | Stratford branch of the Women's Division, New Zealand Farmers' 1 Union, was Weld in St. Andrew's Hall this afternoon, the president, j Mrs H. E. Nowell, presiding over i an excellent atttndance of memj bcrs. I ! The president (Mrs H. E. Nowell) ■ stated that the year had been one oil j steady progress. Membership was i much the same, but attendance at I the meetings had greatly increased. j and the members had been keenly ini terested in all that interests women jin rural areas. Problems had been ! freely discussed, and the knowledge I obtained had been of general benefit to thoso present.

I The Branch was much indebted to I tho ladies and gentlemen who had ' assisted during the year with lee- ' lures and demonstrations. Their ser- ' vices were all given gratis, Mrs Mci Dowell for wool-work demonstraI tions, Drs. Doris Gordon, Is. B. Arm- ! strong, Miss Corrigan, Hawera, and Mr ■ Robinson, Government avairy expert. j for lectures.

In June, after tin 1 monthly meeting, there had been a knitting coinpetition. The prizes were given in chases for non-members, members and beginners. The prizes were well distributed, Midhirst. Stratford and Toko all securing honours.

In July a social afternoon was I held, and members wore asked to i bring articles suitable for a matern- ! ity kit. The kit was well equipped and I was ready for an emergency call.

In August Mrs C. C. Jackson, the Dominion President, visited the Brunch. An invitation was extended 1.) adjacent branches to join in a welcome at the Medina Tea Rooms. A very profitable afternoon was spent. In September the Cardiff Branch of the Farmers' Union united with Stratford in holding a social and dance in the Cardiff Hall. Lotal members of the W.D.F.U. supervised the supper and programme and the event was an outstanding success. In November the birthday party was held at the home of the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Thomson, The day was perfect and a large number of visitors from the North and South Taranaki Branches of the W.D.F.U. made the day all that could be desired. The committee was very grateful to Mr. and Mrs Thomson for allowing free use of their home and garden, and thanks were also due to Mesdames Schumacher and Wickham for thu beautiful birthday cake.

In the spring the p'ant exchange under Mrs Wickham's guidance flourished exceedingly well.

Mrs Young, Advisory Board member, attended one meeting of the B. N. and H.A. in Palmerston North during the year. The |.resident attended the annual conference at Welligton in July. Owing to financial strigency, It was deemed inadvisable lo attend further executive meetings when ther were so many other calls on the finance.

Much help had been given to distresed families in town and country by individual members and the branches as a whole. About 25 woollen pull-overs and 2M singlets were ready to be distributed among the children of the unemployed. It was gratifying to report that the sum of £2O 12s 5d was the amount raised at the annual shop day in November. All tilings considered, that was very satisfactory- Mrs W. Wickham bak-» ed To lbs. of Christmas cake for the Shop Day. That was a big help to the funds and thanks were due to Mrs. Wickham.

On April 6, Mrs Cocker and the president, went to Cardiff to form a Women's Division ther,e. On Saturday, April S, the branch was instrumental in forming a Provincial Executive for Central Taranaki.

•■i desire iu tnank my oilice-bear-ers wuo Have Helped so splendidly during the year, >virs Noweii saiu. 'Tvira M. M. rower, lor Uer loyal support; ntr business kuowieuge uu'l ability nave been a gieat asset. Mrs b. rut lias done very solid work m

Keeping me couer iu a Healthy stale. i wouid liKe to mention Uie good work uone ny Mrs Savage iu our branch. vVe are very sorry to lose

lurs bavage as a memuer, but our is ivianam s gum. iu tae vicepresidents wiio so wuuugiy look my ' piaco wnen i was una uie to be pres- ! em; Mrs Shannon, presd correspond- \ em; Mrs loung, Advisory j->oard j member, and uie entertainment comJ uiee wuo managed tuu .social side oi j oar meetings and tunctions so credj nabiy; ana last out not least tae j rrebS, vino nave given us ail iue : iieij.l posbiuie mis year." The balaiice-sneet submitted by : the treasurer. Mrs S. Pitt, showed j a credit balance of £l7 lbs l"d. Advisory Member's Report

Ju submitting lier fourth annual re ! port tiie advisory member, Mrs W

la. Young, stated tnat sue Had at- | vended one meeting at p.tlmerston ! Norm during tiie year. Jt was noi i advisable, however, to travel such a ■ distance unless specific cases in the j district were to be dealt, with. , There had not been the demand | again this year but plenty of inquiries : for division housekeepers in the disj trict. People were looking for somc- ! tiling cheaper and they thought in a I number of raises that the J .N. and | JI.A. was a registry office, l! suitable j women or girls wanted situations, an l 'iideavoiir was made to, li<ilp then ; before sending to headquarters. 'I wo division housekeepers were

placed this year in the Cardiff aid Miikahu districts and also several emergency housekeepers, and had given every satisfaction. In view of the fact that she is not seeking re-

election Mrs. Young pointed »ut tkat the branch w,as overlooking the fact that although branches were being formed everywhere a great number of country women very seldom came to town and could not in a great many eases attend meetings.

The branch should really be setting aside a sum of oney i vevy year (however small) iO form a fund to be able to pay a capable nurse (with all eer t; "", ate;.;, her sfl.tr. 1 and expenses tn visit these women in their homes and talk to aud advise them.

The women it was pointed out could not obtain the Deneuts of the antenatal eliuia. iviesuaiutfß M. T. Phillips and Percy Thomson congratulated tae officers on llie maimer m wnicn they had presented their reports aiid referred m glowing u ''ins to Uie workc-ai'i'ieU Out by ttieiu uuring Hie year." Efetetion of Officers Officer were elected as follow: President, Mrs M. G Trotter; vicepresidents, ivlesdames H. Cleland (.Gordon Koad.i, M. T. Phillips I Stratford), \Y. Vwckham (Ngaere), J. Blair (Waipuku), Newtand (Wharchtua). Committee: Alesuames C. Burton, J Morrison, E. S. Walker, A. ;Cook; Secvatury: Mrs H. A. Hunt. Treasurer: Mrs W. P. Ross. Advisory Board member: Mrs H. Cleland. Press correspondent: Mrs C. Barton. Delegates to Provincial Executive: Mesdanies G. Major and M. T, Phillips. Entertainment committee: Mrs 0. Burton (convener), with power to add. The branch decided to cooperate as far as possible in relief matteis with the Central Relief Committee.