WOMEN’S DIVISION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3938, 11 August 1937, Page 12

WOMEN’S DIVISION

SOUTH AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL MEETING. INTERESTING REPORTS. The quarterly meeting of the South Auckland provincial committee of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Parish Hall on sth August. The provincial president, Mrs F. J. B. Ryburn, presided, and delegates were present from the following branches: Te Awamutu, Ngahinapouri, Cambridge, Kawhia, Ohaupo, Hamilton, Korakonui, and Karakariki. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Miss Marshall (Cambridge), Mrs Clements and Dr de la Mare (Hamilton), Mrs Pegler (Raglan), and Mrs Worthington (Te Awamutu). The president welcomed all members and expressed sympathy to Mrs Empson, president of the Ngaruawahia branch of the Women’s Division, and Mrs Ward Chapman, president of the Federation of Women’s Institutes, Hamilton, in their recent bereavements. Mrs Ryburn expressed appreciation to the many who had personally and by letter offered her congratulations on her being one of the recipients of a Coronation medal, and said she felt that the honour which merited the gift was through the co-operation of branch members. She also appealed to members to bring any problems to provincial meetings, so that all might be solved for the efficient working of the organisation. Mrs Godfrey read Mrs C. K. Wilson’s last presidential address. Discussion followed regarding the proposed housekeeping scheme which it is hoped will alleviate this particular work at headquarters, and enable the membership to be increased. The committee appointed to formulate details for the scheme were Mesdames Ryburn, Cooper, Clements, Godfrey, and Jenkinson. A commission to inquire into maternity services in Hamilton meets on 16th September. Mesdames Scott (Ngutunui), Gould (Ngaroma), and Reynolds (Raglan) will report cases from isolated districts. Reports of the housekeeping quarterly period were given by Mrs Ryburn (provincial), Miss Eyre (Te Awamutu), and Mrs Windsor (Hamikon), and in each was stressed the urgent need for more housekeepers to supply the requests for service in this department. Mrs Gould (Ngaroma) advocated the need of a rest room in Te Awamutu, and quoted cases of inconvenience to those visiting Te Awamutu on business from outlying districts. She outlined briefly a financial proposition for the provision of a rest room. Mesdames Ryburn, Neill, and Godfrey were elected to confer with the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce as to the procedure in relation to such a project, and asking for their advice and help. Time did not permit Mrs Ryburn to deal fully with conference matters, but she said she would be pleased to visit any branches that might desire information regarding the conference.

Mrs Mclntosh, who accompanied Mrs Ryburn to the conference in Wellington, briefly mentioned the discussions and decisions of some of the remits forwarded.

Members are always appreciative of the valuable information so tactfully given by Mrs Mclntosh, and the privilege of having her as a representative to other organisations is a valued one.

Mrs Mclntosh paid a high tribute to Mrs Ryburn, who was elected to a seat on the Dominion Advisory Board and whose capabilities for office were very high. The meeting closed with the usual votes of thanks.

Luncheon and afternoon tea were dispensed by some of the Te Awamutu members, Mesdames G. Lawry and A. Bryant being the conveners.

IN THE KING COUNTRY. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL MEETS. Mrs C. K. Wilson, 0.8. E., presided at the quarterly meeting of the Provincial Council of the Women’s Division, and the following Branch representatives were present:—Otorohanga —Mesdames J. C. Peterson, Pye and Horneman; Pio Pio—Mesdames Batlev and Smith; Pururu—Mesdames Sungren and Stretch; Te Anga—Mrs Gordon; Waimiha-—Mrs Parke; Aria —Mesdames Thompson and Calvert; Kaeaea —Mrs Riddle. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames C. Irvine (Otorohanga), Milne (Te Anga), and Cullen (Pio Pio branch secretary). In answer to questions, Mrs Wilson stated that the Government had done nothing, so far, with regard to the State taking over the housekeeping scheme covering maternity cases. The Community Chest would be available for looking after needy and necessitous cases among members in the first instance. It was decided that Branch representation at inter-provincial Council will remain as formerly. A very comprehensive report by Mrs Cullen, delegate to the Conference, was read by the president. Th secretary of the Housekeeping Department, Mrs W. A. Lee (Waitomo Coves), detailed her report, showing what help had been extended to country famijies, which showed that 1,391 housekeeping oositions had been filled throughout the Dominion during the past year. Mrs Wilson explained that it was by snecial request that she had given her opening address at the Dominion Conference on July 14th last. Elocutionary and musical items by Mesdames Horneman (Otorohanga), Sutherland and Barlow, were well received and enchored.