COUNTRY WOMEN’S WORK

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6565, 13 September 1948, Page 3

COUNTRY WOMEN’S WORK

DISCUSSED AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF WOMEN’S DIVISION “CUSTODIANS OF THE FUTURE’’ Country women from all parts of New Zealand attended the Dominion Conference of the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, states the Otago Daily Times. The conference was held in Dunedin —as were a number of other conferences in Otago’s centennial year—and was officially opened by the Mayoress, Lady Cameron. The unity of purpose and outlook of the 600 or more women present from New Zealand’s membership of 22,000 was stressed from the outset by the singing of the Women’s Division song, after 'which distant visitors and guests were welcomed by the Dominion president, Mrs W. 11. Ellioty who said that the division motto, “Service for Others In Time of Need,’’ linked them and their present? work with the wonderful example of the pioneers. The provincial president, Mrs J. M. Charles, also spoke in welcome, expressing delight that all executive members from every part of the North and South Islands had been able to attend. Mrs J. Radford, of Cromwell, on behalf of It-he executive, then presented bouquets to Lady Cameron and Mrs Elliott, and shoulder sprays to Mrs Charles, Mrs A. B. Smith (Domioion secretary), and Mrs J. Leatham (Otago secretary).

“We are the custodians of the future, and the development and progress of its women and children are in our hands,” said Lady Cameron, in wishing every success to the conference, before, with delightfully simplicity, officially declaring the conference open.

The recent decline in numbers of rural workers and the importance of maintaining a good balance between town and country if New Zealand was to prosper, was mentioned by Mr Stuart Sim, Otago president of the Federated Farmers, when thanking the Women’s Division for their good work. Without discrediting othea workers, he considered farming the most important, particularly at this time of world shortages, and security could not return until 'workers in greater supply were -brought back to this vital task. Mr H. A. S. Orbell, also speaking on behalf of the Federated Farmer's, referred to the increased strain in country women due to the lack of help in their part of the farm life.

Mr A. C. Camcron paid a tribute to the work of the women on the land. He spoke briefly of .the progress 'of the division through the years, and particularly, complimented the Otago Division on its choice of able leaders throughout its history.

The progress of the v division depends on each member,’’ said Mrs Elliott in presenting a very detailed rind comprehensive report at the.conclusion of her three years of office as Dominion president. The three years of Mrs Elliott’s presidency had coincided with the first 'three years of allegiance to the Federated Farmers by the Women’s Division, who previous to that time were known as the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, and these had been years of great progress. Farmers’ Rest Homes

The highlight of the past year’s work had been the purchase of “Scotlands” as a rest home for farmers, their wives and families at Onehunga, Auckland, Mrs Elliott reported, and with the holiday home given by Dr Agnes Bennett at Lowry Bay, Wellington, this completed a chain of two rest homes in the North Island and two in the south. Every rest home was within easy and quick transport distance of a town or city, giving guests, if they desired, the joy of shopping and of amenities' of .a life entirely different from country life. They were a great advantage io the division.

The difficulty of providing housekeepers was still a major problem, she said, as industries had captured much of the available woman-power with their alluring 40-hour week. The Maori girls’ training scheme had proved of immense service, especially to young mothers with little children, and it was hoped to extend this work and take in more trainees!. Mrs Elliott urged the necessity of resuming the country girls’ weeks which had Sitopped during the war, as they were of educational value to the young members of the division. Five tutors were now working with the coordinating committee, and the new set-up" would give universities a more prominent pant in adult country education, a practical and useful service to the many divisional women. Need for Co-operation

Deploring the lack of co-operation between town and country, Mrs Elliott spoke of the increased need for a greater production of food for the ever-increasing population of a starving world. This, she said was not the responsibility of the primary producer alone; it was everybody’s responsibility. The /Steady flow of labour to industry rather than agriculture was proof of the necessity to increase the agricultural colleges and to educate and encourage the youth to an appreciation of this work which gave the country its prosperity. In demonstration of ihc vast amount of work that had already been done and was still being done by the various branches, the Provincial Presidents of the 40 different districts paraded, telling not only of the number of branches formed in their areas and their membership, but also giving the amount their divisions had donated towards and establishing of the much needed ici'.t homes, particularly “Scotlands.” In spite of difficulties of communication in many of the wide-spread areas, it was found that tip to the present, a grand total of .£4,033 had been collected throughout New Zealand for “Scotlands” alone. The election of officers for 1948-49 resulted in the appointment of Mrs J. K. Haldane as Dominion president, and Mesdames E. R. Black (Poverty Bay), A. Blackmore (Thames Valley), G. Lamplough (Central Taranaki), L. Coop (Nth Canterbury), M. Macintosh (Southland), and A. G. Schroder

(Mari be rough), as Domion vicepresidents. O-iher offices were filled as follows:: Finance Committee—Mesdames L. W. Jenkins (Manawatu), P. Jordan, W. B. Preshan, V. C. Williams (all Wellington); Advisory Board—Mesdames R. D. Eastwood (Piako), W. F. Field (Wellington Central). G. Killen (North Auckland), G. W. Fairweather (North Canterbury), A. S. Hayman (Mid-Canterbury), T. MWatson (Southland); treasurer, Mrs H. J. McLeavey (Manawatu).