VITAL FORCE IN COUNTRY

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1931, Page 9

VITAL FORCE IN COUNTRY

WOMEN’S DIVISION WORK ORGANISATION MAKES ADVANCE ■DOMINION EXECUTIVE MEETING. B/ Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The Dominion executive of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union commenced its first half-yearly meeting for 1931 in First Church Hall this morning, Mrs. C. C. Jackson, of Kopuaranga (Wairarapa), presiding over an attendance of 50 delegates. ■ Motions of sympathy were passed with Mrs. W. G. Care (Cambridge) in the death of her son and with Mrs. Houghton (Raetihi) in the death of her husband. In introducing discussion on the question of affiliation with the National Council of Women, the secretary (Mrs. P. M. Smith) said it was suggested that they should appoint two delegates . from the Dominion executive to attend a meeting in Wellington. Country women were wanted. It was moved that the matter be held over till the conference. By way of amendment it was moved that the question be dealt with at once, somebody to be appointed to ao into the matter) ° Mrs. D. Simpson (Marton) said what they wished to know was whether it would be possible for each individual branch to join up with the local body of the council if the division. as an organisation affiliated with the national council. After further discussion the amendment was carried. After some discussion concerning registration of the division as an incorporated body it was decided, on the motion of Miss Polson (Wanganui), that legal advice be secured before anything was done. The president in her address referred to the .progress the Women’s Division had made during the past six months and assured them that throughout the length and breadth of the division the spirit of comradeship was in evidence and the hand of friendly happiness was ever extended. They were making the lives of their countrywomen safer, happier and more attractive, and we're being considered a vital force in the land?" At many receptions tendered to her on behalf of the division addresses by Mayors and Ministers of the Crown had acknowledged the fact that whenever a branch had been wormed it had been for the betterment of the district. It was the opinion generally expressed which assured them they were render ing service to their country. RESPONSIBILITY INVOLVED. It would be difficult to overestimate the importance to New Zealand of an organised body of thousands of womens with aims and objects before them. They must realise that considerable responsibility was involved in being members of this splendid organisation, and they must individually and collectively keep their objective and constitution well before them. They must endeavour to do what was in the power of all to further the spirit of comradeship \and to inculcate the community spirit. It was important that they should realise to the full that their power lay in self-effacement for the cause for which they were all working and not in selfseeking. There had been two outstanding objectives during her term of office;, first, to increase their membership, and secondly, to visit all branches possible. During the last six months their membership had increased by some hundreds of women. The organising committee set up in conference had done o-reat work during the past months and the thanks of the division were due to those women who had given time, and cney for the advancement oi the organisation. Gratitude was due also to Mr. Cameron (secretary of the ■Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union) for his assistance and encouragement. Mrs. Jackson added-that ■ the. Farmers’ Union had dismissed the question of starting a Farmers’ Union paper and a committee had been set up to see if it could be established, but the time did not seem to be opportune, and so on account of financial reasons the matter had been put off, perhaps for a year or two. However, it-was hoped that they would some day get a paper of their own, for although there were already many good papers they wanted a journal that would advertise their own work. ORGANISATION NEEDED.

The president made' an appeal to all members of the division to help in establishing a strong organisation by asking their husbands, brothers and friends to become members of the Farmers’ Union. By definite organisation they would better their conditions in every way, including the viewpoints of education and medical and dental treatment. In the country they did not have the i benefits that were obtainable in the city, but there was no reason why the country should not be just as well settled. . If they organised on a Dominion-wide basis they would have much more influence in their representations to the Government. < The president was heartily thanked fo her address. • , ' y , The date of the next mid-summer executive meeting was fsxed for January, an amendment in favour of February being negatived. The annual conference will also be held January. It was resolved to make further inquiries into the position of the King George Hospital at Rotorua and to urge that the health of children should be looked after as efficiently in the future as in the past. Lengthy discussion took place on housekeepers’ salaries, and it was resolved that owing to the present unfavourable economic conditions a reduction in these salaries was desirable. Accordingly it was decided that the present wages ■be reduced from to 40s, lower grades to be reduced in proportion, and all new housekeepers to b engaged at 255. If the motion should prove unsatisfactory the bush nurse and housekeeper auxiliaries will adjust the position. During discussion on the office of president the •' opinion. was expressed that the next Dominion. president should be chosen from the' South Island.

It is expected ,the-, meeting will conclude, its list of business to-morrow.