WOMEN’S DIVISION NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1931, Page 7 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION NOTES.

DOM IX lON-W1 DE ACT IVJT Y.

(Contributed.) A growing activity in the W.D.F.U. is the setting up of exchanges in branches. The aim of these is to enable members to find an outlet for surplus goods and to make a little pocket money. This is especially so in the fruit season and towards Christmas. Women sell or exchange all sorts of surplus

produce and handicrafts. To help its members, the W.D.F.U. set up open markets in several towns. I (Invercargill began in only a small way, (the committee having no capital. Counitry women were asked to supply quality goods at a reasonable cost. Town .women were advised that here were goods fresh from the producer. Surplus poultry, when dressed ready for the liable, finds a ready market at renumer■ative prices. Recently in Invercargill >lOO poultry and 25 geese were sold at •the W.D.F.U. market on a Saturday morning. Christchurch and Wanganui I (have their markets, each being held on ■the day of the W.D. branch meeting. I (Butter, eggs, fruit, vegetables, dripping, ■cakes, biscuits, flowers, plants, chutney, pickles, jam, sauces, potted meats, (handicraft and many other things find a ready sale. The country women price (their own goods, and the W.D. takes (Id from each Is to defray expenses. ■The venture is for the benefit of individual members. The money is usually ispent where it is made, and thus reciprocity is seen at its best, between (town and country. Gore has also a ivory successful market, and the possibility of setting up one in Dunedin is (being considered. Mrs. L. Walters was "at home” to (members of the Manaia W.D. or August 4, and a very pleasant afternoon iwas spent. Mrs. Sutherland presided and gave an interesting discourse on (conference remits. A cooking competition for oven scones was judged by Mrs. Donald and Mrs. Henderson, who awarded first prize to Mrs. Bloor. Mrs. J. Mitchell kindly donated the trophy. The next competition is for the best d’oyley. A guessing competition was drawn and Mr. W. Bannerman secured (the winning ticket, the prize being a mystery box containing an assortment lof useful articles. A daint, afternoon tea was served.

At the monthly meeting of the Uruti (branch Mrs. Butt presided and Miss iMusker read a report of the Dominion (conference. A competition, "anatomy .tea,” was won by Mrs. W. Lawrence. iA new member was welcomed. It was (decided to procure more cookery books. .A number of fresh books were distributed among the Book Club members. The Okaiawa branch held a largely attended meeting at Mrs. G. Oldfield’s residence during the month, when the delegate gave a detailed account of conference work. Preliminary arrangements were made for a euchre party (and dance.

At a meeting of the Mauricevilletlhurana branch at Masterton the sum io! So wae granted towards the birthday cake given by Wairarapa branches. lA competition for the best article made ifrom a sugar bag was judged by Mrs. |W. James, who awarded first prize to Mrs. R. Dagg for her mat of fringed and dyed sugar bag. There were 23 members present at (the monthly meeting of the Hawera (branch in August, presided over by Mrs. 'iW. E. Carter. Three social afternoons (have been held during the month, Mrs. {Roberts being hostess at Ararata, Mrs. McDonald at Norananby, and Mrs. Meuli and Mrs. W. Nicholas at Wharcroa. The funds have benefitted to the extent of £4 15s Cd from these gatherings. »A demonstration on tree pruning was carried out at the residence of Mr. E. iK. Cameron. Owing to the lateness of ithe season, it was decided not to hold ia dressmaking class. At a well-attended meeting at WhanIgamomona, presided over I by Mrs. (Stockwell, the district nurse, Miss McCarrol, gave a very interesting address. These lectures are imparting a great deal of information to members and are .much appreciated. The Kaupokonui branch has made find donated a number of articles to a t very necessitous local case, and has in a large quantity to the Comtniunity Chest. Garments are also cut ,out for members at a charge of Is icach. A side-table for the sale of rose,cuttings and plants proved most popular. Cuttings were sold at Id each and Realised a sum of 8s lOd. The Oamaru 'branch president, Mrs. (Meek, reported that much work had ,been done in the country districts by collecting and distributing clothing ,and blankets to needy families. A new Branch was opened at Enfield with a

large membership and branches are being formed at Waitaki, Maheno and Herbert. Another step 4°rward Die progress ,of the . Women’s Division was made during the annual conference. A remit from the Taihape branch recommending the appointment of one or more sewing women to the staff, at the same rate of pay as the housekeepers, was (carried unanimously. It was stated by .delegates that division housekeepers who were clever in making children’s 'clothes, and re-making clothes, were asked to leave the housework and do (the sewing as soon as their gifts in this direction were discovered. The suggestion that visiting seeing women anight be appointed came from one of (the division housekeepers, whose experience in many homes finally led her ito bring the matter to the attention of the branch. Rules and administration (with regard to this scheme have yet to be evolved, but from the data presented by delegates there can be no doubt (that a very real need exists in many (districts in New Zealand for women ■with knowledge and ekill in the making and renovating of clothes. The development of the scheme will be watched with interest.

The Dominion conference further altered the constitution of the Women’s Division with regard to eligibility for (membership,. Membership is now. so (wide - that it embraces all women who are interested in the welfare of country

(women as well as all country women. (The rule now reads; —“The Women’s Division shall consist of ordinary, honorary, and life members, who shall be i(a) The wives, mothers, sisters, or (daughters of owners or holders of rural (lands, or (b) women engaged in agricultural, pastoral, dairying, fruit-grow-ing, fowl raising or other pursuits, or i(cj the wives, mothers, sisters, or daughters of retired farmers, or (d) town members, who have the privilege <of voting, but are not eligible for holding office except that or 'treasurer.’* v (t -: * ■* The monthly meeting Bell

Block branch was held recently at the •residence of Mrs. Percy Sole, Devon Road, Mrs. French presiding oyer a ■very good attendance. Two visitors from the Lepperton branch were present, Mesdames A. Drake and Openshaw, the former giving a demonstration of the making of lamp shades. •Two handsome finished specimens of her handicraft were shown, and were tmueh admired. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Drake for the capable way in which she had given her demonstration, Aftcrnoop tea, dispensed by the hostess, brought to a close a mlcasant and instructive afternoon.