WOMEN’S DIVISION WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1932, Page 10

WOMEN’S DIVISION WORK

ASSISTANCE IN COUNTRY HOMES.

EMPLOYMENT OF HOUSEKEEPERS.

(Contributed.)

A meeting of the Bush Nurse and Housekeeper Auxiliary was held at Masterton during March. Reductions of wages by employers ot housekeepers were confirmed. Leave of absence for four months was granted Miss Brown, visiting housekeeper, on account of the serious illness of her father. It was decided to send £lO and some blankets to a large family that had recently been burnt out and left nothing. A branch was suppling the family with clothing. The Dominion president stated that a member of the Women’s Division at Raglan had established a convalescent home and would take country women for 30s a week. Another member at leinuka had a convalescent home, charging 27s 6d a week. Mrs. Jackson considered that the Women’s Division should take up this work and in necessitous cases should, from the community chest, assist country women to go to these rest homes. The Dominion secretary reported that very few applications for housekeepers were coming to hand. At present 42 housekeepers were being employed, and the sewing woman had filled two engagements in Taranaki during the past month.

Housekeepers have been employed in the following districts: —South Auckland 16, Wellington Central 3, Taumarunui 5, Wanganui 3, Wairarapa 4, North Canterbury 1, Hawke’s Bay 1, Bay of Plenty I, North Auckland 2, Taranaki 1, Otago 4, Southland 1. The Wairarapa provincial executive during the last period placed only four housekeepers—one maternity case, two ill-health of mother, and one sickness in family. The Hamilton branch supplied 16 housekeepers, mostly in cases of sickness—seven to Morrinsville, two to Waingaro, and one each to Otorohanga, Kaimai, Matangi, *Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Te Mata and Ruawai. The Wanganui provincial executive supplied housekeepers to seven homes. Employment of local housekeepers made the travelling expenses very light, and this was much appreciated, as the employers were not in a position to pay the full salary and travelling expenses as well. ADVISORY. BOARD’S MEETING. A meeting of the advisory board was held in Wellington in March, when there were present Mesdames C. C. Jackson (Dominion president), D. Simpson (Dominion treasurer), Wilson and Wickham (Dominion vice-presidents), Carter and McCorkindale (advisory board), and McLean and Heb'berd (advisory members .bush nurse and housekeeping auxiliary), Pow and Lilburn (finance committee), and Mrs. Martin (book club). Mrs. Carter stated that Mrs. McGaffeny, Lone Hill, Havelock North, was willing to sell copies of her instructions for making wool mattresses to Women’s Division members. Mrs. McGaffeny had recently patented her idea. As Mrs. Simpson is leaving on a trip to England she resigned her position as Dominion treasurer and Mrs. Pow was appointed acting treasurer until the conference. It was decided to place on record an expression of appreciation of the great service given by Mrs. Simpson. As Mrs. Smith, Dominion secretary, has resigned, it was decided that the appointment of a new secretary be left to the Dominion president, Dominion secretary and Colonel Pow. The advisory board feels that none of the suggested mottoes quite meet the need of the Division and. suggests that members be asked to send in mottoes that are more concise. It was also decided to ask for suggestions for a Maori motto. The following motto committee was appointed to consider entries and report to conference: —The Dominion president, Mrs. Wilson (Pio Pib), Mrs. Ramsay (Hamilton), Mrs. Benton (Auroa), and Miss Finlayson (Dunedin). ■ All branches are to be asked if they are in favour of postponing the conference this year. In any case a meeting of the Dominion executive will be necessary. Arrangements have now been made to take the sons of New Zealand returned soldiers at Flock House. The boys must be between the ages of 16 and 18 years, and they will be given eight months’ training. Mrs. Jackson suggested that the Division could perhaps help to send one or two boys to Flock House in necessitous cases. Tt would take £25 to send one boy. Branches will be asked to send contributions towards this worthy work. Mrs. Carter stated that station 2ZW, Wellington, had agreed to broadcast a monthly report of the activities of the Division.

Arrangements are being made by Mrs. Wickham for badges to be worn by those who agree to “Trade within the Empire.” The following resolution was passed unanimously:—“That this meeting of the W.D.F.U. not only protests most emphatically against any curtailment of expenses in connection with the primary department of country schools, but also considers that in the present economic crisis encouragement should be given to land settlers.” The following deputation was appointed to wait on the Prime Minister in connection with the matter; —The president, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Wickham, Mr. W. J. Polson, and any other member of the Farmers’ Union available.

It was ‘agreed to support the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing.

The next meeting of the bush nurse and housekeeping auxiliary will be held at Palmerston North on the third Tuesday in June. Practically all of the third edition of the cookery book has been sold. _ The South Canterbury branch W’as , given permission to forward the following resolutions to members of Parliament:—“We protest against the proposal to abolish free conveyance of all post-primary school children; we protest against the proposal to abolish conveyance allowance to all primary school children; we consider that it should be given to children travelling over three miles; we protest against the proposal to close all grade O schools and teach by correspondence.” TOKO BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Toko branch of the Women’s Division was held on Thursday. The president, Mrs. T. V. Maunsell, apologised for the unavoidable absence of the treasurer, Mrs. Burgham, with whom a vote of sympathy in the loss of her daughter-in-law was passed. Those present were Mesdames T. V. Maunsell (president), L. Milne, Murray, Martell, Loving, Jones, J. Butler, Woolaston, Corbett, Simmons, Ward, John Butler, Harper, Lees, Anderson, lan Grierson, Misses Maunsell, Leydon, Leo, Butler Needham and Milne. The president outlined the year’s work and thanked the office-bearers and members for their loyal support; also Mr. Raynor, who audited the books. The year, she said had been a successful one in every way. It was decided to vote for the proposal “that the conference be postponed for one year.” At this stage Mrs. Harper took the chair and the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Maunsell; vice-presi-

dents, Mesdames Harper, Jones and Woolaston; secretary, Miss C. Milne; treasurer, Mrs. Leslie Marfell; committee, Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Anderson and Miss Needham; advisory board members, the president and Mrs L. Milne. MANAIA BRANCH.

The monthly meeting of the Manaia branch was held on Tuesday at Mrs. Bloor’s residence. Mrs. Sutherland presided and others present were Mesdames Young, Merrie, E. Wells, Walters, Browning, Rudkin, Crompton, Cryer, Duncan, Bloor, Gulliver and Henderson. It was decided to postpone the euchre party indefinitely. The meeting decided in favour of holding the annual Dominion conference.

■ An amusement committee was set up, consisting of Mesdames Walters, Rudkin, Gulliver, Cryer and Sutherland. Competitions for the most economical recipes were won by Mesdames Cryer (cake), Crompton (peanut butter) and, Bloor (jam pudding). Each competitor paid an entrance fee, and the recipes were then sold. It was decided to hold the next meeting on May 2 at the residence of Mrs. W. T. Wells, and to make it a “bring and buy” day. An invitation was received from Opunake to its birthday party on May 6, and the president asked all members who could accept it to send their names to her as soon as possible. RATAPIKO BRANCH FORMED. A meeting of ladies of the Ratapiko and outlying district was held in the Ratapiko hall on Thursday, at which Mrs. H. R. Marsh,. organising secretary for North Taranaki of the Women’s Division, presided. Mrs. Marsh gave a most interesting and instructive address setting forth the origin of the division and its aims, objects and business. Those present were most enthusiastic and unanimously decided to form a branch to be called the Ratapiko-Manga-nui branch. Mrs. A. L. Long was appointed president, ’ Mesdames Willans, Taylor and ‘Corbett and Miss D. Hill vice-president, and Mrs. B. M. Dust secretary. Mrs. Long proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Marsh for her address. Afternoon tea was then served. URENUI BRANCH. A largely attended meeting of the Urenui branch was held in the Urenui Hall, presided over by Mrs. J. F. Phillips. Mrs. J. Guthrie kindly took charge of the stall, which displayed some very clever and useful articles, each mad© out of a yard of cretonne. Airs. G. Salway donated a prize, for the best article, which was won by Miss Lily Phillips,, who gained the greatest number of votes with a pram eiderdown. On the occasion of her approaching marriage Miss Sheard (now Mrs. Rowan) was asked to accept a Division Cookery Guide as a token of goodwill from her fellow members.

At the conclusion a dainty afternoon tea was served.