WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1932, Page 9

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

CONFERENCE AT NGAERE.

PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT.

The half-yearly council meeting of the Taranaki Federation of Women’s Institutes was held yesterday in the Town Hall, Ngaere. The president Of the federation, Mrs. Kaye (Inglewood), presided and there were present federation members, official. delegates and a large number of visitors from, the various institutes in Taranaki—a total of 250. '

| In extending a welcome to those prejsent Mrs. Kaye said it was extremely gratifying -to see such a large and reh presentative gathering. Special refer: ' ence was made to delegates from newly formed, institutes, as meetings such as this proved what. power for . good the movement held; She regarded the meeting as a red letter day in the his-, tory of the movement, it being the first, bi-annual conference of .the newly formed federation. The growing activities of the W.I. were being watched with a great deal of interest, and the aims, objects and ideals were so uplifting and inspiring that they couldnot ' help but hold women. The WJ. movement was a unique one in that for the "''first timein history country women were united without distinction ofspecialised . in-; terests, social rank, religious .denomination and political party in the common purpose of bettering country life for themselves or their community. The watchwords were home-making, citizenship . and co-operation, but Mrs. Kaye urged her hearers not to forget that their strength lay in unity in the bonds of fellowship with the womenhoed of the world. The movement had become so national and widespread that members must guard against any little self-centredness that might, perhaps creep into the institutes; they; mustV.be-.ever rea, iy widen their . keeping in touch with? btherZ institutes in both this and other lands. .. v . ' y “It is the? duty/of? every . member,” continued 'Mrs.'\Kaye,-;*‘ i ‘to i v view . .the. movement drom?its?wid©st ; aspect ..and. to remember , always/.that ‘ theirs is ,aj national organisation.” ? - J ?-.??//?<; The formal busiriess- waa-then.'pro-ceeded with? and. the half-yfearly- report and balance,-: sheet? were.; adopted.? Short institute 'reports.'were?read, by the delegates-fromvEltliam, . Inglewood, Kaponga, -Norfplk, Road, Ngaere, .Kai-;, mats, Tikorangi- . -'Pateai; TheNgaere report/was awarded -th© 'prize by; popular vote-and- -the, delegate ■ receiveda trophy presented by- Messrs. Robert Younge and Co.- in the form-pf a ‘silver, spoon with a : W';l.-‘badge foil-the handle. Mrs. Kaye-‘reported’ thfct«she had.represented Taranaki' at ? the , Dominion: conference at-Wellington, and expressed regret that no other delegates were sent ■from Taranaki. It was decided to hold the - federation annual meeting at Eltham next April. Mr. L. O. Hooker, manager of the flawera winter show,- addressed tho meeting regarding the possibility of . establishing a court of handcrafts at .the show. He said the show committee was particularly interested in articles made from waste materials and was prepared to arrange a large hall to he used entirely for the W.I. displays. The show could help the institute by bringing before the public practical evidence of its very fine accomplishment. Mr. Hooker brought to the notice of the meeting the scheme he was organising to provide books, etc., for the use 6f patients in mental hospitals. Mr. Hooker stated that so far he has been able to collect 2500 volumes for the library at Porirua, and he asked the institute members to assist in the work. Mrs. Kelsb assured him- that the institute’s felt • whole-: hedrted sympathy -and would do. every-. thing in its power to assist in making

the/ lives ' of 'these -unfortunate., people more congenial. > The following resolutions were pass-* ed:~- . -. '• “That each institute consider establishing a court of its own handcrafts at the Hawera winter ehow; a prize to be given to the institute arranging the most comprehensive and artistic display... In proportion, to its membership.” “That as the movement is growing so rapidly that there is need for more organisers, there must be a special fund at headquarters to meet the necessary, . , extra expense.” It was decided that all funds collected or raised. during one month of. the year should go to this Lund. - - •The meeting also approved of.or-: ./■ gifting group meetings, which would be; valuable as a friendly , link between neighbouring institutes and would be a means of exchanging-ideas. - < The meeting was addressed by Jiffs. Kelso, organising secretary for the Dominion and editor of the institute -magazine, who explained, the financial system and the general organisation of the movement in New Zealand. Special stress was laid on the boon the institute ■ rest cottages hod been to tired members. It . was hoped, as soon as finances could he arranged, to erect a number of these cottages throughput Taranaki.. Mrs. Kelso was accorded a.’ hearty vote of thanks. Mrs. Kelso presented to the Tara to institute a handsome shield donated by ( the Wellington Provincial Federation for the best crop, of potatoes. It was reported that 58Jb of potatoes had been, grown by a member with three, seed potatoes. Other features of the afternoon were a chair covering demonstration given by Mrs. Short, Feilding, and a little sketch produced by the Ngaere WJ. members entitled “-The Cramford Gard Party.” The principal actors were Mesdames Simpson, Harre, Coiaman and Dickson and Misses Taylor and Maxwell. Mrs. Veale, Stratford, was the wmner of a cake which was competed for. Mrs. Kaye expressed thanks to the Ngaere members, for the tremble they had taken in arranging the meeting and. entertaining those .present at .luncheon and afternoon tea. Mrs. Kaye also expressed thanks to Mrs. Kelso for- her jinspiring address and to Mrs. Short for her useful demonstration.