NINTH BIRTHDAY

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 22 (Supplement)

NINTH BIRTHDAY

HAWERA WOMEN’S DIVISION. LARGE CROWD AT CELEBRATION. Over 200 memborti of 17 South Taranaki branches of Hie Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union Joined in celebrating the ninth birthday of the Unworn branch nt li unity on Thursday. Among the guests were Mrs. C. K. Wilson (Pio Pio). Dominion president, Mrs. C. Benton (Auroa), South Taranaki president, Mrs. J. E. Campbell. May mew, Mrs. .1. R. Corrigan and Miss D. Corrigan. The feature of the afternoon was mi inspiring talk by Miss Corrigan that made a deep appeal to all members. Mrs. Wilson also outlined the work being done. A short concert programme was prov’ ’ed, items being given by Mrs. P. O. Venlo (pianoforte solo), Mrs. W. H. Snowsill (songs), Miss V. Quin (elocutionary items) and Mrs. E. Gannaway (songs). Mrs. Vcule .... ‘ Mrs. L. A. Taylor played the accompaniments. Ten was provided by branch members and Mrs. A. E. Death, president, wel-. rmed the visitors and guests, representative of the Auroa, Awatuna, Kapuni, Matapu, Hunter Road, Otakeho, Opunrkc. Manaia, Mercmere-Ohangai, Mokoia - Whakamara, Alton - Kakaramea, Whenuakura, Manutahi, Fraser Road, Okaiawa and Tokaora branches. Women's institutes at Turi-town, Turuturu, Normanby, Whareroa and Taiporohenui were also represented, and others present were the matrons of the hospital and old people’s home and Mrs. Tate, president of the Plunket Society. Mrs. Wilson in cutting the cake observed that there were no candles on it. “If there is one wish that I would make for women it is that they should all have electricity in their homes,” she said.

Mrs. Death asked Miss Corrigan to continue the talk she gave at the previous birthday party. In giving a general address that she b ->ped would be of assistance to the women of the division Miss Corrigan said she wanted to plant two borders in the garden of the soul—the S's and the L’s. In the S’s she stressed the importance of simplicity, sincerity, sympathy and service. “If we are sincere people will listen,” she said, “but if we merely parade propaganda people will merely ridicule. The cry of the League of Nations is peace, but the nations cannot work together until they are bound by sympathy and love, pot lust.” Mentioning the importance to a happy and full life of laughter, loyalty, light and love. Miss Corrigan spoke of denominations, which she said were like the surplus leaves of tomato plants. They were all very well when the plant was young and tender, but they were liable to detract from the strength of the plant when it came to bear fruit. The light of modern civilisation was inclined to dazzle, said the speaker, who thought it should perhaps be turned in another direction. She suggested that the discoveries of modern science were being used too much for destructive rather than constructive purposes. There was still much need for enlightenment. “The teachers and parents of to-day have the collective responsibility for the future in their hands,” stressed Miss Corrigan. “Nothing should be spared in the furtherance of our education system, for the seeds of light must be planted in the children.”

Life, she continued, was not merely eating, drinking and sleeping, but a full appreciation of all the beauties handed down. Abundant life was not meant foi a few, and it was everyone’s duty to see that her neighbour had not merely the necessities of life but the comforts also; not merely satisfaction but contentment. , Mrs. Benton thanked Miss Corrigan for her inspiring address an,d extended the good wishes of the executive to the Hawera branch. Mrs. Wilson stressed the division’s aim of “simple service.” The organisation had grown out of the needs of the women who organised and- supported it. Mrs. Wilson detailed the growth of the housekeeper and bush nurse schemes. The division wanted a motto, she added, and the most suitable yet suggested was “simple ser’uce simply given, to our own kind, in our common need.” She also asked support for the “community chest” and asked her listeners to aim at the ideal contained in a comment r--’de by a backblocks man: “More than any other body I have been acquainted with the Women’s Division has obeyed the Divine command, ‘bear ye one another’s burdens.’ ”

Bouquets were presented to Mesdames Wilson, Benton, Death, Corrigan and Campbell, Miss Corrigan and Mrs. C. Ro—lands, branch secretary.