WOMEN'S DIVISION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19394, 19 January 1933, Page 3

WOMEN'S DIVISION

DOMINION EXECUTIVE MEETING. REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING IN TIMARU. The half-yearly meeting of delegates to the Dominion Executive of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union opened in Timaru yesterday at the Cafe Carlton. Delegates present included: —Mesdames C. C. Jackson, Wairarapa (president), J. Pow (treasurer), C. E. Conor (secretary). H. W. Ward and T Drake (vice-presidents), J. D. Hall (Advisory Board member). F. Johnson (Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive), C. Mclntosh (North Canterbury Provincial), Stevens (Wellington Central Provincial), B. E. Evans (South Canterbury Provincial). M. Bethell (Amuri), Flem lg (Ashburton), H. G. Denham (Christchurch), C. Anderson (Clutha), W. Annan (Clyde), Frew (Enfield), McLatchie (Hilderthorpe), W. R. King (Invercargill), W. McDowell (Maharewa), James (Middlemarch), J. Clark (Milton), W. Elliott (Milburn-Clarendon), G. Templeton (Motukarara), Meek (Oamaru), J. Craig (Palmerston South), C. Jewell (Tahatika), G. G. Henderson (Tai Tapu and district), W. Buchan (Temuka), Cleave (Upper Waitaki), W. J. McKenzie (Waihoihoi), C. Hallum (Waikouaiti), F. J. Meyer (Waimate), J. B. Chapman (Waitaki), G. Cower.s (West-Eyreton), A. Grant (West Taieri), 11. Ellem (Woodend), H. Lundius (Wellington), J. Williamson (Fielding), J. Smith (Miller’s Flat), Rapson (Ngapara) and Misses O. Marshall (South Auckland Provincial), A. C. Cole (Waitemata Provincial), E. Lawson (Waitemata), F. V. Finlayson (Otago Provincial) and Fraser (Wanganui). Other non-voting delegates were present from many part of the Dominion. Welcome Extended. Mr P. R. Talbot, on of the South Canterbury Executive, of the Farmers’ Union, welcomed the delegates to Timaru. He referred to the progress the women’s branches had made in such a short time, and complimented them on the wonderful work they were doing. The support given the Farmers’ Union by the Women’s Division was stressed by Mr Talbot, who said that the present times provided every opportunity for the utmost co-operation. He assured the meeting that the women’s movement had the full support of the men's division. The welcome was acknowledged by Mrs Ward (Southland), who said that the Women’s Division was fully appreciative of the support the Farmers’ Union had given to the movement since its inception. She referred to the efforts of the Union to reduce costs, and said that she was sure that the Farmers’ Union had never done anything unfair to any section of the community. President’s Address. In a short address, the president referred to the progress the branches had made since last meeting. It had been suggested that a junior division of the movement might be formed in the Dominion, and this, she thought, was on right lines. There was a tendency at present to view problems from a parochial aspect, but the time was opportune when national and inter-national matters should be discussed. In this direction, girls who would ultimately become members of the senior division would become well versed. The Provincial Councils were proving their worth, and the time must come when all branches would be linked by councils or executives. The present time had made it difficult for large branches, owing to the costs to members for travelling, and with the formation of several small districts in one centre, more interest was taken and travelling time was saved. Flock House Scheme. The president outlined the part the Division had played in the support of two boys at Flock House, several delegates supplementing her remarks. It was decided, on the motion of Mesdames Clark and Annan, that any branches or executives desiring to send a boy to Flock House may do so providing they still contribute to the 1 general headquarters’ fund. Advertising Signs. Mrs Jackson referred to the attitude taken by the Governor-General in regard to advertising signs. The Division had agreed with Lord Bledisloe’s remarks that such signs were undesirI able, and were pleased that he had condemned them. It was agreed, on the motion of Mesdames Drake and Denham, that the Governor-General be supported and thanked for the attitude he had taken. Bible In Schools. Referring to the Bible in Schools question, the president said that on a previous occasion when the Churches were united in agreement on the Bill, the Division had passed a resolution of support. Since then, however, one Church had disagreed with the Bill, and as the Division was non-sectarian, she thought it would be advisable to discontinue discussion on the subject. Moved by Mrs Ward, the following motion was carried: “That as the Bible in Schools question is again in debate, the Women’s Division refrain from discussing it further.” Financial Statement. In presenting the half-yearly financial statement, the treasurer (Mrs Pow) made an appeal on behalf of the Community Chest. The Government grant of £l5O for housekeepers’ travelling expenses would not be forthcoming this year, she said, and this sum would have to be made up out of the Chest. In 1930-31 donations to the Chest fund from branches amounted to £709; in 1931-32, £SOO. and so far this year £250 had been received. It was suggested that the Community Chest should bear a portion of the general expenses account. The president explained that it cost £4OO to run headquarters, and if more members were enrolled, branches would benefit by decreased contributions. Jhe present Dominion membership was 10.000. It was unanimously decided: “That the Community Chest should bear a portion of the general expenses for the current year, that proportion to be left to the Finance Committee to recommend.” | The treasurer was accorded a hearty | vote of thanks for her work. j Housekeeper Auxiliary, j Several recommendations from the j Bush Nurse and Housekeeper Auxiliary, ! in reference to the nursing and housej keeping schemes, were approved. The following suggestion from Marton was approved: “That the Women’s 1 Division organise a chain of rest homes for country women and children who require care and rest, this j scheme to be under the control of Proj vincial or branch executives and finanj ced on the same basis as the Housekeeper Auxiliary.” General. A proposal to introduce voting by proxy at conferences was rejected, the

following remit from the Southland Provincial Executive being approved: “That as there cannot be fair representation at a conference until there is executive representation only, some means to form all branches into executives should be taken by Dominion officials so that after 1934 there will be no branch representation.” It was decided that the Division’s badge be regarded as representing also trade within the Empire. Mrs Burdon moved, and Miss Marshall seconded, that a proposal for a Dominion wool display he not gone on with. It was stated that branches were carrying out their own displays in a very satisfactory manner. The motion was carried. A suggestion that the Finance Committee be given power to make grants for dental treatment for children in isolated districts was rejected on the grounds of the possible heavy calls on the funds. It was agreed that presidents of junior branches be invited to attend next conference. Permission was given junior members to wear senior badges. It was agreed that the profits from the fourth edition of “The Household Guide” be used for organising expenses. Remits. “That any branch be allowed to send relief directly after any disaster, to the branch in the affected area, headquarters to be notified in all cases,” was a proposal submitted by the Wellington Central Provincial Executive.— Lost. Southland Provincial Executive: “That the advisability of employing an organiser for three months for the North and South Islands should be considered.” Delegates were of opinion that there were many districts in need of organising, but favoured the present lines, and the remit was not put. North Canterbury Provincial:— “That we desire the fact to be once more emphasised that the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union is nonparty in politics, and is undenominational, as there has been talk in Canterbury of the Division's helping in political matters.” —Carried.

Southland Provincial Executive.— “That newly-formed branches be allowed to retain members’ subscriptions for the first year in order to start the branch.” —Carried. South Auckland Provincial Executive.—“ That sewing women’s wages should stand at 25/- per week, and be 5/- per day instead of 7/- per day as at present.”—Carried. South Auckland Provincial Executive:—“That the Government should place unemployed on vacant sections to clear them of ragwort and bring them into production.” Miss Marshall said that the ragwort menace in the North Island was preventing production, and urgent representations should be made to curb what was becoming a very serious problem. The president said that the unemployed should be placed on productive work. The remit had been occupying the attention of the Farmers Union, who were very definite on the subject. The remit was carried. South Auckland Provincial Executive.—“ That considering unemployment, ex-public servants on superannuation should not be allowed to accept another position and at the same time retain their superannuation."—Carried. North Canterbury Provincial Executive.—“ While realising that the very attractive colourings of wool hav? done much to stimulate an interest in knitting, we desire to urge manufajturers to do their utmost in lining wool

for the making of mattresses, cushions, quilts pillows, etc., instead of imported kapok.” The president was of opinion that manufacturers should be asked to market wool mattresses, and failing that Branches should urge members to make the articles. The remit was carried. North Auckland Provincial Executive.—“ That attempts should be made by those employing domestic labour to improve working conditions and so make domestic duties more attractive.”—Carried. Poultry Registration. Remits of protest against the proposed legislation for the registration of twelve fowls or more, were received from the South Auckland, North Canterbury, Southland and South Canterbury Provincial Executive, and the Greytown Branch. The president said that the Farmers’ Union had similar remits under consideration, and the Women’s Division could reasonably hope for every support. Miss Marshall regarded the proposed legislation as ridiculous. There was she said tremendous opposition to it. Mrs Ward considered that an egg from a mongrel was quite as good as that from a purebred bird. In her opinion, commercial interests must be behind the agitation. Many prominent poultry-keepers in the Dominion had raised opposition to the Bill. It was decided, on the motion of Mesdames King and Annan, that the president and another member of the Executive be appointed to voice the Division’s protest against the proposed legislation to the Minister of Agriculture. Teiepnone Rentals. The Southland Provincial Executive and the North Auckland Provincial Executive submitted remits advocating reduction of telephone rentals. The president explained that representations had been made to the Government over the last five years. It seemed in view of the Postmaster - General's recent reply, that the only thing to do was to keep hammering away at the Government. The remits were approved. South Auckland Provincial Executive:—“That charges for rural telephones be revised, and that country districts over ten miles from an exchange be put on a flat rate.” —Carried. Southland Provincial Executive. — "That in country districts where the telephone is open after 8 p.m.. and the minimum charge is 4d. subscribers oe allowed six minutes. This would encourage subscribers to use the telephone for trunk calls more freely.”— Carried. Chinese Question. South Auckland Provincial Association:—“That we view with deep concern the degradation of the moral character of so many .New Zealand girls, white and Maori, by their being allowed to work in Chinese market gardens and laundries, and ask that our Division join an emphatic protest, as other women's organisations are doing, and have our girls debarred from working for Chinese. Onewhero:—“That it is imperative that legislation be brought in at the earliest possible moment to prevent the employment of European and Maori girls by Chinese." Pataruru. —“This branch emphatically protests against the employmen. of white and Maori girls by Chinese and we urge all branches to take up this matter and send protests.” The remits were sponsored by Miss Marshall, who said that the matter was one for urgent consideration. In seconding the remits. Miss La\.son said that the position was deplor-

able. epecially at Pukekohe, where a great many girls were employed. The remits were unanimously approved. it being stated that they could be referred to the League of Mothers or the National Council of Women. Education Matters. South Canterbury Provincial Council.—“ That in all country schools, plain sewing should be a compulsory subject.” In moving the remit, which was approved. Mrs Evans said that what was most desired was competent sewing tuition. The president stated that owing to economies several country scholars received no sewing instruction. This instruction should be restored. South Canterbury Provincial Executive. —“That this executive regrets the action of the Government in raising the school age of children entering the

primary schools, and this executive joins with the New Zealand Educational Institute and others asking thr.t this Act be repealed and a return r.i d to the former age of admittan: . namely five years." The loss of grading to country schools through the raising of t'\ % . school age was mentioned by A. > Evans, in moving the remit. wh»* n was adopted. The meeting adjourned at 11 p.ui. until 9 a.m. to-day. •

Is your fur coat or fur necklet looking shabby? Then bring it to us for renovation. Every branch of fur work is executed in our own workshop at the .shortest notice. Reduced charge during summer months. London Fur Co., Tekgpo Buildings, Stafford Bt