WOMEN’S DIVISION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19523, 24 June 1933, Page 3

WOMEN’S DIVISION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the South Canterbury Executive of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday. Present: Mesdames B. Evans (president), J. Salmond, P. R. Talbot, J. Hayhurst, J. Caird, H. L. Adam, W. Buchan, J. O. J. Olliver, R. A. Dickson, C. Ley, J. Gardner, J. C. Hay, J. Simpson, Fletcher, F. E. South, Inglis, Reid, Misses Olliver, Moyle, Fraser and McGowan. Dr Ada Paterson, Dr Baker McLaglen and Dr Phillip, medical health officers, addressed the meeting on the school medical service and, after a general discussion in committee, a resolution was carried expressing a wish for hearty co-operation between the service and the South Canterbury Executive in order to further the welfare of children in the country. The Acting-Minister of Education (the Hon. J. Bitchener) advised that the Department was unable to make any grant towards the transport of a sewing instructress from Timaru to the Pleasant Point District High School. It was thought that if any concession were made to Pleasant Point similar concessions would have to be made to a number of schools throughout the Dominion and the Department was not able to accept liability for the expense. . Mrs Gardner pointed out that there was no sewing teacher at Pleasant point other than the infant mistress and, she understood, Pleasant Point was the only secondary school in the Dominion where such conditions obtained. At a meeting it had been promised by the Education Board that, if the residents found half the Board would find the o.ther half cf the cost of the teacher's transport from Timaru.

Miss Olliyer said that the Board had promised to pay half, but they had then referred the matter to the Education Department, which had refused to agree, the Minister’s letter being the result After discussion it was agreed to write to the Dominion secretary asking whether or not Pleasant Point was the only secondary school in which sewing and dressmaking were not taught in the secondary department.

Later in the meeting it was decided to support a remit forwarded by the National Council of Women, urging the teaching of sewing in schools, more especially of altering garments and making new' ones from old. The South Canterbury Electric Power Board wrote stating that the Executive’s request for a reduction in rates had been considered by the Finance Committee. It was pointed out that no vendors of electricity operated without a minimum charge and that the Board had already this year made reductions amounting to £3,000.

Members stated that their bills had already been reduced, and it was agreed to send a letter to the Board expressing appreciat.on and asking that a further reduction in light units be made to users of electric ranges.