WOMEN’S DIVISION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20058, 15 March 1935, Page 12

WOMEN’S DIVISION

{INTERPRO VINCI AL CONFERENCE) The first interprovincial conference of the Women’s Division of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union, comprising representatives from North, Mid, and South Canterbury, was held in Ashburton, and presided over by Mrs Johnston, Provincial President of the MidCanterbury Executive. Other Provincial presidents and secretaries present were:—Mrs H. A. Nutt and Miss Francis L. Cooper (North Canterbury) and Mrs B. E. Evans and Miss V. Kingston (South Canterbury), Mrs Colin Mclntosh, a Dominion vicepresident, was also in attendance. Mrs C. Rickard (Mid-Canterbury Provincial Secretary) was appointed conference secretary, while Miss Cooper and Miss Kingston were made responsible for reports for their respective Districts. Many interesting and helpful discussions took place on the various remits considered by the Conference. Team Work The value of team work was emphasised by Mrs Buchan, who said that such a conference could not but prove of the greatest benefit to the work of the Division. The following South Canterbury remit was adopted:—“That as this proposed Interprovincial Conference must prove of the utmost value to the work of the Women’s Division in Canterbury, we would suggest that this be made an annual fixture, the place of next meeting to be decided at this Conference: also date (approx.) We would suggest also that the Farmers’ Union Executive be approached as to the advisability of holding a similar Conference on the same date, and at the same place.” It was agreed that copies be sent to the various Provincial Executives of the Farmers’ Union concerned for their consideration. It was further decided that the 1936 Conference be held in Timaru in March on a date to be arranged.

A discussion took place as to whether it was in the best interests of Canterbury to have one president for the Dominion, or one for the North Island and one for the South Island. However, the idea of two independent presidents did not meet with favour, and it was felt that a division of this nature could lead only to disunity. The matter of secondary school children receiving assistance in the same manner as primary school children with respect to travelling expenses was discussed. It was pointed out that primary school education was considered a necessity, but secondary school education was not compulsory, and although the Education Board would like to assist, the non-receipt of travelling expenses by secondary school children was merely an economy measure, and no doubt when times improved, these extra travelling expenses would be granted. Lincoln College North Canterbury forwarded the following remit for consideration:—“That we make representations to the proper quarter for the admission of a limited number of girls to Lincoln College for the purpose of studying those subjects in which they are interested.”

Mrs Nutt, in moving the remit, stated that she considered it would be a wonderful opportunity for girls who were country minded if it could be arranged for them to attend Lincoln College for the purpose of obtaining a thorough grounding in those subjects in which they were interested, such as butter and cheese making, poultry raising, etc. The motion was seconded by Mrs Henderson, and it was agreed that a letter to this effect be sent to the Board of Governors of Lincoln Cellege. at the same time forwarding a copy to the July Dominion Conference. Another matter which received attention was the frequent transfer of teachers in country schools, and one case was instanced where a school had had nine teachers in seven years, which was obviously not fair to the children. On the motion of Mrs Evans, seconded by Mrs Meyer, the following resolution was passed to be forwarded to the Education Board for consideration: “That we are deeply concerned at tfffc constant removals of teachers in small country schools, and would suggest that even if the grade does fall, that the same teacher be retained at the former wage for a reasonable term, say, two years.” Railway Concessions South Canterbury introduced the matter of concessions on second-class railway fares for delegates attending Women’s Division Conferences, and it was agreed that a remit containing this request be forwarded to the July Conference for consideration. Miss Cargill, president of the South Canterbury Market Committee, gave a most interesting and instructive address on the working of the market, and was accorded a vote of thanks. Mrs H. A. Nutt, provincial president of the North Canterbury executive, spoke of the Country Girls’ Education Week held in Christchurch last September, and gave many particulars, which must prove very helpful to any other district considering holding such an educational week. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Nutt for her address

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