THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 10

THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION

WOMEN’S SECTION A room such as might have been found in the early pioneer homesteads in this country will be reconstructed in the women’s section of.the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. It will be furnished with genuine antiques and personal possessions in the taste and style of the period, will probably contain one of two lay figures in the oldfashioned costumes of that by-gone era, and will be in every respect historically accurate. Only in one way will it differ from the home of any early settler: almost every article in it will be rich in old associations, being the actual property owned and used by the great men and women who laid the foundation stones of New Zealand history. In an interview with the Press, Mrs C. P. Hainsworth, organiser of the women’s section, said that this original and interesting idea emanated from the Christchurch Women’s Committee— Mrs M. G. Moore (chairman), Mrs Cecil Wood (hon. secretary), Mrs Mowbray Tripp, Mrs A. K. Warren, and Mr H. G. Helmore. The committee stated that it was known where a number of articles of historic worth were to be found, and it was expected that many others would come to light in due course.

South Island’s Share

The scheme was approved by the Loans Committee of the women's section at Wellington and by members of the Otago Committee—Mrs J. Sutherland Ross and Mrs R. Dawson. It was decided that Canterbury and Otago should unite in this endeavour, and that the period room should be the main feature of the South Island display in the loans section. Tire North Island, also, said Mrs Hainsworth, would exhibit a collection of historic and interesting articles associated with the early settlement of the Dominion, but theirs would be a more general display. Town clerks and local bodies throughout the North Island had been contacted and already the response was most gratifying. Mrs Hainsworth expressed high praise of the zest and enthusiasm of Canterbury and Otago women in supporting the women’s section of the exhibition.

Handicraft of To-day

In contrast to the historic portion of the display, she said, the women’s section would also contain much valuable handicraft of the descendants of the pioneers. It would be duly representative of every phase of women’s life in the Dominion to-day. A large handicrafts section was planned, and it was remarkable that already considerable interest in this section had been shown 'by overseas women. Inquiries had been received from women in England and Scotland as a result of interest roused during Mr and Mrs Hainsworth’s visit to the Old Country last year. The section would not only contain samples of products of all such arts and crafts as were open to women, but would include actual demonstrations of how these various articles were made—“working exhibits," Mrs Hainsworth called them. Skilled exponents would show the processes of, say, weaving, pottery, china painting, metal working, and similar handicrafts in which women excelled. The standard of craftsmanship aimed at would be as high as possible. Countrywomen’s Interests In addition there would be an important countrywomen’s section, where the interests and activities of farmers’ wives and other country dwellers would be fully represented, and every subject which might occupy tire rural housewife’s working hours or leisure would find a place in this section. Arrangements were being made for authoritative lectures and demonstrations in the capacious lecture hall attached to the women’s section. Women Who were recognised as Dominion and even world authorities on their subjects would discuss them at length, with practical demonstrations, and no doubt prominent visitors from overseas would also speak on subjects of interest to women.

Among the subjects for which arrangements had so far been made were horticulture, nursing, child welfare, medicine, home science, electricity, music, art and literature, drama, and cookery. Considerable emphasis was to be laid on the cultural aspect of these lectures.

The section will also contain a library of the works of New Zealand women authors.