WORK OF THE W.D.F.U.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3109, 27 January 1934, Page 5

WORK OF THE W.D.F.U.

HELPING OUTBACK PEOPLE CONFERENCE AT WANGANUI (Special to The Independent). WANGANUI, Thursday. ‘ Delegates to the annual conference of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union gathered at Wanganui yesterday from as far afield as Auckland and Waihi in the north to Gore in the far south. During the morning the business of the conference was commenced, and in the afternoon a welcome was given them by the Mayor, Mr N. G. Armstrong, Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., and Mr T. Currie, president of the Wanganui executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

On behalf of the Wanganui branch of the W.D.F.U., Mrs J. Wickham, president, extended greetings. The W.D.F.U.’s work, she ; said, lay mostly in the backblocks, helping people who received no help in the ordinary way, and not only helping them materially but making their lives brighter and better. Before introducing Mr Armstrong, the speaker welcomed Mrs Ward, president of the W.D.F.U.

“I should like to voice my appreciation of the help given by the women of' the country in the relief of distress in Wanganui,” said the Mayor, Mr Armstrong, in the course of his remarks. Work in the Backblocks. ; “What makes our lives worth living is the extent to which we give onr time to the service of others and helping them when they are in difficulties,” said Mr Veitch. ‘ 1 Time was,” he continued, “when all blocks were backblocks. Nowadays there are many who think that because there are better roads there are no backblocks. But the union knows that such opinion is a fallacy, and that an organised service is greatly needed, particularly in the backblocks. The union means a great deal to the women in the country to-’

day. “While the union members are serving their fellow women throughout New Zealand, as they have done for some years, they are bringing comfort and happiness to a great many people. They are also, in the same way, giving a great deal of happiness and satisfaction to themselves,” said Mr Veitch. Dominion Executive. The Dominion executive meeting of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union opened in the morning, when the Bush Nurse and Housekeeper Auxiliary was held in the W.D.F.U. rooms, there being present a large number of delegates from all parts, .of the Dominion. Mrs W. H. Ward, Dominion president, presided over a large gathering. An application for assistance from the Central Hawke’s Bay branch was dealt with, and assistance from St. John Ambulance Association was discussed and correspondence i’cad on the matter. Prolonged discussion arose concerning applications for assistance from various places and it was moved that a very necessitous case should be helped from the community chest. A number of applications for assistance, were granted. A remit from Wellington Central Provincial Executive, “That the W.D.F.U. employ special housekeepers for spring cleaning, providing the employers previously state they are for this work,” was discussed at length and cases of imposition were cited. It was moved and seconded that if employers want a housekeeper for spring cleaning they must state it on the application form and if the housekeeper will accept employment this should be allowed. Secretary’s Report. The Dominion secretary’s report was as follows: Since the meeting at the end of September the demand for housekeepers has been exceptionally heavy and at times great difficulty has been experienced in filling all applications. Members are asked to procure local help if it is at all possible. During the period under review 170 applications were filled by housekeepers who received the full wage of 25/- per week. These wore in tlie following districts:

North Auckland 4, Waitemata 9, Bay of Plenty 12, Thames Valley 7, South Auckland 18, Waikato 3, Northern King Country 8, Southern King Country 5, North Taranaki 2, Central Taranaki 2, South Taranaki 1, Wanganui 6, Northern Hawke’s Bay 4, Southern Hawke’s Bay 10, Wellington Central 30, Wairarapa 8, Manawatu 1, Nelson 2, Marlborough 3, North Canterbury 12, mid-Canterbury 5, South Canterbury 9, Otago 9. Nineteen engagements have been filled by casual housekeepers, who received from 7/6 to £1 per week. These wore as under: North Auckland 1, South Auckland 2, North King Country 1, Marlborough 1, mid-Canterburv 1. Otago 2, Southland 11. I would like to convey thanks to all members who

assisted in obtaining extra housekeepers to cope with the demand. Since the holidays housekeepers have been obtainable and the position is easier.