W.D.F.U. CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 167, 18 July 1933, Page 2

W.D.F.U. CONFERENCE

ADVISORY BOARD ELECTED Many subjects were brought up and discussed at the recent conference of the Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The women, after deciding their own divisional affairs, set to work to go into matters affecting the general welfare of women and children. One of the subjects brought forward and discussed was that women whoso income does not Exceed £52 a year should be exempt from the unemployment levy. The remit was unanimously carried. The conference considered the sub ject of sexual offences and the opinion was expressed that inadequate punishment was meted out to persons committing offences. In discussing the subject several instances were given by members and it was decided to follow the advice of the Department of Justice and report any specific instance. Raising the marriage age of girls and boys was mentioned, but there was little discussion, the speakers being in entire agreement with the proposal It was pointed out by Airs. Barrer, M.A., that. New Zealand is supporting, in proportion to its population, an unnecessary number of members of Parliament, and the conference was unanimous in recommending a reduction in their numbers. Mrs. Susan Scott, Wanganui, lon. librarian of the W.D.F.U. Book Club, stated that during the conference she had formed a number of new groups to which books will be forwarded. Airs. Scott sent out a total of 5000 books and magazines last year from the Book Club. Mesdames A. H. McLean (Fordcll) and A. L. Hebbard (Taihapc) were reelected advisory members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union Bush Nurse and Housekeeper Auxiliary. The members elected to the Advisory Board of the division are:—North Island, Mesdames A. H. McCorkiudalc (Feilding), AL Barrer, M.A. ((Masterton), Miss Polson (Wanganui); South Island, Mesdames Forsyth (Ne’. c on) ; B. E. Evans (Timaru), 11. Smith (South Canterbury). On behalf of the conference, Mrs. J. C. Wickham, of Wanganui, presented Mrs. C. C. Jackson, the retiring president, with a beautiful bouquet. During the conference an interesting exhibit was made, comprising wool hats and scarfs made by Maoris. The wool after being washed, is rolled into a kind of yarn, and then crocheted into articles. The hats wc *0 dyed with native dyes.