INTERESTING VISITOR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 2

INTERESTING VISITOR

MISS L. M. HARMER A visitor to New Zealand, Miss L. M. Harmer, who is a member of the National Executive of Townswomen’s Guild, England, who is at present visiting Wanganui, has brought news of the guild’s activities in that country. The Townswomen’s Guild is to the women of the towns what the Women’s Institute is to the country women, she told a “Chronicle” reporter. All over England and Scotland the guilds are growing apace. “We have them from the north of Scotland to Devon, Wales and all over England,’’ said Miss Harmer, “and during 12 months close on 100 Townswomen’s Guilds were formed.’’ They have been recognised by the Carnegie Trust, which gives large sums of money. In mentioning the activities of the guild, Miss Harmer said that their programme was a varied one, stressing the point that the first purpose was encouraging the education of women in citizenship, and to give the members the means of studying questions of the day. Some guilds have been exceptionally successful in doing constructive work in bringing about reforms, moulding public opinion, and in matters pertaining to the home they are very keen. For instance, Miss Harmer cited the effective organisation of one of the Scottish guilds, which thougnt it was a disgraceful thing that there was no ambulance in the town, a taxi having to do duty for serious cases taken to hospital- As a result of the effective organisation of the members a sum of £4OO was raised to provide an ambulance for their district. Other guilds have been successful in having sanitary dustbins installed. Some Townswomen's Guilds are making a study of maternal mortality and other questions which a number of guilds are interested in are unemployment and world peace. Guilds are trying to see what they can do in their

own localities as regards unemployment and the provision of adequate transport is another question of deep interest. Not only is the aim of the guild to help its members in the high idealism of citizenship, but excellent work is achieved in homecraft, handicraft and arts, similar to that of the Women’s Institutes. At conferences the members find the refreshment of new interests in lectures, for first class speakers from London are engaged to address them on various subjects. Then there are the roll calls, demonstrations and other activities. In the afternoon there are dramatic sketches or one-act plays dealing with the history of the town. The general public were always attracted to the festivals of drama and music. At each meeting of the guild there was always the social half-hour following tea and biscuits. Country dancing, dramatic groups, choirs, all contributed to the social life of the movement.

Miss Harmer was surprised to find that there were no women police or women magistrates in New Zealand, and so far only one woman member of Parliament. ‘‘Have you really benefited by the franchise!” she askedThere were many questions and problems concerning the welfare of this country that might be studied by women. So* few interest themselves in public matters. In other countries women were keenly interested in important social questions and were helping considerably in stirring up public opinion on matters of importance. While in New Zealand Miss Harmer will visit one or two of the few Townswomen's Guilds formed in the North Island during the past few years. She hopes to attend meetings in Hawke’s Bay, where she will shortly journey, and it is hoped to link up with the National Union of Townswomen’s Guilds in England.

The Society of Overseas Settlement of British Women who work in connection with the Victoria League in Southampton, asked Miss Harmer to represent them and she is interested in looking into the work the Victoria League is doing in New Zealand. Miss Harmer, who is staying with Dr. Helen Topham, will visit Hawke’s Bay and Rotorua and return to Wanganui for a few days early next month before sailing for England on March 9.