W.D.E.U. PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 108, 8 May 1936, Page 2

W.D.E.U. PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE

ANNUAI, REPORT At the annual meeting of tee Provin cial Executive of the W.D.F.U., bold on Wednesday, the president reported inter alia: — *‘l have the pleasure of presenting the fifth annual report of the.Wanganui Provincial Executive of the Women’s .Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ .Union. For some of our members who have suffered through illness and bereavements it has been a sad year and to these we extend our deepest sympathy. The loss of our greatly esteemed King was not only a national loss but u. great sorrow to almost every individual member of the Empire, but it is a great compensation that he has left a son who will rule over us both wisely and justly, and is already dearly loved by his people. “Socially we have met more often this year and 1 hope, as the desire for co-operation increases in the branches •there will be stil more such happy occasions. Our first combined effort this year was the handwork display held in August, this was a most successful, and great credit is due to the branches who took part in it for their wonderful displays. The ‘Thrift’ class was a revelation of what ciever fingers Can do with waste material, and was a much admired section of the display. The exhibition of brought forth some interesting exhibits, some of them with very wonderful histories attached. “The combined provincial picnic of the Women’s Division and the Farmers’ Union was held in February at Kai Iwi beach and despite unsettled weather condition was a most enjoyable and successful affair. If each branch interested had its own small picnic 'committee whose work it would be to interest members, arrange transport, etc., this picnic could be made a wonderful function. The men who airanged and ■carried out the sports programme are to be congratulated. It proved most popular with young and old and our thanks are due to them .for their assistance. I would like also to specially thank the representatives of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. Howie, Mr, Leach and Mr. Elmslie for their wholehearted co-operation and assistance. Our other social gathering was the evening hcdl in the Elri’ck during the visit of the Oversea Fanners. This function was aranged by the Provincial Executive of the Women’s Division and held in conjunction with the Farmers’ Union and various organisations of local busines men. The visitors and local people both welcomed this opportunity for the exchange of ideas and opinions, and *h»» informal entertainment was enjoyed by all. I would like to thank Misa Polson who so kindly assisted with the arrangements, also Mrs. Wickham who arranged the delightful programme, and the artists who contributed to it. To Mr. Seddon we arc indebted for kindly acting as doorkeeper. “Financially the Provincial Executive is now in a much sounder position, due to the profits of the handwork display and to the calling up of the 6d per member levy. Another factor which has contributed largely to the improvement in our finances is that, our housekeeping secretary has managed to engage nearly enough housekeepers in our own district to meet the demand. This means, of course, that we are able to keep the application fees Io hehp with the expenses. “I would like to congratulate the branches on the generous response made to special appeals during the year. The King’s Jubilee Cancer Fund was responded to wholeheartedly with t'hc result that our nine branches sent in a total of £47 13s 6. a truly fine effort. At our conference in Wellington, members in the Feilding district appealed for help with their effort to build and furnish a home for the Cowdray family. To assist with this our branches sent in £9 6s which was forwarded to headquarters to be added to the fund for this purpose. Our sympathies were with the Health Stamp campaign also, and the branches also helped with this object. At the Show in November the . A. and P. Committee kindy gave us a stall for the sale of work of disabled soldiers and whore we sold Health Stamps also. £5 6s 8d worth of goods were sold and stamps £2 17s ?d. “The housekeeping scheme under Mrs. Wi'ckham’s able management has increased enormously and this year we have sent 100 housekeepers into country homes as against 72 last year We are very grateful to Mrs. Wickhm and admire and appreciate very much the whole-hearted and self-sacrificing spirit of her work. I wish to the branches for courtesies and acts of kindness during the year, and the branch presidents for their willing assistance at all times; Jt has helped to make the work very pleasant. Our thanks arc due to those members who in many ways have encouraged and carried out the spirit of service which inspires our work. I wi-sOi. to thank the Farmers* Union for their co-operation during the year, the Press for their continued help and to wish you all a very happy and successful year's work.’’