INSTITUTE WOMEN IN CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 2

INSTITUTE WOMEN IN CONFERENCE

DOMINION COUNCIL MEETING. A forward step in the management of the New Zealand Women's Institutes was the meeting of the Dominion representative council which took place a few days ago in Wellington. Each of the 39 federations had sent its delegates, so that a complete knowledge of the work bmng carried on throughout the organisation and a full and free interchange of plans and methods was ensured. Among the subjects of general interest discussed, apart from those of la domestic nature, were the centen- | nial. immigration, and domestic help, methods and means of developing I adult education, defence, broadcasting I and visual education. Immigration of Domestics. j An interesting visitor who made a I timely arrival in Wellington was Miss ’ Edith Thompson, 0.8. E., of the OverI seas Settlement of British Women, who is in New Zealand on her way to Australia. Miss Thompson, herself an active member in the English Women’s Institutes, mentioned that in England as in New Zealand the institutes were being found to be a very useful body and she humorously remarked that * possibly they were finding that they ; were too useful. People were finding it easy to say, “I’ll get on to the Women’s Institute.” She mentioned how very useful they had proved during the crisis. Speaking of immigration, Miss Thompson did not hold out very much hope of domestic helps coming in large numbers from England. “Any efficient person can get a job in England,” she said, referring to domestic •service. The desire to go to South Africa was very great. Her organisation was well organised in that country, there being secretaries at Capetown, Johannesburg, Salisbury and other centres. They had sent 1000 women to South Africa, 250 being nurses. Nurses, she mentioned, were very migratory. W.I. Trip to England. A project of deep interest to the members is the trip arranged for delegates attending the conference of the Association Countrywomen of the World, to be held in London in June. The number going so far is 70. The tour is being organised by Miss Brenda Bell, Palmerston, Otago, a member of the Dominion executive, and will extend to other parts of England in addition to London, Scotland. 1 and the Continent. Much interest is I shown in the visitors from the Dominions by the British Women’s Institutes j and widespread hospitality has been I offered. A beautiful wreath made by Mrs. an Miss Aim, Shannon, was on view. This wrath will be taken by the delegates travelling to the London conference and laid on the official New Zealand war memorial at LonguevalFlers, near Amiens, France.