MORE UNITY URGED BETWEEN TOWN AND COUNTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1946, Page 9

MORE UNITY URGED BETWEEN TOWN AND COUNTRY

Guest speaker at the final meeting for the year, held yesterday, of the Wanganui Housewives’ Association, Mrs. J. C. Wickham, urged town and country people to unite and come together for the good of both. She pointed out that what affects the one affects the other, and said that country and town people should work as one and understand one another.

The speaker drew attention to the great deal of publicity by vested interests to encourage the wearing of synthetic wool. ...This was not good for this country, she said. It would injure the farmers. “If people would make up their minds to buy the real woollen articles, they would be doin" their country a great deal of good ” In quoting the saying that farmers are called the "backbone of the country," the speaker said it was the efficiency of every man, no matter what trade or profession, who was doing his best for his country, that constituted the backbone. Speaking of primary production, Mrs. Wickham said how much it meant to the prosperity of the country.

Town and country people are interwoven. If one is prosperous the other is, too. She referred to how the farmer is now taxed out of his excess profits. In praising country life the speaker said young people have the advantage of home life and there was one big bond in the home of the family, which was often lacking in the cities. She thought the country life, of the two, was the happier, and said she hoped that young people would not be discouraged from going into the country. One of the difficulties just now was the lack of domestic help, said Mrs. Wickham, who went on to say she wanted to see the old-age pensions arranged so that pensioners would not lose their pension when going into the country to work. She referred to the best W.D. housekeepers, who were 60 years of age and more. Nobody could have done more in the country homes than they had done. Old-age pensions should not be touched if the-se women wanted to go out and help. Mrs. Wickham was thanked by the president and presented with a bouquet. Questions were asked and discussed. It was considered that in all countries the towns were becoming too large, and that there should be more smaller towns and rural settlements with all the communal amenities. This was being done, or is to be done in England. Some speakers thought that all factories should be in an area of their own. The factory element is not a good one to have in any city. It was thought to be a step in the wrong direction.

MANGAWEKA WEDDING

REID—DRAYTON St. Margaret's Church. Taihape, beautifully decorated with lilac, was the scene of a wedding last Saturday afternoon, when Sybil, younger daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. S. E. Reid, was married to John Beck, youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Drayton, cf Rangitaua. The Rev. J. Stewart, Raetihi, officiated at the ceremony. The bride, who was escorted by Mr. W. McCronibie, wore a full skirted o - gandie frock with net beaded yoke and peplum flare at the waist, and a finger-tip length tulle veil. Her bouquet. was of lily-of-the-valley and white roses. The bridesmaid, Miss Josephine Mayor, of Palmerston North, wore a powder blue organdie frock made on similar lines to that of the bride and her headdress was of carnations and pink roses. The bridegroom was attended by Mr. George Mufdie, Ohakune, as best man.

Mrs. W. Hays presided at the organ. For going away the bride chose an outfit of a tan suit and coat with hat and sroes to match, and mustard coloured accessories. After their honeymoon Mr. and Mrs. Drayton to reside in Rangitaua.*

WOMEN’S DIVISION

FOKDELL-MANGAMAHU BRANCH. A committee mee ng was held in Wanganui during October, Miss Macdonald was in the ch>-'. and presided over a fair meeting. The meeting opened with the creed. Miss .xacdonald reported that Mangamahu msTbers had sent parcels to Greece. Il was unanimously decided to send parcels for Greece from Fordell and Okirae, through C.0.R.5.0. Many letters ot thanks for parcels to England had been received by members, and several were read by Miss Macdonald. The secretary reported that further parcels had been sent to England amounting to £5 2s. The matter of helping with the residential nursery paddy's market was then discussed. Members were asked to assist with any produce or saleable articles, especially cakes, as the branch was responsible for the cake stall. The market would be on November 8, in Tha'n's Buildings. The secretary reported that, the birthday party had been held. Each member h a d taken a household gift for Mrs. Hooper, whose home had recently been destroyed by fire. Visitors from Wanganui branch were Mesdarnes J. Wickham. A. McPhail, and MacDougaW