ITEMS FROM RECENT CONFERENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 October 1947, Page 7

ITEMS FROM RECENT CONFERENCE

At a recent meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Women's Division of Federated Farmers, Mrs. T. Smith, who was a delegate to the Dominion conference, gave a comprehensive report of the meetings and the business dealt with.

■lt was reported a successful year in arranging classes for country women in such subjects as singing, drama, dressmaking and horticulture and showed the demand for knowledge in these subjects had been phenomenal, and with the limited number of tutors available had only touched the fringe of requests made by country women.

It was stated that the W. D. Emergency Housekeepers Scheme was confined to homes where there was an urgent need and the 1,774 weeks worked by Division Housekeepers must be regarded as a substantial contribution to the health and welfare of the country. Wages totalled £6002 and subsidies paid were £1,345 in this connection. It was mentioned that in the W. D. three rest homes 668 women had enjoyed holiday and rest throughout the year and showed the great need these homes were filling. Another rest home is to be established in Auckland, making two in the North Island and two in the South Island. In the “Kaianga Moe’’ rest home at Palmerston North 226 guests were admitted during [he year. It still continues to attract visitors from all parts and is fulfilling the need for which it was opened. Tributes were paid to the matron iMiss Salisbury) who made each guest feel so much at home. The training of Maori girls has been of great, benefit to country women in need of help and some' have gone back to help their own people in their districts.