WOMEN’S DIVISION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21158, 6 July 1940, Page 16 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION

VICE-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE HELP FOR COUNTRY WOMEN Dear Fellow Members, As a member of the Dominion Advisory Board it is my privilege to send a message to you this month. Every paper containing reports from country districts far and near, eulogises the work of women’s committees who are putting their heart and soul into patriotic efforts and refugee work, sewing, renovating clothes and working with an almost feverish desire to give some service to help the unfortunates who are suffering through no fault of their own. However laudable it is to do this war work, I feel that not one of us can afford to relax on the work of our organisation, and it must be our greatest endeavour to continue with more zeal than ever, the task that was allotted to us by our founders—that of sending help to country homes in times of need. The need will never be greater than in the immediate

future and during the war period. With men on the land—husbands, sons and brothers—answering the country’s call and many women and girls already managing and working the farms, it seems inevitable that a I halt must come when these plucky j women, shouldering the heavy work and responsibility, will be compelled | to rest, and the W.D.F.U. house- I keeper will be in demand. Therefore I say to you all, “Keep a close watch on our housekeeping scheme, encourage good women and true to take up the housekeeping work, and make them feel that this work is only a section of the patriotic work all are so anxious to do.” At the present time many avenues of employment are open to all women, and it will only be by appealing to their better natures, that we will persuade these women that the W.D.F.U. housekeeper is giving as great, or greater service than her sisters in uniform doing war work along these lines. Among very recent correspondence, one mother of six child- | ren under 8 years writes: “Dear Mrs Field. Just a few lines to ask if you have any old clothes I could cut up and make for the wee ones. I do not like asking for things, but I haven’t the money to buy. I have made nice warm singlets for them out of old ones and they look quite nice. My baby is eight months old and is just lovely . ..” Another expectant mother with a family of five—eldest only seven—writes; “j. do not know how I am going to feed and clo'the another one, it takes us all our time to manage now.” I am just citing two recent appeals, other Housekeeper Secretaries must have many similar calls for help. | I do say in conclusion to all our I members, that the W.D.F.U. has a ! great and necessary task ahead, and it behoves each and every one of us to keep ourselves fit and ready to help in the emergencies that may arise Ethel M. Field. COMING EVENTS Whatawhata branch Farmers’ Union social, dance and cards, Whatawhata Hail, Wednesday, July 17. Proceeds in aid of patriotic funds. NGARUA BRANCH The Ngarua branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held its monthly meeting in the local hall recently The president, Mrs P. Davis presided over a large attendance. Two new members were welcomed and enrolled. Invitations were received from the Springdale and Te Puninga Institutes to attend their | birthday celebrations. It was decided | that the branch forward the amount of money needed to defray the cost ! of five soldiers’ parcels to the Wai- | toa Patriotic Committee. ! A competition for the best handi made handkerchief was won by Miss j E. Seed. The competition for next i month will be for pikelets. The l meeting closed with tea served by the hostesses, Mesdames L. Vickers, G. Reid and G. Walker.