STIMULATING CONFERENCE

Te Ao Hou, Winter 1954, Page 35

STIMULATING CONFERENCE The Dominion Conference of Maori Women's Welfare Leagues held at the Maori Community Centre, Auckland, on April 6 to 8, was a great social success and an equally great stimulus to the 250 women who attended. Throughout their presence in Auckland, these delegates discussed either in conference or privately the problems facing women in Maori communities. The discussions went on day and night, in the Centre, and in the Auckland Hotel lobbies and bedrooms. The delegates have now returned to their leagues and we hope they will be able to bring new ideas and new energies to their work. For that is the purpose of these meetings. It is doubtful whether the leagues would be as alive and strong as they are today without the strengthening of the leadership that takes place at these conferences. Nobody, observing these women in Auckland, could call their trip a pleasure jaunt, although it was certainly extremely pleasant. Te Ao How will give a full report on the conference in the next issue, and publish the entry that won the competition for the best annual report. Great event of the social evening held on April 7 was the presentation by Mr Tumakai Katipa of the Te Puea Trophy to the Waikata North District Council, the 1951 winner of the competition for the best annual report. The trophy consists of two carved arms shaped to represent mamaku fronds, embracing a plate glass panel on which a symbolic design of Taniwharau has been blasted, showing pakeha culture and Maoritanga in unison. A mamaku bud in front represents the youth of today. A parchment record of trophy winners is kept in a drawer in the rounded carved base. Glass design and sand blasting were done by Mr Peter Luckie, the carving by Mr Waka Graham.

Two delegates. Canterbury gives a number. Conference Pietures by Vogue Photography. Auckland Conference in session.

The Turanga Ranger Company (Gisborne) is the only Maori company of Girl Guides in New Zealand. It was formed two years ago at the special request of Miss Herrick, Chief Commissioner for New Zealand. Representatives of this company attended the international rally at Marton last year. They also prepared a handwritten and illustrated book containing Maori history, presented to the Government last year as a Coronation gift from New Zealand Guides to Prince Charles and Princess Anne. That this company should be entrusted with so important a task was a great encouragement to the Turanga Rangers, whose captain is Miss Lena Ruru. (John Ashton, Photograph) Miss Adelaide Bidois from Te Puna (Tauranga) was elected women's president by 300 women students at Ardmore Training College last year. Now returned to her home as a teacher, she found the contact with so many students from all over New Zealand most stimulating. (Photo: Christopher Bede Studios)