Leagues Meet in Christchurch

Te Ao Hou, August 1957, Page 60

Front (left to right): Mrs M. Szaszy and Mrs W. Cooper. Rear: Mrs M. Logan, Mrs H. D. Bennett, Mrs P. Royal, Mrs N. Swainson and Mrs M. Tamihana. (Ch'Ch Star-Sun photograph). Leagues Meet in Christchurch An unprecedented procession of Maori womanhood invaded the city of Christchurch last April for the sixth Dominion conference of the Maori Women's Welfare Leagues. At this meeting Mrs Miria Logan of Hastings was elected as the new Dominion President. It was decided to restrict the tenure of the presidency to a maximum of four years in future. The conference was probably the best attended ever, with an estimated 400 delegates and observers. South Island hospitality was admired by all. Conference decided to revert to annual meetings as was the custom until 1955. For 1958, the league has been invited to Palmerston North. The following officers were elected: President: Mrs M. Logan (Hastings). Vice-presidents: Mrs Puhi Royal (Rotorua) and Mrs T. Moss (Christchurch). Dominion Secretary-Treasurer and representative of Tokerau on the Executive: Mrs M. Szaszy (Wellington). Assistant Secretary: Mrs J. Stone (Wellington). Other members of the Executive: Mrs W. Bennett (Ikaroa), Mrs M. Tamihana (Tairawhiti), Mrs Kahu Jones (Waikato), Mrs L. Te Waari (Aotea), Miss M. Walscott (Te Wai Pounamu). Mrs Puhi Royal (Waiariki). Patroness is Mrs Piki Paki (Waikato). Mrs Whina Cooper, M.B.E., the retiring president, was elected delegate to the conference of the Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association in Colombo, Ceylon, in 1958. Opened by the Hon. E. B. Corbett, the meeting discussed 73 remits on Maori housing, health, education, employment, racial justice, traditional culture and many general matters including the hydrogen bomb. Some remits were new and important, for instance ‘that the government be asked to investigate the possibility of establishing industries in rural districts so that Maori youth may be encouraged to remain in the country instead of migrating to cities,’ There was a valuable discussion on the housing of the elderly. A special feature of the conference was the lecture on children's books by Miss Bowsher of the Canterbury Public Library, and a display of books kindly arranged by the public library and the bookshops of Christchurch. Much of the conference was taken up by discussions on how to revitalize the leagues whose membership had shrunk from 3916 to 2915 members. Delegates saw the need for starting new and interesting activities that would benefit and attract a larger circle than at present. The Te Puea Trophy, previously held by Heretaunga, was won by Waitemata (Auckland). Second place went to Tauranga and third to Apanui.

Next year, the interest of many Maori women will turn to Ceylon, where the Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association will hold its 1958 conference. The M.W.W.L. are sending Mrs Whina Cooper, M.B.E., as their representative.