WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 68, 30 April 1943, Page 3

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY FEDERATION ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING The annual meeting of the East-t ern Bay of Plentj' Federation of Women's Institutes was held recently at the Parish Hall in Opotiki and presided oved by Mrs CaA r erhill, when between GO and 70 members and delegates Avere present. Two minutes' silence Avas observed in memory of those who had passed on since last meeting. After the Institute song and "Eternal Father Strong to SaA'e" had been sung, the President welcomed all delegates and members. Several apologies for absence were received, also a telegram of good wishes from Mrs McNaughton, of Tauranga. The minutes of the last annual meeting were passed, and the. V.O.'s Mcsdames H. Withy, V. §teAvart and E. P. Wool field gave their reports of visits to the various Institutes. Our representative to the Dominion Council, Mrs V. StcAvart, gave, her report of the last Council meeting in Wellington.

The annual report and balance sheet Avere passed and the new budget presented.

President's Address

The president in hex speech said liow pleased she Avas to see Institutes carrying on in spite of many difficulties. These are sad and anxious times, but the Institute movement is holding country women' together. "Let us work i'or victory,'" said Mrs Caverhill, "and plan for peace. We plan to-day for to-mor-row." Again the speaker urged the encouragement of young members, on whom the movement depended in the future. Institutes were asked to send in remits as soon as possible for Dominion Conference (to be held in Gisborne at end. of July) and to reply promptly to any inquiries sent out by the Federation secretary, to be conversant with the handbook, and last but not least, to subscribe to "Home and Country'' as this is the channel through which news and business is passed. Mrs Caverhill asked members to specially featflre International Day in their November programmes, and thanked the Executive Committee, ? the V.O.'s and the secretary for their help and support during the past 3 r ear. m In conclusion, the president asked the Institutes to go forward into the. new year with faith and courage, and in the words of Winston Churchill, "let. us go forward to- & ge ther.'' Remits Approved The following remits were passed: Edgecumbe: "That the Minister of Railways be approached to have some reduction made in the fares of children travelling to and from boarding schpol." Waiotalii: "That attention be drawn to the acute shortage of farmers' working clothes and that the controller of supplies be asked to make available a suitable and sufficient. quantity to: meet urgent re- j <juirements." Edgecumbe: "That the Government be. asked to urge manufacturers to provide Avaterproof boots suitable for winter Avear on farms.'' W T hakatane: "That, the Government be urged to see that the contents needed for soldiers' parcels be available for sale to the packers of the. said parcels, as at present many of these things are unprocurable retail." ' • X; Urgency was granted Manawahe ( for their remit: "That more coupons be madcj available for farmers Avorking clothes." Carried. Maori Activities After the various Institutes, has presented their hall-yearly reports, the president called on Mrs Johnstone, Dominion Organiser of Maori Institutes, to address the meeting. Mrs Johnstone prefaced her remarks I with greetings from the Dominion Federation, the Bay of Islands Federation and from her oavii Institute! of Waitangi. In speaking of the size of the movement, both in > land and in New Zealand, Mr,s Johnstone stressed the possibilities for usefulness and the poAver ami strength for good, in such a large r organisation. In England Institute members have- opened their homes to refugee children and to girl Avar workers. This is where our own In- » stitutes could do a great Avork, as many girls in Avar jobs are lonely stnd. far from home. The speaker urged members to form study cii"fj» cles and make a project our oavii, e.g., home-building and planning, education for the future, the care and understanding of our children, etc. Study reconstruction from the pamphlets available, as homc'vprac-

tical women could off en suggest remedies which experts might miss, and be ready with sound advise. We send missionaries abroad, forgetting that much work requires to be done at home. Institutes would be asked to help the boys when they return. W[c as women can play an important part in helping them settle back into quiet ways, by love and kindness and with our various crafts. Occupational therapy plays an enormous part in healing •sick bodies and minds. But even greater than this work is International friendship. Let us take a stand for Universal Peace after the Avar, even for our late enemies. Th<. ideals of our arc the sharing of */jjs4fl*rfdsiiip, tolerance, and culture. When one travels, one realises the .kindness of the Institutes. While specially mentioning the kindness of the Maori people, she meets in her work, Mrs. Johnstone asked us to take the Maori Institutes under our Aving and help them. In concluding, the speaker passed on a slogan from a Maori Institute: "The home is the. home front. Be strong." A beautiful posy was presented to Mrs Johnstone, also others to Mrs Caverhiil, Mrs Mathews, Mrs Mrs Withy, Mrs Stewart and Mrs Woolfield. * A song by Mrs Griffiths, of the Opotiki Institute, was much appreciated. Election of Officers The election of officers was as follows: — President: Mrs Cavcrliill (unopposed). Committee: Mcsdames K. Armstrong, King, Learning, Le Lievre, R. Looney, A. J. Medallion, A. M. Morice, SaAage Snr., 11. Withy and Miss L. Kendall. The question of child delinquency was brought up by the Otara Institute. The Headmaster of, the Opotiki School Avas asked to speak on the subject for a few minutes. As the programme had been a full one, time did not permit of a general discussion, but Mrs Caverhiil asked all Institutes to discuss the matter and bring forAvard their findings. Much interest Avas shoAvn in the subject. The competition results Avere:— Skein of homespun avooI: Woodlands 1. Bowl of flowers for effect: Otara. Six jam tarts: Waimana. Thrift article: Waiotahi. The Silver Boavl for the "Talent 1 ' competition was Avon by Waimana. Thanks to the chair and to the hostesses Avere passed lieartilj*. Afternoon tea and the singing of the National Anthem concluded a busy and enjoj'able meeting. OTAKIRI MEETING The usual meeting of the Otakiri Women's Institute Avas held in the Otakiri Hall on Wednesday, April 7. Mrs Armstrong presided oA'er a v ery, good attendance. After the routine business, the Golden Thread was read by Mrs Whiteside, the subject for this month being Madame j Chiang , Kai Slick. Mrs Stewart., of Whakatane, then gave a very interesting report of the Dominion Council meeting in Wellington. After thanking Mis Stewart Mrs Armstrong called on Mrs G. Murray, who on behalf of the Institute addressed a few Avords to Mrs W. Rutherford, a foundation member, avlio is 1 cowing the district, and presented her with a small token of appreciation and a beautiful posy of flowers, Avhile Mrs Armstrong presented. Mrs Stewart Avith a shoulder spray. The roll call required each member to produce, the yearly subscription, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons tea and one small pencil. Afternoon lea Avas served by Mesdames Mantell and Smith, after AVhicli Mrs SLewart gave an instructive demonstration of papier-mache work. A Acrv happy afternoon Avas brought to a close Avith the singing of the National Anthem. The competition Avinners were:— PreserA-ed pears, Mrs Ccbdcn 1; Mrs Hancock 2; Mrs Cristall '■'>■ Best flower, Mrs Winters 1 and 3: Mrs Woodberry 3. Best vegetable, Mrs' Peek 1; Mrs Armstrong 2: Mrs W. Murray 3.