LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 87, 6 July 1943, Page 4

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

JUNE MEETING fIELJD ADDRESS BY MRS R. JOHNSON ' ' . \ !, ~l /'"I ■■ The monthly meeting, of the League of Mothers was liekl in Knox Hall on Tuesday'•afternoon last. Mrs Sullivan presided over a good attendance of members and friends. The meeting opened in the usual manner by the reading of the Rules and Objects, after which the League's prayer was recited and special prayers for peace. The secretary was asked to convey to the relatives of the late Mrs Morgan, the sympathy of the members in the great loss of their mother, who was a member of. our branch, Mrs; R. Campbell gaye the thouglxfc for the month: 'Did you ever police that almost always the happiest person in any group or community is the person who is doing the most to make other people, happy.' An address was then given by Mrs Johnson who lectures under the Auckland University College; Adult Education Advisory Committee, her subject being "Women's Part ia the New World." Must Be United' The speaker stressed the need for women to be united in their desires for definite reform in usages pertaining to both public and private life. Mrs Johnson referred to the system of Army payment far a married man with a family—s:o much for the soldier and a cheque to the wife for hers plus the children's allowances. This principle she urged,, should be adopted in some way by all employers. In industry all ! wages are computed on the basis of a married man with a family t of, three children—thus many men ,in industry draw wages for a family which does not exist, and far many children in families exceeding three no payment is made. Woman in the Home The speaker also referred to they fact that, although, in comparison, with England, we in New Zealand, had had. women's; franchise for a long period, Vet we had done very little with it. She quite agreed with the oft quoted phrase, "Women's place is in the home." but she did, noit agree that she should be a household drudge there. The average housewife has no time' 'to read or study and is- more or less a slave to the family. In this way she defeats her own eftd—as women arc physically and mentally creative. As many mechanical devices to assist housework 1 should b© placed in every house built, and some system introduced that would provide some assistance in the home for the mother of a family. Health Centres Mrs Johnson also referred to tho establishment in various centres of Health Centres. This lias also been advocated by the Plunket Society. The Health Centre would- contain a Creche, a Residential Nursery—a Play Group Centre and a training ccntre to provide trained staff for each. She mentioned the' weekly Creche attached to the. Domestic Science Classes of the Rangiora District High School, where the various classes «cared for and cooked the meals for the children left thereEngland,, has advanced very much in this way in recent years. Residential • Nurseries have been built in many communities. The finance has been provided by a rate struck by Local Bodies called the 'Educational Rate.' All schools should be built with an additional room for Adult Education. This room should house the library, and be suitable* for the requirements of the. particular district.

At the conclusion, Mrs Johnson was warmly applauded for the very capable manner in which she had delivered her address, after which she discussed various paints raised by those present.

It ,was felt that the speaker had opened many big questions, which, will later be discussed, in the League.

Afternoon tea was dispensed by two members of the committee, after which the meeting closed with 1 the singing of the National Anthem.