W.D.F.U.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 78, 5 June 1945, Page 3

W.D.F.U.

ANNUAL MEETING PRESIDENT'S REPORT The following report was presented by the President of the Bay of Plenty branch of the Women's Division Farmers' Union at the annual meeting which was held recently:— In presenting this seventh annual report of the Bay of Plenty Provincial Executive of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union I do so with the feeling that, giving consideration to the fact that as most of the years of the existence of this Provincial have been war years, we have managed very well. Branches are scattcred } and distances long but we have nlwaj-s managed to have our meetings with good representation from brandies. Mrs Hayward and I represented yon at the Dominion Executive meeting held in Christchurch early in November and found tlie meetings full of interest. These conferences are very and for that reason 1 feel that as many members as possible should have the opportunity of attending them in turn. After her visit to us, Mrs J oil forwarded a list of names of places in our district where it was felt that branches of the W.D.F.U. might be formed. We found that in most of these places a branch of the Women's. Institute was functioning, and we did not feel it right to intrude with a W.D. branch, particularly aL the present time. We have made representations to the Director of and also sent a remit to conference re accom- ' modation for single country school teachers. Our remit received unanimous support and the Director has promised single teacher accommodation for Ruato'ki Native School. As a direct result of representations from our Provincial the Whakatanc Borough Council has' given instructions for the preparation of plans and. estimates for a rest room to be situated near the Rock. The erection of this building should relieve the existing rest room facilities considerably. The idea oT a Residential Nursery has also been mooted by this Provincial and will } I thinly U lol'r lowed up receive considerable outside support. AYe are indebted to the "Bay of Plenty Beacon" for publicity and support in connection with these projects. There is a likelihood of the Awaroa Estate being purchased for the rehabilitation of returned soldiers. We have made representations to the appropriate quarters asking that if this should eventuate, the large 2()-roonied house situated thereon should be taken over bj the Government and used by them to try out their proposed scheme ol training Domestic Aids to assist in country homes. They would li\e in the hostel -and go out by the day. We feel this house would be ideal j for the situated as> it is in the centre of a large farming distriet and at the same time close to all soL-ial amenities. It would at the same time relieve the. land of an otherwise ''White Elephant. Ihis seems to me to be a worthy project. As you kno\v > the third W.D. Rest Home was opened at Waimate early in April, making the second in the South Island and one in Palmerston North. We have been promised that the fourth shall lie in the Auckland Province. Although I do not think this fourth Rest Home Avill be acquired for some time ? I would like to point out that when it does it will be the particular responsibility of Auckland Province Provincials, and I would like to make the suggestion that branches should discuss the advisability of starting a special fund, to be added lo when convenient, so that we could do something -worth while when the occasion arises. Tn conclusion, T should like to express my Aery grateful thanks for the help and encouragement I have always had from each and every one of you through 'mv years of office.