W.D.F.U DOMINION PRESIDENT IN LEVIN

Chronicle (Levin), 24 May 1946, Page 4

W.D.F.U DOMINION PRESIDENT IN LEVIN

TALK TO LARGE GATHERING OF ' LADIES A very large number of members of district branches of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union and Women's Institutes gathered in the Century Hall yesterday on the occasion of the visit to Levin of the Dominion president ' of the W.D.F.U., Mrs. W. H. Elliott,- of Outram, Otago. The meeting opened with the singing of the National Anthem and the reciting of the creed. The provincial president of the W.D.F.U., Mrs. R. Jenkins, welcomed Mrs. Elliott to the gathering and presented her with a shoulder spray. The guest was also welcdmed by the president of the Southern Wellington Federation of Women's Institutes, Mrs. H. S. Powell, who made her the recipient of flowers. The Mayoress (Mrs. H. B. Burdekin) welcomed Mrs. Elliott on| behalf of the town. In doing so,! Mrs. Burdekin referred to the need for unity of town and country as part of unity' and therefore peace, of the world. In her opening remarks, Mrs., Elliott expressed her thanks for the presence of so many women, and; urged them not to forget the sacrifices of those who had died for the freedom they enjoyed. As women, said Mrs. Elliott, they had worked courageously and worthily that wai* might 'be won and they had now to do the same to win the peace. She "urged them to do all they could do to assist wai* brides in making them feel that they were wanted in New Zealand. The speaker referred to the shortage of domestic labour, without which the W.D.F.U. housekeeping scheme could not function. This scheme was one which the Women's Division could be proud of, and now through circumstances beyond its control the problem was a national oue. The Dominion security depended on primary production and without domestic heip this would go down. Mrs. Elliott outlined the difficulties of persuading girls to take up domestic work; they would have nothing to do with it. The Government had been approached with' the suggestion that women be brought from the United Kingdom to go into domestic service, but the Government had merely said that the matter w.ould receive its consideration. These women would be picked for tne work, and would be under engagement for five years 01* more. They would not be allowed to work m 1jIt.6 cities Mrs. Elliott also dealt with thr situation regarding rest homes. v,*hich she said were costing a lot of money, but members had to realise that' they were responsible for the cost. During the wai* the W.D.F.U had done a great deal. . It had bought a Spitfire fighter which had seen magniftcent service, and had opened two new rest homes in New Zealand. There was a great need for the establishment of a rest homc in the north, and this matter woulc have to be considered seriously soon. The home might serve as ?■ training ground for girls taking up domqstic work. Continuing, the speaker said that the building that was to have beer bought for a Dominion headquarters, had been purchased by another buyer.. There was a need for such a building, and the situation had caused some concern. Mrs. Elliott concluded her address by exhorting the members to suppoi't the farming community. The organisation was social, cultural and educational but mainly philanthropic. They should keep the ideals of the organisation before mem always. In these rapidly changing times home life could not je neglected, as it was in the home jhat moral standards were set. It was in the power of women to set ohese standards. Farming to-day required a sound educational basis, and it was for members to ensure that the children of to-day had the wider education which was not possible in their youth. The ideal oi country meant that they should be grateful for the privilege of living under the Union Jack. It was a grievous thing to hear people who enjoyed all these privileges say tuai if it had not been for some othei country we should have lost the wai*. They should remember how the British Empire had stood alone. Lastly they should not forget tc keep their spiritual qualities revealed, a spiritual quality that was potent for good. During the afternoon vocal items were rendered by Miss Bensteac and Mrs. Barber. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Elliott was passed, and the meeting came to a close with tne serving of afternoon tea. Apologies were received * from Mesdames Smith, Dominion secretary, Kennerley, Walker and Arcus. _