WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 131, 27 February 1919, Page 2

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE

FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Tho first annual conference of the Women's National .Reserve opened yesterday morning in the Dominion Farmers' Institute. Thirty-eight delegates attended, and much interest was shown in the work. The delegates were introduced by Mrs. Porter, Dominiou organising secretary, and on the motion of Miss Slattan, Auckland, seconded by Mrs. Wood, Christcliurch, Br. Platts-Mills (Wellington president) was elected to preside at the conference. Dr. Platts-Milbj thanked the delegates for their confidence in so electing her, ancl*in the naino of the Wellington Centre heartily welcomed them to.this the first Dominion Conference of the Women's Na. Lionel Reserve of New Zealand. The reserve was now in the fourth year of its existence, and, looking back, she felt sure it had served a useful purpose, and had made itself an honoured place amongst the patriotic organisations of New Zealand. If the reserve decided to continue, there would be eveii more difficult tasks ahead. The reserve placed in employment a number of women, but it did no with the appeal that these positions should be handed back when the soldiers returned. In some cases it has been impossible to keep in touch with them, but we know many'women .in the cities are, working under conditions altogether unnatural, and often not receiving a living wage, and many have no homes, and what is more no homo influ-. ence. This is work for the reserve to mitigate these conditions and inako life cleaner and happier for their sisters; and its duty, Dr. Mills thought, lies that way. Then there if work for the dependants of soldiers and sailors still away, or those who have made the supreme'sacrifice, and also work for members in looking after the graves of our beloved dead. In these days of strife between inutious and classes, it behoves everyone to cultivate the spirit of true comradeship, of a desire to know and understand each other's reeds and aspirations. In however smnil a degree tne work of the reserve has been successful, this spirit has been manifested in the workers. Dr. Mills said she trusted that the deliberations of the conference would lead to .more extensive- effort, and u strengthening of the self-sacrificing spirit which has marked the work of women during the past four years. She urged the delegates to bear ill mind tho thought of mutual helpfulness, so that tho reserve would be a source of strength to the country which they desired to serve. 'ilie circular of October, 1918, convening the conference was read, with refer ences to the following four clauses:— (1)' Tho establishment of a represensitive Dominion Council. ('.!) The reconstruction of the constitution to meet the w-idespreaifing requirements of the organisation. .The furtherance of _jjs patriotic objects (luring tTio war activities, so bringing into better effect co-ordination ami co-operation throughout tlio reserve in uii its branches. ■" (3) To frame such general rules for guidance of all divisions,' yut auortting and maintaining iuily the independence of each of the principal four districts in the administration of its own affairs financially, patriotically, ami socially. (-1) Provision to be made in the general niles for the constitution undei- tlieir own committees and byrules of (a) the active reserve division; (b) the honorary reserve divi- ' sion; (c) the soldiers' wives' club x division; (d) way emergency division; (e) rille clubs; (f) soldiers' graves section; (g) girls' clubs and juvenile branches. ' • ■Tho following resolution was proposed by Mrs. Mackay (Wanganui) :— "That in the opinion of the representative delegates hero assembled the Women's National Keservo should continue its organisation, also that the constitution and rules be reconstructed to provide for the wider spreading objects throughout the Dominion." In speaking to her motion, Mrs. Mackay instanced tho fine work done by the reserve in Wauganui during the epidemic, showing that though the actual war work of the branches, such as Red Cross, etc., 'might no longer be needed, there was still much work for women banded together in such a body ns thjs to do for their country and fellowcitizens.

Mrs. Corliss (Wellington) seconded the resolution, outlining the work of the reservo for the future, and referring especially to the' work of the honorary division " which in the four centres' had undertaken, the work of looking after and entertaining the soldiers, mothers, and wives, also the Soldiers' Wives Club, a Wellington effort which had been tho means of bringing brightness into many dull lives. Then there was work before them in a creche, such as the War Itclief Association had recommended should be established for soldiers' widows to enable them to more easily look after their children's welfare, and the work of the Soldiers' Graves Committee which should appeal to all who had soldier relatives. In Wellington this was at present the work of the Girls' Club, a part of the reserve work which had been very flourishing and.much appreciated. She regretted the departure of Miss Port, who had been such an able secretary to this branch. The resolution wns unanimously passed. The conference then wont into committee to discuss in detail the proposed new constitution. It was resolved" that Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool Iμ asked to continue as patroness of the reserve, and that the following be ex-oflicio members: The wife of the Prime Minister, tho Mayoresses of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch. and Dunedin, and the Mayoresses of all the sub-centres of the four districts. A good deal of discussion centred round Hie formation, of a Dominion Council, and it was finally resolved: "That the work of the reserve be carried out by a Dominion council consisting of five, members, to bo elected annually nt the Dominion Conference." It was also resolved iluit the centres, sub-centres, and local committees all have the right to send delegates to tho annual conference.