USEFUL SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 15

USEFUL SOCIETY

SOCIAL PROGRESS

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The wisdom of having a combined meeting of the various branches of the Women's Social Progress Movement was demonstrated yesterday afternoon when there was a large attendance of branch mefnbers at the annual meeting held at the National Club to hear something about the general work done.

Mrs. H. D. Bennett ttfok the chair in the absence of the president, Miss M. Maclean, C.B.E. She moved a motion of condolence with Miss McLean iri the recent loss of her brother. This was carried, all standing in the usual, way. Mrs. Bennett mentioned with pleasure that the movement had been going on now for seven years and had become well known in practically all parts of the Dominion and had gathered considerable strength. It was an interesting fact that eleven of the original members, still continued to guide and help the movement, these being Miss Mary McLean , (president), Mrs. G. L. Stewart (executive secretary), Mrs. Steptoe (recording secretary), and Mesdames Pearson, Spratt, Purdie, Bennie, Strong, Murray, Andersen, and Bennett. Tributes were' paid to the good work of these members, and also to that of the secretary, Miss Chappell, who had "done

particularly fine service,- as also had the treasurer, Mrs. Bennie, and the acting treasurer, Mrs. Guthrie'.

The report dealt with the various activities of the movement. These included a delegation to the superintendent of the hospital askijas for a fise convalescent home. Women workers in Chinese' gardens, film, institutes, economic and social status of domestic workers, . menace t qt alcohol, and a number of. other social matters had been the subjects of thought, discussion, and help wherever possible. :■:. SOCIAL : PLEASANTNESS; The fact of branch meetings being held in the^homes of-members; thus making for pleasantness •'aiia^Jfriendship,■) was mentioned with-; pleasure, and fhe member's who"had so kindly been hostesses Ayefe cordially? thanked. Speakers' during the year 'had given addresses ; oh: subjects of special interest to women,; and these were also accorded hearty thanks., .

It was considered that ...the movement had'; accomplished something definite by. continued efforts towards the improvement of films end of posters, the latter, particularly; being less offensive to good taste ■ than formerly., ;.;It.was felt :that? v there^is still room for-"improvement"in^ihe films specially provided for children: •■ The report concluded.thus:—,<

"We are conscious'that God:is here in the rriidst'of our, human struggle for the betterment of human society.. He is a God;iof^Progress,: wh<S undergirds pur endeavours" for justice in the earth with His power; who fights in and for and with us, against the hosts of evil; whose presence is a guarantee of ultimate victory;/' and whoser effect upon us is to. send.us out ~to war .against ancient 'human .curses, assured that whatTought to be done can be done." ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The. election of officers resulted as follows:—-President, Miss McLean; vicepresidents, •Mesdames T..8. Strong, R. A. Wright, B.L. Dallard, F..C. Spratt, Ml H. Pearson, H.D.. Bennett, J. Hislop, A. Purdie, G. W. Guthrie, and Miss Mary Richmond; executive secretary, Mrs. G. L. Stewart; recording secretary, Mrs: H. J. Steptoe; general secretary, Miss M. Chappell; treasurer,' Mrs. J. Bennie (with Mrs. G. W. Guthrie acting in Mrs.' Bennies absence); committee, Mesdames J. M. Murray, J. C. Andersen, R. Inglis, A. Ironside, B. Wright, M. Niyen, Woodhead, Down, Miss Bicknell, and the presidents and secretaries of the groups.

, Mrs. Castles gave two appropriate recitations, and Mrs, Pengelly two songs, cordial thanks being expressed to both performers, The press was also thanked for useful publicity.

Afternoon tea was served, and an informal talk about the work of the movement served a useful purpose, though it was regretted that sufficient time for the speakers on special subjects had not been available.