SOUTHERN H.B. WOMEN'S INSTITUTES' HALF-YEARLY MEETING HELD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 21, 18 October 1937, Page 11

SOUTHERN H.B. WOMEN'S INSTITUTES' HALF-YEARLY MEETING HELD

The half-yearly meeting of delegates of the Southern Hawke's Bay Federation of Women's Institutes was held in the Victoria Hall, Papatawa. Representatives were present from institutes as far north as Pukehou, while visitors from neighbouring groups attended. The president of the federation, Mrs Duncan Campbell,

vjpapa, was m xne cuan, mu ted with her on the dais were : — Miss D. Juli (treasurer), Mrs G. L. Jamieson (secretary), Mesdames A. Culliford, N. M. Burnett, 11. H. Tpd, Little, Denbow, A. G. Turner, A. Dickins, C. N. Williams and Sister May Gardiner. Dainty posies were presented to the president and other officers. Proceedings were commenced with the Women's Institute Creed, tollowing with the president extending a cordial welcome to the gathering, expressing her pleasure to see so many present. The meeting had meant an early start for many members but tlie number showed the enthusiasm. She trusted that after the meetiiig, all would go back to their Institutes with more enthusiasm. A welcome was extended a new institute, Waione, which had been transferred from the BusbWairarapa Federation. A pleasing interlude was the presentation of a beautiful clock to Mrs Todd. The president said all desired to show their appreciation of the wonderful work carried out by their former president who had been in office for four years. Roii-Call of Delegates. In the roll-call, it was revealed that delegates were present from 23 of the 30 institutes. Following a brief review of tlie Federation' s finances by the treasurer, the president made reference to the Roune Table Conference held in June at which ijhe was present. At this gathering. tumatter discussed was the betterment of the conditions for the country women. A particularly instructive address hy the president held the attention of all present, her remarks being most explicit yet conveyed in a pleasing mauner. "What we owe to the Women's Iqstitute as Institute members'' was the subject of her address, the speaker basing her remarks on the natural question of many people of what the Institute movement stood for. "To its many qualities," said the president, "should be added that of enthusiasm. If this is not shown, we make no progress. Many of our members attend their monthly meetings but do. not take an aotive part in committee work. Wben you join the Women's Institute you join, not as associate members. but as active members and it is up to all to participate in the affairs of their own group. It is the duty, also. of all to stand for election to the committee at some time or other." Members went to tbe Institute meetings not only for entertainment and surely tbey had five minutes to spare for some active work with tbe committee, or perhaps, m competitions. It was felt that there was a spirit of indifference and lack of enthusiasm stealing into the institutes and all members should do all in their power to stem this. At the handicrafts exhibition at the last Federation meeting, the number of entries was iai below the usual standard and the speaker appealed for more help in institutes would be held soon and it was to be hoped that those who had not already offered their 6ervices for the committee, would make every effort to do so. "If you are not elected/' remarked Mrs Campbell, "don't sit back. but continue to take an interest in your Women's Institute -and help as much as possible." As far as the presidency was concerned, it was not right that the same one should be expected to carry on year after year. There was not a woman who could not take office and she should try. If elected to the position and made mistakes — and all made mistakes — she would find that the members would rally round her and give of their help. Summing up, the president hoped that every member would endeavour to take an active part in the executive work of their institute. Then when asked what the movement

stood for, they could auswer faithfully — homemaking, citizenship, co-opera-tion and enthusiasm. Disoussion of Remlts. Only two remits were received for discussion, the first from the Elsthorpe W.I. suggesting that in view of the increasing of the kydatid disease in New Zealand, the origin of which is in country districts it be recommended that lectures be given on the catise und prevention of the disease by qualified speakers, to W.I.'s throughout New Zealand. The Elsthorpe Institute delegate stated that it had been diseovered that in the last four years, there had been 163 cases notified in the Dominion, of these 58 being fataJ. ; The xemit was passed with the addition of the clause that pamphlets be issued following the lectures. From the Waipawa Institute, it was recommended that to develop the movement the subscription be increased from 2/- to 2/6. Miss Jull, of Waipawa, explained the reasons for the suggestion. Details of a scheme supported by the Government by a grant of £350 for the purpose of providing an organiser for tbe Maori Institutes in the northern part of the Dominion was described by Mrs C. Williams. She stated that Mrs Kelso had visited the area and was anxious to have a good collection of crafts to show as she moved among the people. Members were asked for support for the scbeme and to forward any exhibits to headquarters. Work Among Maoria, An interesting insight into work among the Maoris was given by Sister Gardiner, who first of all, as a, member of tho Dominion executive of the W.I. conveyed the congratulations of headq.uarters to the federation on its continued progress. It was not realised fully, how big were the potentlalities of the institute movement, the speaker said. No organisation embodied so ro any different kinds of people, nor liad such power to do good and possessed such high ideals. Members had a great privilege and a great responsibility. Each individual was just as important as the president of the institute, Federation or of the Dominion. Nothing could be accomplished- without the efforts of ,the individual memberg. "If we are to have a world vision— and the time has certainly come for thought on such a subject — we should give the matter serious consideration. Wnat we need to-day is inore knowledge more tolerance and more jove for each other," continued the speauer. There was a feeling that fchere wa.s insufficient attention given to educatronal facilities in Women's Institute work. With matters in different ?,ountries as they were more attention should be gccorded this subject. Her mind went beyond N.ew Zealand as Women's Institute members were also members of the Association Country-wi-man oi the world. Wh.at a power of good could be done if all were to keep up to the true W.I. ideals and to let the spirit of Iovq emanate througnout iheir activities. Regarding tlie work nearer home, Sister Gardiner referxed .to the Maori missions wliich were exercising tbe minds 'of the !Dominion executive. She had dwelt among the natives for nearly 20 years and she thdught it a fine thing that the pakeha and Maori could come together so weil. Nevertheless, there was a nbticeable barrier, a feeling of/ tolerance among the white people which would be very unfortunate if allowed .to creep into Institute members. The Maoris could teach the white people a great deal and they were a race .to be admired. Muchi had. been done by devoted district nurses, but they could not be expected to do all the work however, members would see that the Government would come forward with financial assistance to enable an organiser to travel among the Maoris m the north. A projector and films had been purchasod and were used to show visually matters in reference to health and hygiene. It had been resolved to purchase a car to'allow the organiser to travel among the natives and it was hoped that all Women's Institutes would give of their support in any matter connected with this fine objective. It was decided to hold the annual federation meeting in April at Otane. Competitions proposed for the annual conference were : — Mlniature garden in a sponge sandwich tin, an overall for an adult, complete with sleeves, and not to cost more than 5/-, an article made froin tins and fina,liy the community work. A splendid array of handicrafts, flowers, posies and other Institutework was on view in the hall, and th© judge made the following selection : 'Posies (28 entries) : Miss Bayliss (Hatuma) 1, Mrs. Williams (Mangatera) 2 ; supper cloth (29 entries) : Miss B. Bayliss (Takapau) 1, Miss Hazel Thompson (Takapau) 2; banner (5 entries) : Votawhao W.I. 1, Waipawa W.I. 2; hand-made soap; Mrs. McGrath (Mangatera)- 1, Mrs. Hogg (Mangeorapa) 2.. 4