WINTER SCHOOL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3288, 14 July 1943, Page 7

WINTER SCHOOL

INSTITUTE WOMEN MEET COURSE IN AUCKLAND COURSE ARRANGED BY W.E.A. A Women’s Winter School course held in Auckland in May under the auspices of the W.E.A., was the subject of a report given by Mrs Anderson at a meeting of the Coromandel Women’s Institute and at the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union recently. Mrs Anderson attended the school as representative of the . Coromandel branch of the Women’s Institute. The school was held at the Epsom Grammar School and consisted of lectures and study classes in the mornings and visits to various centres in the afternoons. A visit to the headquarters of the Plunket Society proved most interesting and sidelights were thrown on the excellent work carried out by this institution. A visit to an American hospital was full of interest as being a glimpse of the way in which our American ally plans to take care of her injured men in the period before they can be returned to their home and Dr. Merrill Moore in telling something of the work done in the wards for mental and shell-shocked patients stressed the importance of small personal attentions as being the first things which restore to the men a sense of their own personal value —a sense lost during the “pushing around” they had been subjected to since their enlistment. The process is extended by giving them an opportunity to have their interest roused by something outside themselves. The museum is a store of such interest-rousing material to men of certain types and training, while the zoo is valuable for* others. From this stage they are led on to attempt a handicraft and many a polished ring of paua shell or watercolour sketch of Auckland harbour will be sent home to U.S.A.,as a tangible token of a soldier’s return to stability and health.

Of the deepei- techniques of psychiatry Dr. Moore told nothing but left the feeling with the students that the restoration of such men was a process involving much kindliness and understanding in human relationships —a process surely to be continued after hospital treatment, by the women in the homes to which they will return. This, feeling was reinforced by the visit to the Physical Therapy Department, where the value of heat applications and water treatments in the relief of pain and tension was. stressed. Again a field in . which women can acquire great skill. Dr. Moore’s obvious love for country life and understanding of its possibilities for deep satisfaction in living struck a sympathetic chord in his hearers and they left the hospital with much to think about in the task which will come to ,so many of us, the rehabilitation of soldiers in their own homes and the, part women will play in their readjustment to family living.

Dr. Moore stressed the value of New Zealand milk, butter and meat, as being one of the chief mean's of restoring these men back to health again. He also said that’New Zealand leather was far ahead of any other leather for use in handcrafts, etc. Mrs Anderson told Dr. Moore of the baskets and trays made from pine needles and took a basket made from pine needles by a Coromandel lady to the hospital for inspection. The maker was complimented on her work. Other subjects at the school were rehabilitation, post-war reconstruction, International Union and Rural Community in Democracy. Mrs Andei’son gave many interesting little touches in connection with the week’s school and expressed the hope that she would be accompanied next year by many other women from Coromandel. She emphasised the friendly spirit existing throughout, emphasising the talks she had had with representatives from all parts including New Plymouth and away up north as being most enjoyable. The whole course was am education and a pleasure.