WOMEN’S DIVISION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 217, 13 August 1937, Page 11

WOMEN’S DIVISION.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The committee of the Women’s Di vision of the Farmers’ Union met a Collinson and Cunningham’s room | yesterday afternoon. Mrs W. F. Fieli (president) presided and others presen included Mesdames H. It. Green, B A. Bond, J. A. McLeavy, J. Boyce D. Buchanan, F. Nathan, J. Millard R. A. Burnett, J. MacMahon, E. B Jennings (treasurer) and Miss Mathe son (secretary). Sympathetic re fere novas made to the serious illness of Mr Balmer, of Pohangina, a member o the branch. Apologies for absenci were received from Mrs *W. A. Davisoi (Rongotea), Mrs A. . Nicholls (Orou; Downs) and Mrs W. J. Croucher (Pal merston North). The secretary reported that tw< housekeepers were at present employee in the district, and a lengthy extern sion had been necessary in one cas< owing to serious illness in tho fam ily. Accounts amounting to,£4 15s were passed for payment. A remit that headquarters .he asked to consider the necessity, of .supplying more up-to-date receipt hooks for the use of the branches was approved and will be forwarded to the Wellington Central Provincial Executive for consideration. Mrs Colin Eglinton, a committee member, was granted leave of absence for three 'months. MONTHLY MEETING. Following the committee, meeting the monthly meeting was held in the large room.. Mrs Field presided over a good attendance of members. All present joined in the recital of tho Women’s Creed. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Uhrbom, Sly, W. A. Davison. A. H- Nicliolls, 0. E. Niederer. J. Cunningham. .AY. G. Shannon and Miss Penny (Sandon) and Mrs Bond (Rangiotu). Correspondence included a letter from the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) enclosing a cheque for £SO, being a contribution to the Palmerston North branch of the Women’s Division from the Lord Nuffield Trust. The letter stated that it was the Mayor’s wish that the money should lie used in accordance with Lord Nuffield’s desire, also that a detailed account should he furnished later showing how the money had been expended. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr Mansford thanking him for his interest in the philanthropic work of the Women’s Division, and assuring him that the money would be used solely for hospital and maternity work in the ,Palmerston North district. A letter of appreciation from the secretary of the Young Farmers’ Social Committee for assistance rendered by the Women’s Division on the occasion of the visit of the young farmers to Palmerston North was received. Notification was received that the committee of inquiry into maternity services of New Zealand wouVl visit, Palmerston North in September anil Mrs Field and Mrs J. A. McLeavcy were appointed representatives of the b>-3rich to meet the committee. • Miss. Matheson will also attend to officially represent the AVellington central provincial executive.

Invitations were to hand for members to attend functions to commemorate the anniversary of the Halcombe branch and Rimbolton-Kiwitea branch. Any members who desired to accept the invitation were asked to advise Miss Matheson (secretary) so that transport can be arranged. For the benefit- of those who bad not attended the quarterly meeting at Marton on Tuesday Mrs Field gave a report of her work as housekeeper secretary. Miss Matheson gave an interesting account of her hospital visits for the past quarter. In the absence of Mrs W. A. Davison, one of the delegates to the quarterly council meeting. the president and secretary .gave a short resume. Mrs Field and Miss Matheson also gave a brief account of the Julv conference in Wellington. An invitation had been received to attend an address by Mrs Paterson, of Pahiatua. on the League of Na'ions and Miss Matheson and Miss Ralstron had been present.

A reminder was given to members that September was Book Club Month, and it was hoped that, as in former years, Palmerston North would again send a consignment of books and magazines, for this worthy object. Mrs W. •T. Croucher will again l>e the collector, and books may be brought to the September meeting for the purpose of handing them over in readiness for despatch to the headquarters of the W.D.F.U. Book Club. A donation of £1 Is to the Christmas fund for the Makogai Leper Station was made on behalf of the branch. Congratulations were extended to Mrs J. McMahon on her son’s success at Leeds University, England, where he has gained his degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Mrs Field told the meeting that, at the conference held in Wellington last month, the question was raised that many of our brilliant young, men who ha.d gone abroad to complete their studies had not returned to the Dominion after gaining distinct honours in England. However, the hope was expressed that after the completion of further studies, there would be a possibility of Dr. McMahon returning to New Zealand. Mrs Field said that all were proud of this young New Zealander’s success abroad, and Mrs McMahon said she would pass the congratulatory message on to her son. Mrs D. Buchanan, of Tiakitahuna, who has been an advisory member of the branch for some years, was further honoured at the Wellington Central Provincial Council meeting by being appointed, with Mrs W. F. Stevens, an advisory member for the executive. The local branch appreciated this tribute that had been paid one of its members. New members enrolled were Mesdames McEved.v. Harrison and Irvine (Linton), and Algie (Fitzherbert). It was agreed that the September meeting take the form of a social afternoon, and the president, secretary and treasurer will finalise arrangements. '