National Council of Women

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

National Council of Women

MANAWATU BRANCH RESUMES ACTIVITIES. At the first meeting of the year of the Manawatu branch of the National Council of Women, held this week in the Y.W.C.A. club-rooms, Miss C. McKcnny (Pahiatua) presided over a fair attendance and extended good wishes for the coming year, stressing the aims of the council and what it should achieve. A welcome was extended to Miss C. Jamieson, as a representative of the Palmerston North branch of the W.C.T.U., and it was resolved to send greetings to Miss C. Moore, a former representative who is indisposed. Mrs W. F. Field was also welcomed as a proxy for a member of the W.D.F.U. Greetings were received from .the Dunedin, Gisborne and Christchurch branches. Correspondence included a letter from Miss Kirk, Dominion president, regarding the set-back the council had had in the matter of women police, urging all branches to push this project. Headquarters wrote dealing with a resolution from Auckland concerning reduced telephone charges and Hamilton's request for support in an effort to enlist the sympathy of the Minister for Education in having Maori crafts included iu the curriculum of Native and mission schools was endorsed, the Women’s Institutes being further suggested as an 'avenue for preserving Maori characteristics and arts. It was also agreed to give support to the appeal from the Christchurch branch to the Government to extend the work for retardate children and form occupational centres. A communication from Dunedin with regard to training centres for domestic workers was held in abeyance. Discussion centred round the programme for 1937 and amongst other matters it was decided to study the question of what is being done for sub-normal children, also nutrition, and to invite Dr. K. Dean to address the branch on this subject, also to give further consideration to the question of women police. Mrs Harris (Marton) put forward the suggestion of the formation of a national executive to consider the needs of New Zealand from a woman’s point of view. This matter will be further discussed. Before 4he mectfng terminated, opportunity was taken to farewell Mrs Harris (Marton), who is shortly making a trip to the Old Country, good wishes for a happy holiday and safe return being conveyed. The hope was expressed that Mrs Harris would get in touch with the national councils abroad and learn of their activities.