Country Women Meet At Massey College

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 2

Country Women Meet At Massey College

At the invitation of Professor G. S. Peren, principal of Massey Agricultural College, the March quarterly meeting of the Wellington Central provincial of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the assembly hall at the college yesterday. Mrs. J. A. Harris (Turalcina) presided, associated with her being Mesdames H. Millard (Rangiotu), hon. secretary, and E. B. Jennings (hon. treasurer). Proceedings opened with a prayer for peace, after which all present stood in silent sympathy with members who had suffered bereavement. Offering a cordial welcome to the delegates, Mrs. Harris said it was a joy to se-e such a large number present and it was gratifying to have Mrs. J. M- Graham, of Woodville, president of the S.H.B. provincial, present, also Mrs. Redward (secretary, Dannevlrke). She asked that members make every opportunity to become familiar with the facilities of the college. Arising out of the minutes, it was resolved, on the motion of Mesdames W. F. Field and J. McMahon, “that the inadequate supply of gumboots for farmers’ wives bo given immediate attention,” this to be sent to the Farmers’ Union to deal with. Greetings were conveyed to the meeting from Miss M. Matheson, former secretary of the Palmerston North branch, and an appreciation of kind thoughts in her illness with the welcome news that her health was improving. A recommendation from Tutaenui branch, “that the annual meeting of the provincial commence immediately after lunch,” was approved. Various rules and suggested amendments as put forward at the Huntervllle meeting were then given consideration and approved to be sent forward to the Dominion executive. At midday a break was made in proceedings to receive Professor Peren who was introduced by Mrs. Harris as one who had great vision of the problems of the country women, who should get behind him with their cooperation. Planning Ahead. Professor Peivn said he was only too pleased for organisations connected with agriculture to meet at the college and make use of its facilities. All this made for team work which they must have if the college were to help rural people. Continuing, the professor said he was glad of the opportunity of outlining something of what the college was doing for women students in an effort to meet the noeds of the times. As an indication of what was going on at present the speaker mentioned there were 16 different timetables running for the ten different courses in operation. To give a cross section of the type of work going on it was mentioned that, in addition to the ordinary university course, there was a two-year diploma course for young farmers anxious to add technical experience to practical knowledge; there were trainees for the dairy industry; 40 students would arrive in July for the annual writex* course for herd testing. There was a two-year poultry course, a horticultural diploma course (much patronised by women), and wool classing with some 40 students enrolled. The Board had looked at North Island farming and put on coures to meet the requirements, he said. The college had thrown all courses open to women and in considering the agriculture field from what the countrywomen needed, they were hoping to meet the postwar requirements. The settingup of a committee with representatives of the countrywomen’s organisations and National Council of Women had been a

big step forward and it should be i*ossible to evolve a fine series of courses for women. They could only plan until the war was over as there was too big a shortage of womanpower. Meantime the women’s classes had increased out of all: expectations. The horticulture course had gone ahead with leaps and bounds, there being now 17 students, and other courses were booming. Professor Peren referred to the money left by Mrs. Moginie (who had shown farseeing and generous traits) which the Board had been able to use for the purpose of buying the Monro nomestead, an ideal situation, as a hostel for women students. Back of accommodation had held back the development of women’s interests, and Professor Peren said he hoped they would realise they were now at the beginning of big things. In addition to the 24 in the new hostel there were Army huts also entirely full. Most of the students had come in connection with production work. There was still a problem, the speaker continued, when more students would arrive next year. The education of country girls was the concern of the country women, lie felt, and their influence and financial assistance was needed by the college so that its full contribution might be made. The Board was considering postwar problems, how to keep the young people in the country, to make farming m- attractive, in competition with life in the towns. With better education and a higher standard of living there was greater tendency to leave the long hours, the loneliness and perhaps drudgery of farming, foolishly attracted by the glare of the cities. We could not blind our eyes to the fact that the problem was sociological also. A great deal of help could be given by agricultural colleges to make life in the country more attractive. He urged those present to tackle the problem to make more useful contributions to the life of their districts or the drift would continue to the cities. Young people who had been called up had spread their wings out of the nest and would not easily settle down. In answer to questions, Professor Peren said among the women in residence were students taking dairying, poultry, agriculture, horticulture and milk marketing. If the need arose beokeeping would be included and home-makers’ courses cm the lines of that tried out before the war. Thanks were conveyed to Professor Peren by Mrs. Permain, of Mangaweka, Mrs. J. M. Graham adding an appreciation on behalf of Southern Hawke’s Bay. The meeting was most interested to learn of plans put forward by Massey College for suggested improvements in rural housing, which are to be circulated. The visitors were hospitably entertained at a buffet lunch in the hostel adjoining the refectory and it says much for Miss V. Ward, the matron, that she was able to serve 120 guests instead of the 72 expected. A roll call revealed the wide area from which the delegates had come and a special welcome was extended to members from a new branch, Marton Block. The date of the inter-provincial meeting was altered to March 17. After the business of the meeting some of the members were shown over the first hostel provided for women and welcomed by Miss C. Warburton, who is acting matron. All were charmed with the situation and the facilities provided for these fortunate young women. Bater the members repaired to the hostel in the grounds once more for afternoon tea and opportunity was taken by Mrs. Harris to thank Professor Peren and Miss Ward for all their good offices. As a small token of appreciation she handed Professor Peren a cheque for £ls 15s which included contributions by all present, made up to the amount from the provincial towards the hostel fund.

The dances organised by the A.N.A. Club during the week-end were well attended by members of the Forces. Tbo Monte Carlo was won on Saturday by Miss D. Nicholl and B.A.C. D. Allison, and on Sunday by Miss H. O’Neill and Pte. C. Payne. The games were capably conducted by Misses D. Young and V. Royal, and on Saturday Miss W. Whyte served the soft drinks, Misses 8., E. and R. Warren serving them on Sunday. The duties of hostesses were undertaken by Mesdames M. Bane, A. Joblln, B. Hobbs and K. Innes. The Bady Galway Guild serviced the canteen, the hostesses being Mesdames A. E. Mansford, G. C. Petersen, E. B. Plunkett, A. E. Bynch, J. B. Davies and Miss Wallace. The clubrooni was tastefully decorated by Mesdames D. Plank and F. Weekes with bowls of hydrangeas, asters and nasturtiums. There were 155 teas and seven suppers served. Entertainment, as usual, was supplied by members of the Girls’ Music Club. Mrs. Sales and Miss B. Montgomery were on duty at the lounge.