National Council of Women

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 60, 14 March 1944, Page 2

National Council of Women

MANAWATU BRANCH Mrs. J. Harris (Turakina) presided over the March meeting of the Manaivatu branch of the National Council of Women and welcomed Mrs. A. Fisher, live new representative for the Cuba Street Guild, also Mrs. W. J. Mlnogue, who had been absent through illness, and >Mrs. Screech, a visitor to the meeting. Mrs. H. Millard, secretary, Wellington Central Provincial of the W.D.F.U., wrote in appreciation of the efforts of the National Council, particularly in the matter of circulating the minutes. It was agreed to meet in future at 1.45 p.m. Remits passed at the last conference covered a wide range of subjects such as the building of larger State houses for families; women police for smaller centres; liquor laws; appointment of a woman to the Prisons Hoard; local body franchise, among others, and the Ministers' replies thereto. With regard to resolutions relating to education, re child labour in factories, preliminary training of nurses, training in social service, inquiries into living conditions of young teachers in back-block schools, vocational guidance, staffing of primary and post-primary schools, the Minister expressed appreciation of the evident interest shown by the National Council in discussing matters affecting the welfare of pupils and teachers, with an assurance that these questions would receive sympathetic consideration. Further replies received concerned cinema and radio programmes, shortage of clastic stockings, that these matters were being also given consideration. Gratification was expressed on the report of the consultative committee on post-primary education submitted to the Minister of Education and published in the press that schools must accept some responsibility for sex education, a matter to which the branch has given much thought in proparing a pamphlet. It was intimated that the women’s sections of both National and Labour Parties would send delegates to the branch.