MOTHERS' UNION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23135, 6 September 1938, Page 3

MOTHERS' UNION

AUCKLAND DIOCESE STEADY PROGRESS MADE MEMBERSHIP NOW OVER 2300 A year of steady progress with increased interest and activity in most of the branches was revealed at the annual meeting of the Diocese of Auckland ..Mothers' Union held yesterday afternoon in Bisliopscourt Library, Parnell. Archbishop Averill presided. The annual report, presented by the honorary diocesan secretary, Mrs. W. J. Siinkin, stated that a new branch had been formed at St. Heliers and one was being formed at Warkworth. A branch at Kaipara flats in the same parisli had been amalgamated with the latter. There were now 57 pakeha branches and 31 Maori branches. The work among the native mothers was making marked progress, there being <39-1 Maori members out of a total membership of 2398. Appreciation was expressed in the report of the help and interest taken in the work of the union* by Archbishop and Mrs. Averill, the Rev. Canon and Mis. Coats and the clergy throughout the diocese. The accounts showed a bank balance of nearly £SO. In moving the adoption of the report nnd balance-sheet, Archbishop Averill paid a tribute to the memory of three members who had passed away:—Mrs. Culpan, a life member of the council; Mrs. Nairn, secretary of the St. Paul's branch; and Mrs. Keretene, the enrolling member of the AVliangarei Maori branch.

The Archbishop also passed a motion of sympathy with Mother Hannah, who is at present in ill-health. Referring to tho Mothers' Union activities. Archbishop Averill congratulated the members on the steady growth of tho organisation and thanked tho council members for their sustained interest in the work of the union, which, lie said, was needed to-day as never before. He stressed the importance of the link work and the growth of the Maori work, and expressed appreciation of the splendid help given to the Maori and pakeha branches by Mrs. R. G. Coats. The value of the Mothers' Union in the upholding of tho sanctity of marriage and the purity of home life was spoken of by Canon Coats. Following the meeting, an informal talk was given by Mrs. H. Mowll, wife of the Archbishop of Sydney, who passed through Auckland yesterday on her way to Canada. Mrs. Mowll spoke of the activities of the Mothers' Union in Sydney and the wonderful link and fellowship existing between the unions in every part of the world. Afternoon tea was later served by the council members.