W.D.F.U.

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 21

W.D.F.U.

OUR NOTICE BOARD.

Address of Dominion Secretary:— P. O. Box 1601,’ Wellington. Members are busy getting ready for Conference in July. Don’t forget to press all your friends into service for the knitting campaign, and wrhen purchasing wool remember to “BUY NEW ZEALAND GOODS.” All Women’s Division members extend kindest wishes to Miss Jean Begg for her work in India, and are grateful for her activities in establishing the PanPacific Women’s Association. ¥ ¥ ¥ DOINGS OF BRANCHES. The usual monthly meeting of the Oamaru branch was held in the Borough Council Chambers. It was decided on account of financial depression that no delegates be sent tQ the conference at Wellington this year. Several reports w'ith regard to the wool campaign, PanPacific League and incorporation were received. It was decided that a Home Science Circle be formed to commence at next monthly meeting. ¥ * ¥ The members of the Upper Waitaki branch of the Women’s Divison of the Farmers’ Union spent a very enjoyable afternoon on May 25 in the Hakataramea Hall, when addresses were delivered by Professor Strong, organiser of the Home Science Department of the Otago University, Miss Finlayson, organiser for the W.D.F.U., and Miss Reid. Miss W. P. Cameron presided over an attendance of over forty members. Before introducing the speakers the National Anthem Was sung. Miss Finlayson outlined what the W.D.F.U. meant to the country women, and the many advantages gained from the organisation. Professor Strong gave a practical talk on child nutrition, dietetics, and hygienics as undertaken by the Home Science Department. Miss Reid, as dietician, spoke very interest-' ingly on her work and also explained the box system adopted by the Home Science Department. After tea Mrs A. Chapman, jun., vice-president, proposed a vote of thanks to the visiting lecturers. The meeting was then brought to a close.

The monthly meeting of the Waipahi branch of the Women’s Institute was held in the hall, Mrs Collins presiding. There was. a good attendance of members, considering the bad weather. The roll call was answered with “What I would best like to be, or do.” Mrs J. Cumming and Miss M; Lauren were elected

delegates to attend the Otago and South land Federation Conference, to be held in Dunedin on June 4. A display of fancy and needle work was exhibited by the members, some very fine work being displayed.

The mont'Jy meeting of the Brighton Women’s Institute was held in the Brighton Hall supper room on May 28, at 7.30 p.m. The president (Mrs Hay) presided over an attendance of 34 members. A lecture, “My Trave] in Spain,” by the vice-president (Mrs Archibald Baxter), occupied the principal part of the programme. Mrs Baxter first outlined the histoiy of Spain, then described the beautiful Moorish architecture of the cathedrals and old historic buildings in the town she visited.. A competition foi the best vase of chrysanthemum blooms was won by Mrs Craigie. During the social half hour which followed, a talk was given by Mrs Petrie about her experiences in Hastings during the recent earthquake, and she made members realise more fully the harrowing experiences of the Hawke’s Bay residents. The hostesses for the evening were Mesdames Bruce and Blackwood and Miss Braid. A special meeting was held on May 12 to enable the Home Science Extension Bureau to give a demonstration of the construction of the “dress form.” Misses Reid and M’Millan were the demonstrators. The demonstration was eagerly watched by the 30 members present.'and a very profitable afternoon was spent. The hostesses for the occasion were the members of committee.

The West Taieri branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union met in the Outram Oddfellows’ Hall on the evening of May 28 to hear a lecture given by Mr Lloyd- Ross, acting director of the Workers’ Educational Association in Otago. The lecture was open to all friends of the members, and the members of the local branches of the Farmers’ Union and Workers’ Educational Association were present by invitation. Mr Ross gave an interesting and entertaining account of his recent travels in Europe and America, stressing particularly the fascination of the “ old ” atmosphere both in the customs and the buildings of England; the folk high schools of Denmark; the culture and art of Sweden; the calm beauty of the Austrian countryside; the majesty of the “ Passion Play ” at Oberammergau; the charm of Vienna; and finally contrasting the new world by New York, with its bustle and eneigetic living. At the close of the lecture the president (Mrs T. Grant) outlined the activities which had been arranged in Dunedin for Show Week.

The ordinary meeting of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union last Wednesday was well attended by members and others who had been invited. Misses Johnston and M’Milan, of the Home Science Extension Bureau, gave a practical demonstration on “ Construction of the Dress Form.” The president (Mrs William Annan) was appointed delegate to the annual conference.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The fifth provincial annual general meeting and conference of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Home Science building, Otago University, on Tuesday afternoon, when Mrs Jasper Clark presided over a very large attendance. >

Before the business of the conference was proceeded with an address was given by Miss Mackintosh, principal of Columba College, who, after expressing her pleasure at meeting the descendants of the pioneers whose colossal courage, heartbreaking toil, and tremendous endurance had created such results, said that there were several matters of moment in the minds of people to-day, and one of these was the question of money. The financial situation was such that everyone was thinking of it. It was not till they found that money was disappearing that they were faced with the want of it, but the position certainly had its compensations. Things remained that no money could ’ buy—-life, health, friendship, and endurance, all of which were without price. During the war, and more recently during the New Zealand earthquakes, there was manifested a great spirit of comradeship and of co-operation, and when that happened there was an enhancement of life. The present situation was worth while if it called forth similar human attributes. After all, Miss Macintosh said, the primal wants of life were very few and simple. She liked to think that the leaders of this division were going out among the country people and turning their thoughts to other things than the need for money. Miss Macintosh dealt to some extent with certain aspects of the education sys-

tern. One felt at times like this, she said, that it was desirable to get down to fundamental things and not to spend more on education than was necessary. Given the three foundation subjects—reading, writing, and arithmetic—some people could go on educating themselves in any subject. In schools in addition to history and geography, she would desire that girls should have training in home science and boys in manual dexterities. “ I think we have made our education too exclusively academic,” Miss Mackintosh declared. “ Young people are trained to a point where they can enter a profession, so. that there are more educated people than there are professions for them. As a result you see much unhappiness and many misfits. It is time we set our educational house in order, and prepared boys and girls for the ordinary course of life and not for professions.” She emphasised the importance of a knowledge of home science for girls, saying that no girl should leave a primary or a secondary school without some knowledge of this subject. There should be nothing derogatory in this country in a girl going into the home of another family and in running the home in social eq -ality with the mistress. The result should be a very happy one. Education was not a matter of a few years in one’s youth, but a matter for a lifetime. Another matter Miss Mackintosh made reference to was character training. The home had no business to relegate to the school the training of the character of the child. The home brought the child into the world and was responsible for its first few years, and it was very necessary that the school and home should work in conjunction. One truth of psycho-analysis was that if a child was pulled in one way by the home and another way by the school the result was chaotic. She suggested that character might be trained through the two school subjects, literature and history. Personality was another important factor, and in Uris connection nobody should enter the teaching profession unless they felt a call to do so'. It would not do to enter the profession just as a means of livelihood alone. -

“ The pinnacle of all our education should be ideals,” Miss Mackintosh concluded. “ Know-ledge may he of the earth, earthy, but wisdom always has its home on the heights. The things seen are temporal—the things unseen eternal.” FARM WOMAN’S OPPORTUNITIES. Mrs Clark, in her presidential address, said that at the close of anomer year she wished to express her pleasure at the great success of their efforts. She thought that they would agree that their organisation was now on the upward trend. In times of stress any body was welded together in struggle aud had its character fixed in adversity. When this stage passed—and it appeared to be passing with the Women’s Division—then difficulties occurred which must be faced in order to be avoided. It would be well for them at that time to pause aud take stock of their organisation. Organisation was a servant, not a master, and they must not ever overlook Uie necessity for maintaining the human touch in their movement. They were not an association of members who paid a subscription, but an association of friends. They must realise that only in unity was there strength, and to be steadfast, loyal, and united was the keynote of their creed. “We have great power,” Mrs Clark added. “We will have greater power, and we must guard against using that power in matters that do not concern us as farm women. In the future we will probably be tempted to take a hand in many affairs which do not directly concern us. We must resist temptation Our objects are wide; let us confine ourselves to these and not lose our character as farm and country women. This does not mean that the character of a farm woman is fixed, or that the farm woman of to-day will greatly resemble the farm woman of 50 years hence. Electricity has revolutionised farm life in the last 20 years, as many members will be well aware. Motor cars have reduced space, and wireless brings the most isolated farmstead in close touch with the rest of the world. However, we must not ignore the fact that a farmhouse will always differ from a city home. The farm woman has groat opportunities as well as great responsibilities, and one of the major aims of our organisation should always he to introduce any influences which will be for the good of the country woman and give her the benefit of the culture of all time. Our branch meetings. _ too. we hone, are providing mental stimulus, as well as wider social contacts and increased knowledge. We shall be wise to keep before us the ideal of a growing organisation—growing' not only in membership but also in usefulness. and in enlarged outlook. We must face the fact that many of the women who should be in our organisation have not

yet joined; also, that many of the younger women in tlie country are uot yet members. In many cases these are women who are without good means of tram-port and living a very lonely life, often snuggling hard against difficult financial circumstances. and it is to help these women that our organisation was formed. If we do not gain these women as members now. how much more difficult will it be to persuade them later that they need us as much as we need them? 1 would urge every woman present to make it her personal duty to endeavour to discover all such women in her district, and, if possible, arrange transport for .those less fortunately situated than herself. Very often it is- iust the small request. '* Will you come to the meeting? ” which is necessary to induce a lonely woman or newcomer to the district to come along Even under the present very difficult eco nomic position friendship and kindliness and a large sympathy cost nothing, yet are so infinitely valuable. An organisation is like an individual — it has a definite personality and atmosphere. May we each and .all realise our opportunity and our responsibilities and build such an organisation as will justify our creed: "Let us be large in thought, in order and in deed.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: — President, Mrs J. F. Drake (Berwick); vice-presidents—Mesdames Crawford Anderson (Stirling), A. McKinnon (Middlemarch). and W. R. Wedge (Palmerston); auditor. Mr J. A. Robinson; Provincial Executive—Mesdames Hallum (Waikouaiti), Cross (Portobello), G. Wilson (Glcnomaru), Crawford Anderson, and Drake. REMITS. Tire following remits were earned:— “ That this conference strongly recommends that some system of proxy voting be established whereby branches unable to send delegates to the Dominion Conference by reason of expenses involved may in future vote on vital matters.” “ That where a provincial executive is functioning properly and is in a position to carry on its own housekeeper scheme, that such executive be expected to send only a limited sum to the Dominion community chest.”

“ That this conference considers that the decision of the Government to cut out the £ for £ subsidy for home science extension work is a distinct breach of faith upon the part of the Government, and that the importance of the work is such that the Government should be urged to reconsider its decision.” ; “That a sub-committee from this con-| ference be set up to confer with subcommittees from the National Council of Women, the Health Department, and the I Home Economies Association, with a view to making joint representation to the Government regarding the curtailment of subsidy to the home science extension service ” " That this conference considers the time given to home science training in schools to be inadequate, and recommends that such an important aspect of education for girls should be given at least three hours’ study per week in Standards V and VI primary schools.” “ That this conference bring to the notice of the Commissioner of Police the fact that many country hotels regularly and openly sell liquor at hours at which and to persons to whom it is unlawful to sell liquor, and urges upon the commissioner that in the interests of the country districts he' should instruct his officers in charge of such districts to enforce the law more strictly.” “That the Dominion Executive be asked to approach the Dominion Executive of the Women’s Institute with a view to amalgamation.” “That in view of the detrimental effect upon the Home market resulting from the shipping of standardised cheese from the North Island, the Government be urged to take immediate steps to prohibit its export.” At the conclusion of the meeting the delegates and visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the home science students.

FARM WOMEN’S INSTITUTES. Motto: "If you know a good thing, pass it on.” " Mifawny ” wishes to thank Mrs Gutschlag for her kind letters and helpful suggestions. For information re Women’s Institutes write to: Miss Jerome Spence, chief organisation, New Zealand Women’s Institutes, Oinatua (private hag), Napier; telegrams and telephone; Rissington.

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND FEDERATION. The first annual meeting of the Otago and Southland Provincial Federation of Women’s Institutes was held on Thursday, when Miss Stops (England), and Misses E. Reid and V. Macmillan, of the Home Science Extension Service, were present. A meeting of the executive took place in the morning followed by a meeting for presidents and secretaries. At 1 pan. the delegates arrived from all the Women’s Institutes in Otago* and Southland, when the election of officers took place, the result of the ballot being as follow: —President, Mrs J. Caidwell (Greenfield); vice-president, Mrs Gutschlag (Waikaka); committee —Professor Strong (Dunedin), Mesdames Ayson (Warepa), Kirkland (Taieri), Copeland (Kaiwera), Mackenzie (Waikaka), Craigie (Gore), Nixon (Pukerau), A. C. Kee (Clydevale); treasurer and honorary secretary, H. D. Cooksley (Clinton). 'The meeting opened with the singing of the institute song and creed. Then followed the president’s address of welcome, after which a very satisfactory annual report and balance sheet were adopted. Remits were discussed, and Professor Strong spoke on the aims and ideals of the Home Science Department, which was out to help the country women as far as possible. It was decided to confer with the secretary of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union with a view to co-operation and amalgamation, and it was unanimously decided to affiliate with the National Council of Women, Mrs Kirkland (honorary secretary, Taieri Women’s Institute) to be the institute’s represeni tative.

At the conclusion of the business the delegates adjourned to the Otago Women’s Club, where afternoon tea was served, and a social half hour was enjoyed. A pianoforte solo was given by Mrs H. C. Campbell. a song by Mrs Hill, and a recitation by Mrs Kee. After votes of thanks had been passed to the Otago Women’s Club for hospitalitj’ extended, the press and all who had helped in any way to make the meeting such a success, the proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem. The members of the Women’s Institute greatly appreciated the very hearty welcome extended to them on Tuesday afternoon by the Home Science Extension Service and the Home Economic Association.

On Wednesday morning Miss Stops (England) conducted a school for officers at the Otago Women’s Club, which proved very helpful and instructive. STALL AT THE WINTER SHOW. An excellent display of handicrafts was on view at the show. It was organised by Mrs Kirkland (Taieri) and a»band of willing helpers from the Taieri Women’s Institute. A striking display of gloves made from New Zealand skins was on view, and a beautiful exhibit of worldwide handicrafts from other women’s institutes lent by Miss Stops (England). Among the collection was a replica of the Queen’s quilt, smocks, gloves (made from still-born lamb skins), and rugs made from waste material, trays and baskets from matting, native enow grass, and pine needles. The display of marquetry, pewter, and barbola work was also a feature of the stall.

Miss Stops, voluntary organiser of women’s institutes, left Dunedin yesterday morning for Pukerau, where she will conduct schools for officers and members in the surrounding districts. On June 13 she will hold a school for officers in Gore in the morning, and a rally will be held in the afternoon of members from the combined women’s institutes. Miss Stops is willing to form new women’s institutes wherever required, but does not wish to encroach on any ground covered by the Women’s Division of the Fanners’ Union.