W.D.F.U.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 14

W.D.F.U.

OUR NOTICE BOARD.

Dominion President: Mrs C. C. Jackson, Kopuaranga, Wairarapa. Dominion Treasurer: Mrs D. Simpson, Heaton Park, Marton. Dominion Secretary: Mrs P. Smith, Box 1601, Wellington. Dominion Correspondent : Mrs O. Benton, Auroa. Money and clothes for earthquake relief Mrs Joel, Hastings. Don’t forget the Dominion Conference and the knitting display. ¥ ¥ ¥ At the W.D.F.U. annual conference to be held in July in Wellington many

Important remits have been framed for discussion, some of which are:— • Re Administration: That the Dominion Executive meeting should be held four times a year, in different centres each time. That as civil servants, Returned Soldiers’ Association, shop assistants, and many other groups are able to reduce the cost of living by receiving discounts on their purchases, the time has come when the Women’s Division should strive to obtain some economic relief for its members. It is recommended that the Women’s Division add one or more sewing women to their staff at the same rate ©f pay as the housekeepers. That housekeeping rules be revised and wages reduced to meet the times. That the Housekeepers’ Auxiliary meetings, now held in Palmerston, be alternately held in Wanganui and Palmerston North. That steps be taken to ensure that bush nurses acquire Plunket training to bring them into line with maternity nurses. That any reliable, competent girls from 18 to 25 years who have been recommended by the Women’s Division be termed “ junior housekeepers.” The desirability or otherwise of joining up with the Women’s Institute will be fully discussed. That the original reasons for the formation of the Women’s Division be adhered to, viz., (1) to strengthen the Farmers’ Union; (2) that a closer co-operation with the Farmers’ Union is desirable; (3) that the secretary of the Farmers’ Union be asked to furnish the presidents of branches with all literature pertaining thereto. That school buses be plainly labelled as such back and front that they may be assured the consideration due from other motorists to vehicles carrying children.

That more importance be given to supervision of school playing grounds and instruction in games. That children riding to school should be paid the same as children driving. That the Government be urged to build more rest homes for women who are temporarily deranged through nervous breakdowns or other illnesses, for treatment, instead of being sent to an asylum. That we protest against the raising of fees at St. Helens Hospital in view of the present economic conditions. We feel that the people for whom it was built will not be able to meet the extra charge. That we support Auckland Education Board’s suggestion that dental caravans be supplied for country schools where dental facilities do not exist. That in view of the inequality of town and country in hospital board elections, only ratepayers be eligible to vote. That as there seems to be no limit to the ideals of hospital architecture, the time is opportune for the authorities to decrease expenditure on unnecessarily luxurious buildings. That the Pensions Act be amended sb as to grant the pension to confirmed invalids. That a recommendation be made to the Pensions Department that the age limit for the old age 'pension in the case of women be reduced to 57 years, as many women at that age are quite unable to support themselves and have to seek charitable aid. That it is now time that unemployment be attacked at its root, viz., the prevention of the increase of the unemployable, the children -of the unfit mentally and physically. Although this would not the relieve present situation, the generations to come would benefit. That conference be urged to support any action other organisations may take to improve the alarming number of unemployed women in our cities. That in country places where there are drill halls not in use these buildings be turned into shelters for unemployed men, the Government being asked to provide blankets and stretch-

ers from Trentham. That conference recommend all branches to advocate the buying of New Zealand or British-made goods in preference to all others. That the age of marriage for minors he raised to 16 years. At present it is 12 years for girls and 14 years for boys. That indigent immigrants be not allowed to land in New Zealand. That this conference wishes to protest against the unhealthy tone of many of the American pictures, and considers the censoring is not adequate. That the courts in which domestic cases are being heard should be closed to the general public, allowing only parties concerned, with a special friend, recognised social ■workers, and the press to attend. That the appointment of women patrols cannot be taken as in any way satisfying the demand for the appointment of women police. That the Government should not be asked for anything which would mean increased expenditure of public money until financial outlook improves. That the action of branches in protesting against drinking at dances be upheld. That while cream cans are awaiting —-(at roadside) collection for factories by lorries, they should be protected from the sun, and that cream lorries ■. should be covered in so that the road dust has no chance of penetrating cans.

BRANCH REPORTS.

A meeting of the Gore branch presided over by Mrs Stewart was held in the club rooms. A motion of sympathy with Mrs J. Bruce in the death of her mother was passed. A market has been started at Gore, and members were asked to support this by sending the best of supplies. Far more could be sold than had come to hand, there being a special demand for dressed poultry, cake, eggs, butter, and cream. A magazine is to be sent to a Flock House boy who is ill at present. Three branches will share the expense of this, which he will receive regularly for a year. A special market committee was up, the following ladies being elected:—Mesdames Stewart, Dickie, Derrett, Johnstone, Wright, Smith, Copland, Cross, Gutschlag, Orr, Dennis, M‘Taggart, and Scott, and Miss Jessie M'Leod. The annual meeting will be held in about a week’s time.

The Riverton branch held its meeting recently, when a good attendance of members enjoyed a very interesting address on “ Poultry Raising and Egg Production,” from Mr Cussen, Government poultry expert. Miss MacNaughton, president, thanked Mr Cussen on behalf of the members. The first Home Science lecture was given by Miss M'Millan, and was much appreciated by the ladies. During the month a book on “ Sunlight and Fresh Air ” was read by the district groups.

An ineresting time was spent on May 22 by the ladies of the North Otago branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmer’s Union, 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. Mrs R. B. Meek presided over an attendance of over 60 members. The president extended a hearty welcome to the speakers. Miss Finlayson outlined what the W.D.F.U. meant to country women, and asked for the co-operation of all. To give an idea of how their scheme flourished in South Otago the speaker stated that membership increased from 180 a year ago to 960 at present. The division would prove a common meeting ground for the interchange of ideals. Professor Strong gave a practical talk on dietetics and hygiene as undertaken by the Home Science Department. The laws for cooking food, she said, were few and simple. Malnutrition in children was often due, not to lack of food, but the wrong choice, and also to bad cooking. The Home Science Extension Service began in Dunedin with six members, but it had now grown to several hundreds, and branches were springing up throughout the country. It worked in close cooperation with the W.D.F.U. and thought that kindred bodies such as these were should amalgamate, as it provided that strength attributed to unity. Last year there were visited by it 14 groups, but now 86 groups, reaching a total of approximately 2000 women, had had such visitations. Miss Reid addressing those present said that she would like the people to realise the magnanimous gesture of the Carnegie Institute, America, in making a grant which entitled the work in which they were interested to be extended so as to benefit the women of New Zealand. The speaker stated that she had learned a great deal about foods while in America. She then went on to explain the box system adopted by the Home Science Department. In thanking the visiting ladies for their very interesting and instructive lectures the Mayoress, Mrs Forrester, expressed the appreciation of the Women’s Club as well as that of the W.D.F.U. The speakers had come to help the housekeepers of North Otago. If Home Science spread throughout New Zealand it would make life more agreeable, and raise it to a higher plane. Mrs Meek said that it was. hoped to form a branch of the Home Science Department in North Otago. Votes of thanks were passed tP the lecturers and to the ladies for the use of the club rooms. And to Mrs W. C. Marshall, “Avoca Park,” for extending hospitality to the visitors.

The annual meeting of the Invercargill branch was held at the end of May, when Mrs Ward presided over 95 members. The secretary submitted her report, as follows: — There has been an average attendance of 60 members at each meeting during the year. With the assistance of the Southland Executive of the Farmers’ Union new branches were formed in Southland, making a total of 23. An executive was formed to meet every three months. The Dominion Household Guide is proving very popular, and so far the demand far exceeds the supply. Thanks are due to all members who were responsible for the finance, cookery books, Tui’s Annual, organising, social, envelopes and badges, library, housekeeping, and exchange. The exchange worked quite successfully, but has been closed since the opening of the Women’s Division market, which is being well patronised. Demonstrations have been much enjoyed throughout the year, and our thanks are-due to all those who gave the demonstrations —Mrs Ward on “ Dress Cutting,” Mrs Buxton on “ Barbola,” Mrs Randall on “ Bottling and Preserving Fruit and Vegetables,” Miss Gill on “ Cake Icing,” and Miss Finlayson, organising secretary for Otago, who showed members how to make posies and explained about Producers, Ltd. Members have had the opportunity of exchanging ideas and hints. Competitions and subjects have been: Helpful hints; preparing meals ahead to save time and fuel; best Christmas gift costing Is 6d or less; something new from something old; best use that can be made out of a carcass of mutton for six persons.

Receipts and expenditure show a credit balance of £l2O Us 2d. However, up to the time the balance sheet was made up the levies on members’ subscriptions for 1931 had not been paid up, nor had the £lO donation to the community chest been forwarded. The 300 Household Guides have also to be paid for. In Mrs Ward’s report she stated, inter alia:—

Farmers’ Union.—We are greatly indebted to the Farmers’ Union for its help during the year. Market.—That our shop has been much appreciated. by our members and the public is evident. Whether the Saturday lalf-holiday will affect the market adversely or not remains to be seen. The Economic Problem.—We regret that time will not permit us to discuss this pressing problem. That it is a very serious matter the wives and mothers on the land know well. For are we not partners in the truest sense? There is no calling (except, perhaps, the Christian ministry) where a woman can so much share in her husband’s calling • as in farming. That being so, when the slogan, Produce more,” was set going, and topdressing was the watchword, what more natural than that the woman on the land should sacrifice, that their husbands might have the wherewithal to improve their pastures and increase their stock? Had prices kept up for a few years all would have been well, but the slump caught a n m i rs - stocked up with, expensive sheep. All their profits and liquid capital we're put into the land and stock, with the result that for want of finance many have been compelled to realise at ruinous prices. Seeing that the national crisis is linked up with the farmers’ crisis, it seems strange that the economists could n £t have evolved some scheme to distribute the finance more evenly. Huge profits are being made out of the wool sold at January sales, but the working farmer cannot share in the rise because, against tos better judgment, he has been compelled to meet the market. We are rather tired of being reminded of the good years we have had. We are quite prepared to admit that times were better and prices good, but the costs of production, plus the cost of living, were so high that the farmer found that he was only handling large sums of money, not making it. Unemployment.—This is one of the saddest phases of our national life, and we deeply sympathise with all honest men and women who are willing to do their share of their country’s work and who are deprived of the opportunity of so doing. Thanks. —I wish to thank one and all for all the help which has been so freely given to me during my term of office, especially to the secretary, Miss M’Kenzie, and the assistant secretary, Miss Henderson. Time will not allow me to mention all I should, but I must thank Mrs Lokan, for taking charge of the exchange; Mrs Gray, who by selling Tui’s Annual, helped the branch funds by £8; Mrs M’Dowell, for taking charge of cookery books; Mrs M'Donald, for keeping the finance and taking charge of the W.D. quilt; Mrs Irwin, for addressing 500 envelopes for us and acting as badge secretary; Mrs King, for help on the Social Committee; Mrs Neiderer, Mrs Smith, Mrs Evans, and Mrs Arnott, for their help at all times; Mrs Russell, for her work with the library and housekeepers; our older members, especially Mrs Chewings, for the help and inspiration she has been to us all; the press, for publicity and courtesy; and Mrs Perkins, for adding the largest number of new members to the roll. We have had a happy and successful year, due solely to the fine spirit of helpfulness that has continued among us. If we strive to esteem others better than ourselves we shall find the joy of service. At the conclusion of the president’s address Mrs King moved a hearty vote of thanks, seconded by Mrs Evans, and carried by acclamation.

The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs Ward (re-elected) ; vicepresidents—Mesdames Russell, Smith, and Gray; secretary and treasurer, Miss M'Kenzie (re-elected); recording and press secretary, Miss Henderson (reelected) ; committee—Mesdames King, Forrest, Perkins, M'Culloch, Officer, Irwin, Boyd, McDonald, M'Dowell, M'Leod, Chewings, Munro, Arnott, Clarke, T. H. Anderson, Evans, Henderson, Orr, Lokan, M‘Lean, and Sim; delegates to Provincial Executive, Mesdames Chewings and M'Dowell; delegates to Dominion Conference—Mesdames Ward, Neiderer, Russell, and Smith; housekeeping advisory members, Mesdames Chewings and M‘DowelL The first annual meeting of the Southland Executive was held recently. Mrs Neiderer presided over 45 delegates from all over Southland. The secretary submitted her report and balance sheet, showing a credit balance of £6 3s sd. The president reported that the markets in Invercargill and Gore were proving a suitable outlet for members to dispose of all surplus produce, etc. The housekeepers’ scheme, under the able management of Mrs Russell, still remained one of the division’s .most useful and appreciated activities. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mrs Russell submitted the housekeeping report. Thirty-three homes were visited, and 12 housekeepers and one probationer employed during the year. The scheme had been financially sound. Mrs Ward and Mrs Orr spoke in support of the scheme and warmly congratulated Mrs Russell upon her capable management of it.

The election of office-bearers resulted: President, Mrs O. E. Neiderer; vicepresidents—Mesdames W, Ward, J. Stewart, W. Orr, Smith, and M'lntosh; secretary, Miss J. C. Henderson; housekeeping secretary, Mrs Russell; committee, presidents of branches; special Finance Committee —Mesdames Neiderer, Ward, Stewart, W. Orr, T. S. Smith, MTntosh, and the treasurer; Economic

Committee (to confer with Farmers’ Union Economic Committee) —Mesdames Neiderer, Ward, Orr; and Smith. Several remits were considered, and business in connection with the market, etc., discussed, and the methods adopted approved of.

Although the primary object of the members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union in coming to town was the business in connection with the annual meeting, a number of social functions were included in their programme. Immediately following the annual meeting, the Otago Home Economics Association entertained the delegates to the Women’s Institutes to afternoon tea at the Home Science building. The large lecture room was prettily arranged with flowers, and a very dainty afternoon tea, concluding with homemade ice-creams, was served. Mrs Strong welcomed the guests, and Miss Stops (Women’s Institutes), Mrs Drake (Women’s Division), and Mrs S. M. Park (Home Economics Association) also made short speeches of thanks. On Tuesday evening the Farmers’ Union Fire Insurance Association invited the members of the Farmers’ Union and the members of the Women’s Division to a party in the Otago Women's Club. Mr A. C. Cameron, who was in charge of the proceedings, had some quite novel ways of breaking up the little groups that usually form at these functions and before long the party, although a very large one—close on 250 people —was just one happy family. A very fine programme was provided by the following artists:—Songs, Aliss Agnes Guy, Miss Watson, and Mr Watt; recitations. Mr Sutherland and Mr H. P. West; accompanists, Mrs H. C. Campbell and Mrs Walmsley. Supper was served in the dining room of the club, bell and Mrs Walmsley. Supper was following which Miss G. Mackintosh gracefully thanked the hosts for their hospitality. On Thursday morning a most enjoyable and instructive visit was paid to Messrs Ross and Glendining’s mills, and to Messrs Ellis and Co.’s mattress factory. The visitors were shown over the mills in 10 parties, and morning

tea was provided by the management in the dining room at the mills. Before leaving the grounds Mr T. C. Ross, on behalf of the management, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large party, and also remarked that they would see that a large section of the machinery was not working, and they could absorb 150 more employees if the whole of the plant was being used. A vote of thanks was passed on behalf of the Women’s Division, and great pleasure was expressed on all sides at the privilege they had enjoyed in going over the works.' Delegates walked from Messrs Ross and Glendining’s mill to Ellis and Co.’s.factory, which they were then shown over. The filling of eiderdown quilts and cushions was of special interest to many of the delegates. Mrs Jasper Clark, in a very happy speech, expressed thanks on behalf of the visitors, and said that it had been most interesting to note the use of waste material in the manufacture of both mattresses and cushions.

The monthly meeting of the Upper Waitaki branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Otekaike Hall on May 31. Mrs W. P, Cameron presided over a large attendance of members, and after the usual routine business had been disposed of, papers were read on various subjects. It was decided to obtain boxes from the Home Science Extension Bureau, which contain patterns and instructions for making different articles. The usual social hour was passed in conjunction with the branch of the Farmers’ Union, when supper was served by the ladies, to whom was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.