MOTHERS’ UNION.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 310, 17 October 1929, Page 3

MOTHERS’ UNION.

—■—<► I DOMINION COUNCIL MEETING, j I I 3 i i i \ I s T c € t r

An important meeting of the Dominion Council. of the Mothers’ Onion was held in Wellington on Wednesday, October 2, at which Mrs. C. W. Turner, of Matamata, represented as president the Waikato diocese. The following officers were appointed : President, Mrs. WestWatson (wife of the Bishop of Christchurch); vice-president, Mrs. i Averill (wife of the Archbishop); secretary, Mrs. Roberts (Christchurch). After the meeting the ladies were motored to Bishopscourt, where Mrs. Sprott entertained them at afternoon tea.

The following are extracts of local interest from the fourth annual report:— “ In presenting the fourth annual report of the E/jminion Council in New Zealand your executive is glad to be able to report a quiet, steady growth in membership, new branches having been formed in all dioceses, the total number being 174, members 5459, approximately, an increase of 26 branches and 459 members. “ Early in the year your president (Lady Alice Fergusson) issued a circular letter dealing with the sanctity of marriage, in which members were urged not to dwell on the nega-] tive subject of divorce but to study the positive side, the achievement of happy, successful marriages. “ Mothering Sunday was again well observed by many branches. “ The Dominion president has, whenever possible, addressed meetings of members. “ Many young mothers are coming forward to join the union. “We regret that the position is just the same with regard to the Bible in Schools Bill.

)“ Not quite so many litanies and cards have been sold this year, as I most of the dioceses' have been well f supplied with the new publications—- | cards 512, litanies 168, badges 588. j Summary of Diocesan Reports. I ' “Auckland. The Mothers’ Union ' in the Auckland diocese suffered a great loss this year in the passing of their diocesan' secretary, M'rs. Beaumont, who for nine years had given constant and faithful service to the work of the union. Mrs. Simkin has been appointed diocesan

secretary and is carrying on the work most ably. During the year seven new branches have been formed. Branches report good work being done and new members being enrolled. The seven new branches formed during the year are greatly owing to the untiring effort of the organising secretary, Miss Griffin. Number of branches 38, members 1305, linked branches 9, M.I.C. 24, M.U.J. 300, M.I.A. 18, W.P. 24, tribute £4 5s 6d. “Waikato. —At the annual meeting in June the following officers were elected : Diocesan president, Mrs. Turner (Matamata); diocesan secretary, Mrs. Clark (Hamilton). There is every hope that Mothers’ Union work will advance in this diocese. Members are becoming interested, and we have good hopes for the future. Number of branches 9, members (approximately) 160.