W.D.F.U.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 350, 7 August 1930, Page 3

W.D.F.U.

brilliant ball. The social event of the year, as uie annual dance of the Women’s Division of the Farmer’s Union hal become known, took place on Tnursday evening-. The i-utaruru Town Hall was tastefully decorated with from Th 80l + libbons > suspended from the centre of the hall, while the walls were hidden by masses of greenery, tied in the centre with golden coloured ribbons. Nikau palms aaded an attractive toucr-. The stage was arranged as a drawing loom, and with easy chairs and rugs it proved popular with the older members oi the gathering as a sit-tmg-out place. The attendance was laige, town and country being strongly represented. The scene was a brilliant one as the many beautiful dresses of the ladies sparkled under the electric light. Caps worn by many of the dancers added to the carnival spirit. The ball programme was interspersed with old time dances, which were appreciated by the older generation. The Revellers’ Orchestra provided first-class music, while Mr. J. Halkett as M.C. spared no efforts in the discharge ot his duties. The supper was excellent. The festivities were continued until an early hour. Mrs. Barnes and Mr- K. Barnes played the extras. A spot waltz competition was won by Mrs. Mullane and - Pass. A strong committee worked hard to make the function a success, and the 1930 ball of the W-D.P.U. was voted the best yet, a just tribute to the committee’s efforts. ADDRESS BY MRS. POLSON.

On Saturday members of the Putaruru branch of the Women’s Division met Mrs. Poison, the founder of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, who chanced to be visiting Putaruru. Mrs. Poison was in-

troduced by the president, Mrs. Campbell.

After congratulating 1 the local | branch on having commenced negotiations for the building of a rest room, Mrs. Poison gave a few interesting concerning the general management of other rest rooms, which other Women’s Division branches had built, and touched upon the varied uses to which such buildings were put. The question whether medical students should be admitted to St. He ] e ™s Homes was also discussed, and Mrs. Poison urged the local branch to think over the matter and submit their decision to the Government, on the grounds that the mattei was a vital one to country women. It was pointed out that a certain number of practical cases must be handled by medical students before such students were qualified to practice on their own account. If the means of this study were not supplied in New Zealand, the students would require to go abroad—a very expensive proceeding—otherwise the country districts would be served by inefficient men. In this respect also, Mrs. Poison mentioned the fact that for every 50 mothers lost in the towns, 80 died in the country.

Mrs. Poison stated that a new farming monthly was to be established next year, to which it was

j hoped the majority of farmers would j subscribe. This journal was to be a first-class production, contributed to Iby experts on economic conditions r throughout the world, on all points i of interest to farmers, and also on women’s interests. A women's exchange was to be inaugurated by means of which country women would be able to sell various home products, sewing, etc , as a means of acquiring pocket money. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs. Poison for her interesting address.

the conclusion of the meeting an adjournment was made to Mrs. bimpson’s tea-rooms, where a dainty afternoon tea was served.