WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 594, 27 July 1933, Page 3

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

(Special to "Post.")

ANNUAL iREPORT OF N.Z. FEDERATION REYEALS PROGRESS. CONFERE1NCE AT CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch, Wednesday. The annual report of the New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes, presented to the conference in Christchurch to-da.y, stated that the movement had progressed beyond all expectations. There were now 635 instij cutes, with an approximate memhership of 30,000. This membership covered fifteen federations, an increase j of two, with several more to .be form- ! ed in the near future. A gratifying j developmenb with the remarkable pro- ; gress during the year had been the | co-operation with agricultural and hor1 ticultural societies, and the institutes had the privilege of participating in the Home Science Extension Scheme ! under the guidance of Miss Violet j Macmillan, B.H.Sc., holder of the Sarah Ann Rhodes Fellowship. The institutes had made close contact with the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League, Miss Jerome Spencer having been elected to the council and Mrs. Kelso to the executive. In November of last year the first Dominion ' handcrafts •exhibition was staged in Wellington. The standard of workmanship in crafts was steadily improving, and women were using the materials at hand — wool and skins especially being utilised in many practical forms. An endeavour was made to find a wider market for New Zealand butter and honey, many institutes sending igifts to their "links." A gratifying response had been received in the warm interest shown in New Zealand through the medium of letters and gifts. The social side of the institutes had advanced alongside with the work. Following the friendly arbitration of the Governnor-General, the constitution had been xeviewed by a delegation from the Dominion and Auckland executives, with the result that the constitution as adopted at the last conference was amended. The "executive desired that the amended constitution be tried out for this year at least. In this connection the Dominion exexecutive desired to place on record its very igreat appreciation of the interest in women's institutes shown by His Excellency the Governor-General, not only in this mattei*, but at all times. In view of Miss Spencer' s forthcoming visit to England, the executive asked her to represent the country-

women's organisations at Stockh'olm, associating with her Miss Large, official representative on the Liaison Committee, London. The Rest Cottage Scheme dnaugurated at Paraparaumu Beach in September, . 1932, aroused much interest and proved a stimulus to other federations, an outstanding example being the cottage opened at The Mount by the Bay of Plenty Federation. The scheme has been well backed by members, and the cottages appear to meet a want in their areas.

Some kmd of msurance or well are scheme seemed to be indicated in connection with rest cottages, to enable those who most need the change to take advantage of it, if not in a financial position to do so themselves. The executive requested the institutes to look into the question of headquarters finance and to ease the eonstant strain on the energy of those at headquarters who have been nedeavouring, not 'unsuccessfully, to make brieks without straw.