THE WOMEN'S DIVISION.

Shannon News, 4 October 1927, Page 1

THE WOMEN'S DIVISION.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN? Why should women who live on, and by, the land be asked to join up with Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union? Because it wll strengthen the Farmers’ Union. Increased membership means increased power. It is numbers that count when it comes to -helping the farmer in his fight for better conditions for himself, his wife and his children. The women-on-the-land are voters, and as such have equal rights with their men. They are affected by taxation and by all the general conditions that affect men, and it is well that such a large body of voters should be within the organisation. The farmer and his wife are one — they are partners. How could it be otherwise, when the growth of his business daily spreads itself before his eyes? There has never been a successful farmer who was not backed by the loyal support and co-operation of his wife. Woman’s work is different; her viewpoint is different, but where there is a definite purpose the farmer and his wife work together for that cause. It is only by this co-operation that the home and the farm is built up. The moral and social problems of the district can only be solved by the*aid and sympathy of its women, when organised. The individual worker achieves very little. There is no limit to the good that can be achieved by co-opera-tive effort, but one must not lose sight of the individual, benefit that comes to each little community, and each member of a branch. Without such an organisation as the Women's Division the woman on the. land is apt to drift along day by day with nothing to call her attention to the problems which she has been given the responsibility—a franchise freely given—of helping to solve, but let her come in contact with her neighbours at the regular monthly meetings of the branch, let her be drawn into discussion, and her outlook will be broadened a hundred-fold.

- It is this broadening of the social and intellectual life of the women on the land, that is one of the most convincing arguments in favour of the Women’s Division. Once a member life becomes more interesting. The work of the Division touches every activity, every interest, of the community.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world is only true when the said hand is guided by an intelligence that cakes into account the world’s activities. Women’s sphere extends beyond the home to the community and the whole is greater than its part. Branches of the Women’s Division can accomplish wonderful improvements in community life—a body of -women working together can raise the whole standard of education for country children; but even better than that is the fine ■spirit of co-operation and good fellowship engendered between parents and ,eacher which is the secret of a successful school.

After the welfare of the young people come the adults of the community. Rest rooms, community halls, book clubs, Farmers’ Union sports days and ihe like —material gains these, but the greatest gain again is the community spirit —the spirit of unity for the common good. Hence the Women’s Division is of distinct benefit to the community because of awakened interest in community conditions and the possibility by organised efforts to improve those conditions.* It is also of benefit to the larger life of the nation, ..because any stimulation of mental activity must bring increased interest in public affairs and any co-operative efforts towards the betterment of social, economic and moral conditions with its cumulative effect on public opinion must make for a higher standard in the home, the community and the national life.

And to this end all effort must originate with the woman on the land herself, the person most concerned, and then through her own organisation only will the final benefits be attained. It’s numbers that count when one wants to get things done. The Women’s Division possesses one great advantage which is lacking in all other organisations — it lias the solid backing of the Farmers ’ Union as an organisation—no slight thing when it comes to working for better legislation or any kind of reform.