WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1938, Page 8

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

GROWTH IN NEW ZEALAND s RECORD OF REMARKABLE i ACHIEVEMENT (By Telegraph—Press Association). ! WELLINGTON, This Day. The number of women’s institutes ! | in New Zealand is now 900, according ■ to the annual report of the Dominion , Federation of Women’s Institutes, which will be presented at today’s conference, opening at the Town Hall. The report is a remarkable record of achievement. The growth of the movement has spread to the most remote corners of the rural districts of both islands, and a notable recent addition to the institute family is the Chatham Islands, which has been included in the Hutt Valley federation. It is anticipated that an institute will shortly come into being at Rarotonga. The increase in Maori institutes is also encouraging. Most of the federations of institutes have received visits from the president, Mrs W. Deans, of Darfleld, members of the executive, or the Dominion organiser, and it has been found that the visits of executive members to council meetings have been of much mutual benefit. Pleasure is expressed that the Government has given a grant to help with Maori work. Though it was not sufficient to cover all the work, it was a great help. The opinion is expressed that the women’s institutes are ideal for the improvement of Maori homes, and it is suggested that this work . should become a first responsibility. The executive states its opinion’that ' the time has come for fully-trained teachers and lecturers. The national executive in England has placed at ’ the .disposal of the organisation here details of what is done by the Gov- , eminent in Great Britain to help the W.I. movement. With regard to na- , tional questions here, approval is ex- j pressed by the Adult Education Coun- ( cil, and Mrs Barrer has been appoint- ( ed both by the W.D.F.U. and the W.I. , of New Zealand as a representative on ; that council. .

A maternity commission and help’in the homes are both dealt with in the report, and suggestions are made for the relief of the women in the country from their desperately hard work. Interest is expressed in the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association, the National Council of Women, in the Red Gross, and other organisations for the good of the people of the nation. Resolutions have been formulated to be sent to the Government, and interest is being shown in the centennial celebrations.

Correspondence schools met with the approval of the Women’s Institute and they have kept in touch with the Associated Countrywomen of the World, and have been represented at their conference.

Pioneer tales are being collected for publication. A description is given of all the many branches of handcraft, and the efforts taken to make the best of everyone, the Maoris being brought into this section.

The following questions have been brought forward: —(1), The need for cheaper oranges. (2) A national scheme for home service. (3) The need for a school for subnormal children in the North Island. (4) The formation of new Maori women’s divisions. (5) Immigration. (6) Representations of national bodies on the Dominion Council of the N.C.W. Both organisations have approved of national representation, and the co-ordinating committee have approached the N.C.W. on this matter.

Those attending the Exhibition associated with the Women’s Institute Conference in Wellington showed considerable interest in the attractive stall of Hansell Laboratories Ltd., Masterton —the Essence Specialists of N.Z. The display included the now famous Hansell’s Cloudy Food Flavourings, Hansell’s Milko, Hansell’s Beau Brocade Bath Essences and Hand Lotion, and many other of their well-known culinary and toilet products manufactured by this progressive firm. 4