WOMEN’S DIVISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1942, Page 3

WOMEN’S DIVISION

MASTERTON BRANCH MEETING assistance on farms. COMFORTS FOR MERCHANT SEAMEN. The first meeting of the year of the Masterton branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Rest Room yesterday afternoon, Mrs C. C. Jackson being in the chair. There were also present: Mesdames C. H. McKenzie, E. J. Wright, J. Gray, W. James, McLean, A. Ross, Pike, A. C. Burling, K. Groves, T. R. Barrer, Kemble Welch and Miss G. Bennett. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs D. Simpson (Marton) in the death of a son; Mrs H. Falloon (who has a son reported missing), Miss A. Brown (who is in hospital), and to all wives and mothers who had suffered bereavements. It was reported that owing to petrol restrictions the afternoon tea provided for hospital patients had to be cancelled. Mrs Wright reported that all the wool received for the making of comforts for merchant seamen had been either knitted or was in process of knitting. The following were ready for packing: 6 pullovers, one balaclava, 8 scarves, 3 pairs of strong gloves, 2 pairs socks, 2 caps, 1 pair sea stockings, and 1 pair mittens. Sergeant Don Griffiths, of Levin, was the pilot of the plane subscribed for by the Division. Sergeant Griffiths, who was 19 years of age, was reported to be the youngest pilot in the New Zealand Fighter Squadron. The proposed garden party in aid of the Rest House at Palmerston North had had to be abandoned owing to the petrol shortage. The Rest Home was full of guests. An appeal was made for individual branches to forward donations in place of the garden party. A donation of 5 guineas was made. It was decided to postpone the Division’s conference.

The representative of the committee for the entertainment of soldiers, Mrs Kemble Welch, reported on the work of the committee. Sports, concerts, dances, swimming competitions, basketball, teas and suppers, etc., were being arranged. Mrs C. C. Jackson reported on a meeting (attended by herself and Mrs K. Groves) of the Farmers’ Union, to make arrangements to carry on vital work on farms when in the case of an emergency the farmers were absent on Home Guard duty. It was decided to investigate the position as to whether affiliation with the E.P.S. were possible. In each district a list of members able to do extra duties in such an event is to be compiled. Such duties would include milking, minding children, feeding animals, etc. ‘ A competition for the greatest number of articles in a handbag was won by Mrs Pike, with a miscellaneous assortment of 71 articles, exclusive of money; Mrs McLean, 67; and Mrs A. C. Gawith, 36, were second and third. The small bring and buy and jumble stall brought over £5. Mrs W. James was granted the use of a room for classes, etc. Two of the Maori trainees from the Rest Home were in positions in the district, and a housekeeper had been placed in charge of a home where the mother was absent in a maternity hospital. The following new members were elected: Mesdames O. Callaghan (Opaki), Hansen, Hamish, McLean (Kopuaranga), Kummer (Te Wharau), Kemble Welch and Miss M. Welch Junr.