WOMEN’S DIVISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1942, Page 2

WOMEN’S DIVISION

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA EXECUTIVE PREVALENCE OF DRINKING. MOTION DEMANDING REFORMS. A meeting of the Wairarapa Executive of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday. Mrs K. Groves presiding. In answer to a questionnaire members were overwhelmingly in favour of the conference being abandoned. A final decision would be made at the end of April. It was reported that the proposed garden party in aid of the Rest Home at Palmerston North had been abandoned but branches were urged to make special invididual efforts and forward the resulting funds. A discussion took place on the prevalence of the drink habit and its degrading effects and the following motion was carried: (1) That a letter be sent to the Ministers’ Association urging that it confer with the licensees and come to an agreement, on the lines of those arrived at in Auckland; (2) That the Advisory Board be communicated with and urged to bring before Cabinet the effect of drink in sabotaging the war effort and that a deputation approach the Advisory Board; (3) That the women of New Zealand should combine and march to Parliament House and demand reforms in the liquor traffic as a first line measure of defence; (4) That the executive write to the Temperance Alliance assuring it of the support of the Wairarapa Executive in the enforcement of the present laws and in any projected liquor reform. Several remits were approved to be forwarded to the next conference. ■ Mrs J. Andrews, houeskeeping secretary, reported on the activities of the Women's Division housekeepers. Assistance had been given to country mothers in dire need of help. Great satisfaction was felt in the scope of the work as filling a real national need.