WOMEN’S DIVISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1942, Page 4

WOMEN’S DIVISION

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA EXECUTIVE ALL SUPPORT PROMISED. IN PRODUCTION DRIVE. A well attended meeting of flic Wairarapa Executive of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday in the Rest Room. King Street. Mrs K. Groves was in the chair. A deputation was appointed to approach the Dominion Advisory Board urging its active support in various measures for a further reduction of the liquor traffic. Many letters and telegrams were received conveying sympathy for earthquake damage. Donations of groceries and money were received for distribution to cases of need. Mrs J. Andrew, presenting the Housekeeping report, showed that excellent work had been done. The demand was much greater than the supply. Maternity cases and those where there were young children received first consideration. In a report on the Rest Home at Palmerston North it was stated that heavy earthquake damage had been suffered by the building, which was also badly in need of painting at further heavy cost. It was arranged that reports of Wairarapa executive meetings should be given, to branches by their delegates in turn. A disedssion took place as to the collection of waste metal, rubber, etc., which often was not utilised owing to the difficulty of transport. It was decided to endeavour to arrange with Ihe Wairarapa Transport Company to collect the waste material free of charge, if the material was placed at gates along the line of route.

Mr R. 11. Brewerton, of the Primary Production Council, who addressed the meeting. said that he was there because the executive committee believed that if the women understood the position of supply in New Zealand, their co-operation would be readily forthcoming. He quoted figures showing the necessity for a greatly increased effort in the supply of all classes of farm produce and vegetables. The foolish and misguided criticism of lads kept at home for production purposes made their position at times very difficult. Amongst girls also the present trend was for the romance of Army. Navy or Air Force work and a uniform. Women should use their influence to show that, farm production was a front line job. the importance of which could not be too highly rated. In the Wairarapa. while there are 140,000 acres suitable for wheat growing, only 7,500 acres would be sown next year. Labour from camps would be available for those requiring it for preparing ground and harvesting crops. Mr Brewerton met with a most sympathetic response. In answer to questions he stated that arrangements would have to made for the disposal of surplus produce; that the question of uniforms for Land Girls was under consideration, as also was that of an all wheaten loaf.

In reply to a suggestion that shipping space for imported barley could be saved if a lesser quantity were made available to breweries, he said that he was personally in favour of the proposal. Mr Brewerton was heartily thanked for his address, and all possible support was promised.