WOMEN’S DIVISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1943, Page 3

WOMEN’S DIVISION

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA EXECUTIVE REST HOMES ACQUIRED SPECIAL YEARLY EFFORT NEEDED A meeting of the Wairarapa executive of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held at the Rest Room, King Street, yesterday, Mrs K. Groves being in the chair. It was announced that the division had acquired Melrose by gift, and two other rest homes by purchase at Nelson and Waimate respectively. The three rest homes would be financed from the community chest and branches were asked to make a special effort each year to raise funds for the purpose. A lot of work required to be done to put these beautiful properties in running order, but they were valuable assets for the division, and in line with its main function of safeguarding the health of New Zealand countrywomen, especially mothers.

The housekeeping report (Mrs J. Andrews) ‘ showed that the valuable work of assisting sick country women was continually availed of. The supply of housekeepers was the only limit. It was pointed out that the work of these housekeepers was of truly national importance. Mrs C. K. Wilson spoke on the decline of population. History showed that civilisations were at their best in the period of struggle, that when they became “spoon fed” they began to define. The death agony of a race was a terrible process. Much of the problem was economic. A girl in a factory was protected _ in wages, hours of work and conditions of employment. There was today one protection for mothers. The speaker said a motherhood endowment that provided the whole cost of adequate provision for her children should be the responsibility of the community. This should include not only hospital care, but a Karitane nurse, a good home, space and sunshine, and all the requirements of childhood. After hearing an address on the matter. the following resolution was unanimously passed for submission to the Prime Minister and the B.M.A.:— “That this meeting of the Wairarapa Executive representing 600 women, protests against the shocking travesty of British justice exemplified by the summary dismissal without trial of the only woman medical officer of the N.Z. Air Force for conscientiously carrying out duties assigned to her.”