WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 2

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

MEETING AT I’ATEA. The first meeting for 1939 of the Palea Women’s institute was well attended on Friday with a full agenda. The president, Mrs. A. A. Carey, welcomed visitors, and Mrs. C. Beauchamp back, after illness. The Disabled Soldiers’ Association thanked the W.I. for kindness in dis-

posing of their goods. Miss McCarty expressed thanks on behalf of her mother and self for expressions of sympathy in their recent bereavement. Mrs. C. V. Whittington in tendering her resignation wished the Institute to make N.Z. a better place to live in The Plunket Society expressed thanks for the entry in the recent Plunket fete. The Dominion Council advised that members should now commence making articles for the Dominion Centennial Exhibition. Articles from materials of natural resources were specially asked for. The council had also made a special charge of Maori Development work. £l5O had been raised for the Chinese I refugee fund, which was now closed, | and it was hoped institutes would sup- | port the Maori work. ( The president asked members to ! consider suggestions for a fitting Centennial Memorial. A calander was received from the branch at Ecleston, the Patea link in the Homeland. The president reported having corresponded with Mrs. Ransom, Dilston, Tasmania, on various matters, and she had now been made an honourary I member of that branch. It was I unanimously decided to make Mrs. Ransom an honourary member of the Patea branch. The Kakaramea W.I. advised the date of their flower show, February 25. The president stated that the date would probably be altered, as it clashed with Beach Gala Day, which she asked members to support as the beach was a distinct asset to the town. The president suggested the formation of a Tramping Club as a sub-branch of the W.1., to further the ideals of Fitness Week. The performers who helped at the drama evening were thanked. Miss Monaghan, of Hawera, is to give a demonstration of dressmaking to members on Friday, 10th. inst., at 2.30 p.m. The annual meeting Io be held at the March meeting will be held on the 10th., instead of 3rd.

Nominations for president and comi mittee were received. Mrs. A. A. i Carey was the only nomination re- : ceived for the position of president ; and the following were nominated for the committee: Mesdames H. Peacocke, G. Hilliar, L. T. Adams, W. White, J. Gunn, D. Roots, G. Laing, R. E. Moore, A. A. Gillon, Davidson, G. Mercer, H. A. Boswell, Misses L. Carey, R. Locker.

Mrs. L. G. Morris, Kakaramea, gave an interesting and instructive demonstration on “Pen Painting,” displaying some excellent articles completed.

Competitions resulted.—Best bloom: 1 Mrs. A. A. Gillon 1, Mrs. C. Beauchamp 2. Three onions: Mrs. Gillon 1. Christmas cake: Mrs. G. Hurley . 1, Mrs. Martin 2. Hostesses were Mesdames T. E. Roberts, J. Power, T. Nelson, F. Pari sons, N. Mitchell. 1 Dr. W. T. Simmons and 1 Mr. J. Peacocke waited on the W.I. on behalf of the Defence League, seeking members’ co-operation. Dr. Simmons said that afew months ago the Territorials had been formed to try and stimulate defence, but unfortunately the volunteer system seemed dead. The Defence League was formed to try and impress the Government with the necessity to take steps in the defence of N.Z. which was lagging behind other countries, but the Government was against compulsory training. The greater majority of the younger people were growing up with no military training at all. The boys used to enjoy the 10 days in camp when training was compulsory, as it improved their physique, was often the only holiday they had and they met agreeable companions. At the present time there was a great deal of waste time with the 40-hour week, that the young men could employmore profitably by entering the Territorials. The plans of the Defence League were compulsory training. The physique of the youth of coun-

tries were training was compulsory was very good, but in New Zealand it was below standard. The league did not advocate expeditionary forces but that the men should be amply trained to defend the country if necessary. There were not 3000 fully trained men in the present 9000 training and there should be 30 to 40,000 fully trained. He did not encourage a warlike spirit but it was necessary in the world as it was to-day to be fully prepared and N.Z. was not. In explaining the aims of the league, Mr. Peacocke said it was not only the man in the front lines but I the civilian population had to be fully organised and that meant the women would be called upon for cooperation; It was proposed, shortly to call a meeting of ladies to form al committee.

The president, assured the league that they would have the co-operation of the W.I. in anything to do with the defence of the country, and a motion supporting this was unanimously] passed.