WOMEN’S DIVISION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 16 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S DIVISION

NEED TO CARRY ON SHORTAGE OF HOUSEKEEPERS Since the outbreak of war there has been a tendency for members of different organisations not definitely of a wartime character, partially or wholly to cease their efforts. In some cases branches of the W.D.F.U. have discontinued their meetings. Women, specially, feel that they want to be up and doing in some war work. Apart from the fact that the emergency demanding such war work is fortunately not yet—and may never be—with us, it has been pointed out many times by those in authority, that it is more than ever necessary to carry on with the ordinary routine, and with even more than usual zeal. This certainly applies to the work of the W.D.F.U. The increasing shortage of farm labour, coupled with the demand for more production, will make the lot of the already overworked farm wife more than ever difficult. The secretary’s report at conference in July showed a decline in the number of registered housekeepers, whose services it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, while the supply of casual housekeepers has almost ceased. This has been due to a variety of causes, among which must be numbered recent Government legislation. The pensions of £1 a week provided by the Social Security Act for childless widows, is a case in point. The conditions of the Act apply to widows between the ages of 50 and 60 who, in addition to their pensions, are now not permitted to earn more than £1 a week. Such widows were formerly a source of supply for house assistance. If capable they could, as housekeepers, readily earn the same amount of money and their board and lodging in addition. Now they will accept work for only two days a week, or some other partial position bringing in £1 a week, so the supply of casual help for the city mothers is reduced, as well as the W.D. supply of housekeepers. Help for Country Mothers There can be no better form of patriotic work than help afforded to New Zealand mothers, and far from slackening in their efforts, members should increase them to the utmost. One wonders, indeed, whether during shearing and harvesting, additional corps of voluntary workers might not be formed to go to the assistance of country mothers during those especially busy seasons. During the past few weeks consultation among the International Council of the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association has resulted in a recommendation that the conference to have been held in Wellington next January be postponed. In this decision the New Zealand committee concurs. All arrangements made in New Zealand are therefore suspend-, ed for the time being. Application for inclusion in the delegation need not be made now until further notice. Applications already received will be held until required. Similarly, application for season-tickets for the conference need not be made now until further notice. Those who have already paid are asked to notify the treasurer, Miss F. L. Cooper, 196 Hereford Street, Christchurch, if they wish their fee returned or held by the treasurer until conference preparations are resumed. The New Zealand executive hopes sincerely that study groups will continue to function. Now, more than ever before, we need knowledge and clarity of thought, so that our influence, when peace comes, can be used with wisdom and compassion. TE MATA BRANCH There was a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the Te Mata branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union held in October. On a request from the Raglan Red Cross Society for the branch to help with the supper at the forthcoming Red Cross Society ball, it was decided to send a donation from the branch. An invitation was received from the Raglan branch to their birthday party on October 25. The president read a message from Mrs Smith, Dominion secretary, and the monthly message from Mrs Noel Adams, the text contained ir* each paper being warmly applauded by the branch. Mrs Percy Adams gave a report of the meeting of the South Auckland Provincial Council which had

been held in Hamilton about a week previously. Mrs Howie Watkins returned thanks to the Women'. ! Division for assistance given to the '[ Plunket effort recently held in Te j Mata. ! An interesting competition, given by Miss Brown, was won by Mrs Frank Vernon, who was accorded a ' hearty welcome as a new member. Hostesses for the afternoon were Mrs W. J. McCracken and Miss F. j Bregmen. NGARUA BRANCH The Ngarua branch of the Women L I Division of the Farmers’ Union hei rits monthly meeting in the local hai [ recently, Mrs W. Scott presiding. On i new member was enrolled. The memj bership of the branch now stands |at 50 with four junior members, | which is a very satisfactory position. | Invitations were received from j Waitoa, Tahuna, and Patetonga, to ; be present at their birthday celebra- : tions. Reports were given of the j rally held in Morrinsville. Mrs A. j Donovan, a past president of the branch, who has been in ill-health for a time, sent i her resignation .is delegate to the Piako executive, and Mrs F. Reeve, secretary, was appointed. Mrs D. Sealey offered to take Mrs Donovan’s place on the crippled children’s committee. The competition for a child’s garment, not costing more than Is 6d, was won by Mrs Lamb, with Mrs Thomlinson second, Mrs Kettle third, Mrs Reid fourth, and Mrs Scott fifth. Mrs Sealey was the winner of the cake competition. It was decided that next months’ competition be for a knitted scarf and balaclava cap which will be handed over to the Red Cross Society after being judged. A sales table, the funds to be I used for war work of the branch, 1 did excellent business. The hostesses were Mesdames S. C. Carter, C. Walker, and R. Harris. KARAKA BRANCH There was a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the Karaka branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, presided over by Mrs A. W. Howie. A demonstration in copper work, which caused considerable interest, was given by Mrs Sloane. Two songs sung by Miss Beverley Stubbs were thoroughly enjoyed. Mrs Howie thanked and presented Mrs Sloane and Miss Stubbs with posies. A competition was won by Mrs Moss. It was decided not to devote any funds to patriotic purposes in the meantime. The hostesses were Mesdames Lewis and Montgomery. Competi- ' tions resulted as follows: Best bloom, Mrs Costar, Snr. 1, Mrs Sunley 2, Mrs G. Wood 3; pikelets, Mrs 1 Hobil 1, Mrs Heldt 2, Mrs Montgomery 3; best dressed clothes peg, Mrs Chapman, Mrs Appleby, equal, 1. ELSTOW SENIOR BRANCH Mrs H. S. Stembridge presided over a good attendance at the monthly meeting of the Elstow Senior branch of the Women’s Division. Members stood in silence in sympathy with fhe relatives of the late Mr"w. J McCormick. Invitations to the birth- 1 day celebrations of the Tahuna i and Patetonga branches were ac- I cepted. Mrs Johnson gave a detailed report of the recent Red Cross meet- I mg in Te Aroha and also reported on the provincial meeting held at Morrinsville. The competitions resulted as follows:—Best bloom, Mrs Thompson 1 Mrs J. Nicol and Mrs Allen, equal’ 2; wholempal scones, Mrs J. Nicol 1 ’ Mrs Thompson 2. Hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames E. Aplin, D. Thompson and C. Qualtrough.